The 10th World Renewable Energy Congress & Exhibition opened in Scotland on July 21 and runs until July 25.
Global experts, policy makers, manufacturers and others interested in the supply, distribution, consumption and development of energy sources will participate in discussions at WREC 2008.

Hosted at Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), the event was opened by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond MSP, in the presence of the European Commission's director for Energy. It is being organized on behalf of the World Renewable Energy Network.

More than 100 countries are participating in WREC 2008, which has a strong academic focus and follows previous WREC events in Florence (2006), Denver (2004) and Cologne(2002).

A debate on the future of architecture, in the face of increased legislation to build energy efficient buildings incorporating emerging technologies, calls for new learning and training initiatives at all levels.

Presentations by UK institutions include:

a talk on 'London's Anthropogenic Heat Emissions - Implications for Building Design' presented by representatives from the University College London and Fulcrum First Consulting.

'Computational Tools for Low Energy Building Design: Capabilities and Requirements', presented by Professor Joe Clarke, director of Energy Systems Research Unit, at the University of Strathclyde.

The 'Impact of user behaviour on the heating season carbon footprint of naturally ventilated UK offices' given by the School of Civil Engineering & Environment at the University of Southampton.

'Renewable energy programme and policy in the UK', presented by the chief officer of UK Renewable Energy Association.

'Geothermal energy - worldwide status and prospects' presented by the president of the International Geothermal Association

'Passive & hybrid environmental strategies for public buildings' discussed by a professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge

'Buildings for a low carbon future' given by Cardiff University

'Biomass and biofuels in the UK', presented by the centre for environmental strategy at University of Surrey

'An investigation into using low-zero carbon technologies for maximum CO2 reduction in a mixed-use development' presented by an energy systems analyst at Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers, based in Poole.

'Open loop geothermal systems: benefits and risks' presented by senior groundwater modeler at Zenith International based in Bath.

A two day European workshop fostering debate between EU and the developing world takes place on July 22-23 with four technical sessions focused on wind, biomass, solar, ocean/hydro energy.

To view the week's conference programme go to wrec2008

The next World Renewable Energy Congress is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in May 2010.