A renewable energy specialist from Buchan has won through to the finals of a national contest.
Alex Fowlie, 25, of Longside, will be going head to head with Worcester young farmer Greg Davies in the Young Stars of Renewable Energy final being held at the Energy Now Expo, in Telford, on February 13.
They will present their ideas about how renewable technology could be improved and why. The winner, to be decided by a panel of industry experts, will receive a luxury hotel stay for two.
Mr Fowlie, who graduated with honours in business and accounting from Edinburgh University in 2010, is a business manager with Turriff-based Muirden Energy, run by former Grampian Country Food Group chairman Fred Duncan and his business partner, Dave Green.
Mr Fowlie’s entry on storing electricity generated from renewable resources impressed the contest’s judges.
He said storage would greatly assist the sector and allow wind turbines to generate power even when their supplies are not needed by the national grid.
He sees storing the power in fuel cells or through creating hydrogen as key to the future of renewables.
The expo showcases renewable energy opportunities available to agricultural and rural communities and is also open on February 12.
Expo organiser David Jacobmeyer said: “We were really impressed with Alex’s entry and are looking forward to hearing him expand on this. This is a great opportunity for both Alex and Greg.”