Stow College

Insight into renewable energy in the Middle East

A Stow College lecturer was given an insight into renewable energy in the Middle East after he was awarded a scholarship to a prestigious International Conference in Oman as part of his Masters degree.

Senior lecturer in electrical and electronic engineering, Colin McIntosh is, with financial support from his employers, currently studying his MSc in Renewable Energy Technologies at Glasgow Caledonian University. During the course of his further education, Colin, from Newton Mearns, was awarded a scholarship taking him to Oman for an international conference on renewable energy.

With the ever-expanding Renewable Energy industry in mind, Stow College, as of August this year, will be offering students a Professional Development Award in Renewable Technologies in a bid to meet the needs of the Scottish renewable sector.

Colin was selected from a cross-section of 50 energy-based MSc students to attend an influential conference on global renewable energy solutions courtesy of the scholarship fund set up by Glasgow Caledonian University graduate and successful businessman Khalid Abdulrahim.

The International Conference on Renewable Technologies took place in Muscat, Oman, where Colin spent several days with a series of influential figures in the worldwide energy industry discussing key topics such as the current status of renewable energy resources and the challenges and opportunities in harnessing renewable energy resources and associated technologies.

Also on the agenda was the economics and efficiency of renewable energy systems, their reliability and maintenance and innovative approaches to their use. Case studies on solar and wind renewable energy systems were also on show to demonstrate how they operate in practice.

Colin commented: “When the College supported my request to continue my studies, little did I know that it would take me all the way to the Middle East.

“The College is always looking to provide courses that are relevant to employment opportunities and the Renewables sector is one such area. It is very interesting that the Gulf States are moving into the renewable sector, particularly when Oman is a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”