A Career In Renewable Energy With Green Engineer Certification
How would you like to get into an industry that is both cutting-edge and future-proof? If you get trained and qualified in green engineering you can do just that! People are increasingly looking at green energy systems to reduce their CO2 emissions - within twelve months from now you could be a certified installer of energy efficient equipment.
Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. Everyone is aware of the need to reduce their carbon emissions. Political leaders are striving to guide people towards greater energy efficiency by promoting and incentivising replenishable alternatives.
Those who replace old and poorly performing boilers in the UK can claim subsidies from the government. This means there's an increasing amount of installation work for properly accredited professionals.
And so if you're keen to learn how to be a plumber or an electrician, don't overlook the opportunities in the renewable energy market. And if you're already a qualified tradesman or woman, you might think about bolt-on green courses to add to your portfolio.
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Naturally Replenishable Resources
The term 'green technology' refers to anything that creates exploitable energy from our planet's natural resources. We can generate additional and efficient power supplies by utilising the sun, the tides and the wind.
Windmills and waterwheels have been around for a long time, but modern technology can now take advantage of solar power and geo-thermal energy to power homes and businesses. Trades people with green credentials can capitalise on this.
Energy From The Sun
Energy radiated from the sun can be converted into hot water through solar thermal systems. We've had solar thermal systems in Britain since the seventies, so today's models are now very well developed. Working alongside regular water heaters, these systems can supply the majority of hot water that will be needed by a family during the warmer months of the year.
Throughout a twelve month period, a system should be expected to deliver around half the total hot water requirement. There are two forms of collectors - namely evacuated tubes and flat plates. As might be expected, a south-facing roof is the ideal location for these collectors.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture energy from the sun and use it to generate electricity. Again, PV panels are designed to be attached to a roof or wall that is preferably south facing. As sunlight shines onto the panels an electric field is created that goes to an inverter inside the roof. This is then connected to the fuse board of the house to supply electricity for lighting and appliances. Solar electricity is renewable energy that doesn't release any carbon dioxide or other harmful pollutants. Home owners will reduce their bills and their carbon footprint. If the household doesn't use all of their PV generated electricity, it's automatically fed back to the National Grid.
In the UK energy companies by law have to pay agreed rates to householders per kilowatt hour of electricity, but this can vary depending on the tariff they're on. Installation of Solar PV panels usually comes under 'permitted development' which doesn't require planning permission. A quick check with the local authority will confirm this.
Geo-Thermal Energy
Solar energy is naturally stored in the ground - in the UK the ground source heat is constantly around 12 degrees centigrade. To retrieve that heat, several hundred metres of geothermal plastic piping is buried underground, and filled with an eco-friendly non-freezing solution. It absorbs the warmth as it circulates around the piping, and delivers it's heat to the connecting pump. The heat pump can then provide heating for houses by warming the water in radiators and underfloor heating systems. Although heat pumps use electricity, they can still be considered 'green' because they produce four to five times more electricity than they consume.
Progressive Evolution
As you go through a study programme, your knowledge of replenishable energy sources and new technology will grow. You can expect to study and qualify in certain essential electrical and plumbing skills, and gain newer certifications that cover green energy. Most of the domestic interest in the renewables market is focused on solar thermal solutions and heat pumps. It makes commercial sense to concentrate on these.
However, as technology and the law on environmental construction evolves, so too will training in this sector. Most green courses will include optional training on installing and maintaining various types of Rainwater Harvesting Systems that are commonly used in the UK.
A Future-Proof Career
An Energy Performance Certificate is now a legal requirement for all houses being sold in the UK - allowing buyers the chance to determine a property's typical fuel consumption, and gain advice on how it could do better. In some instances, changes can produce huge savings.
The government will give out grants when certain systems are installed by properly qualified installers. Let's look to the near future though. World leaders state that carbon emissions must be reduced, and consumers must turn to more renewable energy solutions.
The time is quickly coming when everyone will be looking for alternative energy solutions for their homes. Demand for skilled installers is about to soar!
