A Greener Future With Solar Thermal Training...
Would you enjoy helping others to save money and look after the environment? If you get trained and qualified in green engineering you can do just that! Whether you want to work in the UK or overseas, you could be installing equipment that saves CO2 consumption and cuts energy bills within months of starting a course. Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. Householders in the developed world know changes will have to come soon. We are all being encouraged to think more carefully about how we use energy, and where we can be more efficient.
British householders can get government grants for certain energy efficient improvements. As well as being good for the planet, this is also very good news for domestic installers with the right certifications and expertise. And so it makes a lot of sense to add some training on renewable energy to any regular electrical or plumbing course you do. 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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Which Technology Is Considered Green?
Naturally renewable resources are being converted into usable energy because of developments in 'green' technology.
So we can use sunshine, rain, wind and the tides to generate more power for ourselves. Clearly windmills have been in use for centuries, as have waterwheels - but neither are very practical for most domestic homes. Equipment that captures energy from the sun however can be perfect for most houses. That's why there's a need for skilled workers with green certifications.
Solar Technology
Domestic hot water pipes can be connected to solar water heaters to provide free heat to the system. Systems have been on sale in the UK for several decades, and the technology is now well understood. They are used in conjunction with conventional boilers or heating systems, and can provide most of the hot water for a UK family throughout the summer months. This lessens their impact on the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by something like 400 to 750 kg a year. There are two forms of collectors - namely evacuated tubes and flat plates. In order to collect the most heat possible from the sun, they should be installed on a roof that faces south.
To generate electricity, photovoltaic solar panels are used to capture the sun's energy. As with solar collectors that heat water, these cells need to be exposed to the most light and sun possible, so a south-facing roof is ideal. They also need an inverter to convert the direct current electricity to alternating current. This is then connected to the fuse board of the house to supply electricity for lighting and appliances.
Householders can expect a photovoltaic system to provide around 40 per cent of their annual electricity, and so reduce both their bills and carbon footprint significantly. If the household doesn't use all of their PV generated electricity, it's automatically fed back to the National Grid.
This year (2010) the government has stepped in to increase the amount of money energy companies have to pay for this recycled electricity.
Key factors that will impact the amount of electricity generated are the size of the system, the geographical location, the angle of the panels and any shading from buildings or trees etc.
Geo-Thermal Energy
Geo-thermal energy is heat from the sun that's naturally stored in the earth. Collector piping is placed down in the earth and fed with a special non-damaging solution that can't freeze. The solution flows through the pipes and collects heat which is taken to the heat pump. Underfloor heating can benefit most from the warmth provided by heat pumps. Although heat pumps use electricity, they can still be considered 'green' because they produce four to five times more electricity than they consume.
Green Engineering Training Courses
As you go through a study programme, your knowledge of replenishable energy sources and new technology will grow. Naturally you'll be taught the necessary electrical skills, and the basics of domestic plumbing. You'll also look into the various energy efficient systems - how they work and how to install them. As solar energy and heat pumps will give you the most work, you'd be sensible to focus on those. Green engineering training courses are developing all the time, as this exciting technology progresses. The green market is growing fast, and opportunities are increasing in existing domestic properties, new builds and social housing.
Work For Years To Come
The law now dictates that all homes sold in Britain must supply the new owners with an Energy Performance Certificate to illustrate energy usage and where efficiencies can be made. Sometimes suggested changes can reduce bills by many hundreds of pounds per annum.
And in many cases funding is available from the British government to help pay for this, providing the installations are fitted by certified trades people. That's merely the beginning though.
By the year 2016, the law states that all new houses will have to produce a minimum of 15 per cent of their energy from replenishable supplies. 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!
