Understand Energy and Sustainable Energy Technologies

Alternative energy is a growth industry. As the world moves away from its former reliance on fossil fuels, there is a need to explore greener alternatives. With awareness of global warming influencing world targets for carbon emissions the race is on to develop systems of energy production from renewable resources. Along with these emerging technologies comes a raft of new employment opportunities.  

This course assesses where our current energy industry is at, before delving into different types of energy systems. We review means of generating energy as well as storage. Study this course to place yourself at the forefront of this exciting industry in what promises to be an exciting decade ahead.  

Course Code: VSS102

Course Duration: 100 hours of self paced studies

What this Course Covers

There are eight lessons in this course:

Lesson 1. Introduction: The Problems and the Energy Sources

• Scope and Nature
  
• Terminology
  
• Energy consumption through history
  
• Climate Change
  
• Energy units
  
• Problems with Fossil Fuels
  
• Problems with other energy sources (hydro electricity, nuclear, wind, solar)
  
• Understanding Energy
  
• Terminology
  
  

Lesson 2. Understanding electricity

• Conductors and non conductors
  
• Measuring electricity (current, voltage, resistance)
  
• Ohm's Law
  
• Circuits: Series; parallel
  
• Kirchhoff's law
  
• Power
  
• Power ratings
  
• Magnetism
  
• Electromagnetism and Solenoids
  
• Electric motors
  
• Inductors
  
• Lenz's law
  
  

Lesson 3. Generating Electricity

• Turbines
  
• Generators
  
• Fuel cells
  
• Wind Power
  
• Large Scale Wind System Design
  
• Small Scale Wind System Design
  
• Solar Energy
  
• Positioning a solar cell
  
• Small Scale Solar
  
• Future Developments in Solar
  
• Geothermal Energy
  
• Dry Steam Power Plants
  
• Flash Steam Power Plants
  
• Binary Cycle Power Plants
  
• Advantages of Geothermal
  
• How Geothermal is used
  
• Geothermal heat pumps
  
• Hydropower
  
• Tide and Current Power
  
• Tide Barrage
  
• Tidal Turbines
  
• Wave Power
  
• Nuclear Energy
  
• Fission Reactors
  
• Fusion
  
• Half Lives and Radioactivity
  
• Waste to Energy
  
  

Lesson 4. Storage and Using Electricity

• Terminology
  
• Cells -simple cell, car battery, gel, AGM, Nickel etc.
  
• Deep Cycle Battery
  
• Lithium Rechargeable Batteries
  
• Calculating Battery Requirements
  
• Inverters
  
• Alternators and Regulators
  
• Converters
  
• System Types
  
• EMR & electricity use
  
• Recommended Exposure Limits
  
• Safety with Electricity
  
  

Lesson 5. Non-Electric Systems

• Scope and nature
  
• Passive Solar
  
• Fire Wood
  
• Drying and storing wood
  
• Comparing different wood types
  
• Smoke fires
  
• Creosote formation in fire flues
  
• Environmental aspects of burning wood
  
• Biofuels
  
• Ethanol
  
• Small scale Biomass
  
• Passive Solar Energy
  
• Solar hot water (flat plat collectors, evacuated tubes, open or closed circuit, passive or active systems, heat pumps)
  
• Greenhouses
  
• Night insulation
  
• Solar Garden Water Features
  
  

Lesson 6. Energy Consumption

• Reducing energy consumption
  
• Pricing
  
• Population growth
  
• Large scale reduction of energy consumption (managing green cities, urban sprawl, peak demands, transport)
  
  

Lesson 7. Energy Conservation

• How a home owner can reduce energy consumption
  
• Temperature control
  
• Minimising light energy consumption
  
• Minimising appliance energy consumption
  
• Insulation
  
• Water conservation
  
• Solar house design
  
  

Lesson 8. Converting to Alternative Systems

• Estimating Energy Needs
  
• Building Efficiency
  
• System Design
  
• System Designers

Assessment

Self Assessment Tests are presented throughout the course. These are essentially an automated quiz. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.

Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification with vegetable growing, will impress others, and will be more efficient when self employed.

A Final Exam is offered upon satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional. If you choose to apply for and do this exam, you will have the possibility of obtaining a "formal credit" or "Pass Certification" for this course. A fee applies. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.

How This Course Could Help You

Whether you are an enthusiast who wishes to better understand alternative energy to make the most of what is on offer around your own home, or whether this is an industry which you can see yourself working in - this course has something to offer you.

Study this course by itself or as part of a certificate or higher level qualification in self sufficiency or environmental studies. Use this course as a stepping stone into the energy industry.

Thinking of Enrolling? Get in Touch

Contact us and let us guide you on your learning pathway.

Use our free Career and Course Advisory Service -click

Email us at admin@acs.edu.au | Call us on (07) 5562 1088