Lesson Structure: Alternative Energy VSS102

There are 8 lessons:

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
2. Understanding Energy
   • Terminology
   • Understanding electricity
   • Conductors and non conductors
   • Measuring electricity …current, voltage, resistance
   • Ohm’s Law
   • Circuits … Series; parallel
   • Kirchhoffs law
   • Power
   • Power ratings
   • Magnetism
   • Electromagnetism and Solenoids
   • Electric motors
   • Inductors
   • Lenz’s law
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 Barage
   • Tidal Turbines
   • Wave Power
   • Nuclear Energy
   • Fission Reactors
   • Fusion
   • Half Lives and Radioactivity
   • Waste to Energy
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
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
   • Ethonol
   • Small scale Biomass
   • Passive Solar Energy
   • Solar hot water … flat plate collectors, evacuated tubes, open or closed circuit, passive or active systems, heat pumps
   • Greenhouses
   • Night insulation
   • Solar Garden Water Features
6. Energy Consumption
   • Reducing energy consumption
   • Pricing
   • Population growth
   • Large scale reduction of energy consumption – managing green cities, urban sprawl, peak demands, transport, etc.
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
8. Converting to Alternative Systems
   • Estimating Energy Needs
   • Building Efficiency
   • System Design
   • System Designers

Please Note: Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the academy and marked by your tutor and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Alternative Energy VSS102

• Discuss how to convert a building’s energy supply to an alternative system.
• Describe energy conservation techniques.
• Identify ways to better manage energy consumption.
• Describe the application and operation of different non electric energy systems
• Compare different techniques for storage and use of electricity.
• Compare different methods of generating electricity
• Describe the nature and application of electricity.
• Describe the nature and scope of alternative energy.
• What you will doing during this Course
• List different insulating materials which may be commonly found inside electrical equipment?
• Determine a practical example to show the relevance of each of Kirchoff’s Laws to a technician, in their daily work?
• Contact a number of suppliers of alternative energy generating systems (e.g. wind, solar). Find out all that you can about the types of systems they supply. Collect any relevant leaflets and brochures. If possible observe such systems in action.
• Design a floor plan and describe the current electricity use of a home which you are familiar with (but which uses only mains power supply).

• This might be the home of a friend, relative, or even your own home.
• Recommend ways in which this home might reduce reliability on mains supply (either in part or full) by introducing its own electricity generation system
• Compare the relative significance of alternative sources of energy including wind, solar, fossil fuels, hydro, etc.
• Explain electricity, including its nature, terminology and options for applying it as an energy source
• Explain the generation of electricity through a variety of means including: Photo voltaic cells, Wind powered generators, Petrol powered generators and Batteries.
• Describe procedures for appropriate use of electricity, including storage and safety
• Develop ways of reducing energy consumption, including effective temperature control.
• Evaluate a building and recommend appropriate measures for minimising it’sconsumption of energy.
• Identify the restrictions or regulations which can affect the adoption of more appropriateenergy applications for a specific property.
• Plan the conversion of a property from high energy consumption systems to an appropriate network of sustainable and lower energy consumption systems.

How Electricity Works! 

Renewable Energy Systems, Non-Electrical Energy, Energy Conservation, & Consumption

So how exactly do we change over to renewable or alternative systems?

The simplest way to go green is to actively purchase green electricity or offsets from your provider, where possible.  In many places this will incur a higher electricity cost, meaning the incentive is usually ethical rather than financial. 

If you have no choice over where your electricity comes from, try to make many energy efficient choices for your home.  If possible, consider installing a renewable energy system.  In many countries these are now heavily subsidised, though initial costs are still a large investment.

Working through your assignments and set tasks will have helped you understand how much energy you use in your household.  Perhaps you’ve already made changes to improve or reduce your energy consumption and efficiency.

This lesson takes that learning a step further, helping you investigate alternative and renewable energy options in your area, then establish a potential plan for switching over.

The major areas of investigation and planning for such a conversion are outlined below.

Warning: 240V electricity is dangerous.  Most countries require a Licensed Electrician to do the wiring.

If you are confident, it is possible to wire up a 12V system, there are many excellent books on this subject.  However, you will still need to follow safety procedures as even 12V can carry enough power to melt cables and start fires.

Creating your own 12V system is a popular option for boat owners, caravan, and RV owners.  If you intend to do so it is highly recommended that you do further research and seek expert advice as this is beyond the scope of this course.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.