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Green Careers & Renewable Energy Training

Wouldn't you like to build a career that not only pays you well but is also beneficial to the earth's resources? Gain professional qualifications in 'green skills' and such a career can be yours. By this time next year you could be up and running, advising people and installing energy efficient systems that will considerably reduce their household's carbon footprint.

Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. Our homes cost too much to run and keep warm, and they give off too much CO2.

Governments are actively encouraging consumers to be more energy efficient and look towards alternative renewable sources of power. In Britain grants of up to 80 per cent are being made available (and in some instances 100 per cent) to cover the labour costs of certain energy efficient improvements. So domestic engineers with the correct skill-sets can find themselves in high demand. 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 currently working in a trade, you can take additional green courses to increase your skill-set.

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Maximising Our Natural Resources

Naturally renewable resources are being converted into usable energy because of developments in 'green' technology. Sunlight, wind, the tides and geothermal heat are all naturally replenishable, and thereby 'Green'. Previous generations created wind turbines and waterwheels. Now we can benefit from solar energy as well to provide us with heat and hot water. Consequently there's a growing demand for green engineering work.

Energy From The Sun

Solar thermal products gather free energy radiated by the sun and use it to heat domestic hot water. 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.

The average domestic solar heating system should reduce CO2 emissions by 0.4 - 0.75 tonnes per annum. There are various configurations for solar hot water systems, with either flat panel or evacuated tube collection systems. In order to collect the most heat possible from the sun, they should be installed on a roof that faces south.

Solar electricity systems are used to gather the sun's energy via PV (photovoltaic) cells. PV panels can be installed on roofs or walls with good exposure to sunlight. A DC electric current is created which has to be converted to AC by an inverter which is usually placed in the loft. 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. Equally they can't waste any solar electricity, as the national grid is automatically fed back any electricity that isn't being used. In April 2010 Government legislation in the UK increased the amount energy companies have to pay to buy back electricity, making the initial investment more attractive. 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.

Heat From The Ground

Naturally stored heat (mainly from the sun) can be found in the soil, bedrock and groundwater. To retrieve that heat, several hundred metres of geothermal plastic piping is buried underground, and filled with an eco-friendly non-freezing solution. The circulating solution collects the natural heat and takes it to the heat pump.

The heat pump can then provide heating for houses by warming the water in radiators and underfloor heating systems. Heat pumps do need some power to operate, but for every one unit of energy they use, they generate four units of energy in return.

Constantly Evolving

The right 'green energy' course will cover everything you need to pursue a worthwhile career in domestic renewable energy. You'll be taken through the basics of electrical and plumbing skills in the domestic market, before moving on to specific green technologies. Most courses will also deal with what government assistance is available and how people apply for it. As solar energy and heat pumps will give you the most work, you'd be sensible to focus on those.

However, as technology and the law on environmental construction evolves, so too will training in this sector. If you have a special interest in water recycling, look for options that include rainwater and grey water harvesting.

A Future-Proof Career

Each time a domestic UK property changes hands, the new householders must be shown an Energy Performance Certificate. This illustrates how energy efficient the house is, and how it could be improved. Sometimes suggested changes can reduce bills by many hundreds of pounds per annum.

Plus there are financial incentives in the UK for homeowners to upgrade their energy efficiency, providing systems are fitted by installers with appropriate certifications. And that's not all. In ten years' time the British government aims to be on target for 15 percent of the nation's energy coming from renewables. We can no longer close our eyes to the need for safer, sustainable power. For that reason, those who become skilled and qualified now will find themselves in the right place at the right time.