New Opportunities With Green Engineer Certification

Do you see yourself working in a role that will help to look after the planet? Qualifying as an installer with 'green' certifications will allow you to do that. Certifications can take less time than you might think - within the next twelve months your job could be helping to offset the effects of global warming.

Oil and gas supplies are running out, and energy prices are prohibitive. We all know we should be lowering our carbon footprint. Members of the public are being urged to ease back on their consumption, and look to efficient renewable energy sources.

In the UK, householders with the oldest and lowest rated boilers can apply for grants to cover some of the costs of replacement. This means there's an increasing amount of installation work for properly accredited professionals.

So if you're thinking about training to become a plumber or an electrician, why not gear your skill-set towards green energy? Any experienced electricians or plumbers can take short courses in renewable energy solutions.

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What Is Green Technology?

When we talk about green energy, we mean any functional source of power that has been created from a natural resource. We can generate additional and efficient power supplies by utilising the sun, the tides and the wind. Previous generations created wind turbines and waterwheels. Now we can benefit from solar energy as well to provide us with heat and hot water. Trades people with green credentials can capitalise on this.

Solar Power

Solar thermal products gather free energy radiated by the sun and use it to heat domestic hot water. We have a plentiful range of systems to choose from today, as this technology has been developing for many years. 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. If we look at the whole year, roughly fifty per cent of their hot water will come from solar power.

We can choose either flat or tubular collection systems. Several leading manufacturers supply solar thermal products which are quite simple for professionals to install. The ideal position would be on a roof space that's angled in a southerly direction.

Solar electricity systems are used to gather the sun's energy via PV (photovoltaic) cells. These panels are again fixed onto (preferably) south facing roofs (or walls). The more sunlight they absorb, the more electricity they generate. As this is DC electricity, an inverter in the loft is required to convert it to AC. The inverter is then linked up to the power distribution point in the house to provide electricity for certain appliances and lighting. 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. They also automatically sell electricity back to the National Grid if their system produces more than they use. The amount energy suppliers pay for solar electricity has been increased two and three fold in the UK due to government legislation in early 2010. 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 Ground Source Heat

Geothermal heat is the term used for the ground source heat that is stored naturally under the ground. If land is plentiful the surface ground collector method is used to get the heat out. If it isn't, the borehole collector method is used. Either method requires burying a few hundred metres of plastic piping filled with an eco-friendly liquid. The solution flows through the pipes and collects heat which is taken to the heat pump. Warm air or water is then pumped around a home to supplement existing heating systems. Ground source heat pumps will lower household fuel bills. They need a small amount of electricity to run them, but can produce four or five times as much as they consume.

Continually Developing

As you go through a study programme, your knowledge of replenishable energy sources and new technology will grow. In addition to key electrical certifications (like Part P) and plumbing requirements, your course should deal with certain legal obligations, government funding of green installations and health and safety. The majority of your work is likely to be advising on and installing solar panels and heat pumps, so be sure you've got those covered.

Training programmes are moving with the times, and will evolve as time goes on. The green market is growing fast, and opportunities are increasing in existing domestic properties, new builds and social housing.

Careers For The Twenty First Century

So that buyers can determine future energy costs, every UK homeowner must get an Energy Performance Certificate before putting their house on the market. This documentation includes advice on how to make the place more energy efficient. 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. 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. 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.