Certificate in Renewable Energy

Students will study the following topics:

• Introduction to Energy, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
• Solar Hot Water Systems, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and Heat Pumps
• Biofuels - Wood energy, Biodiesel and Bioethanol
• Wind Energy – Large and Small Scale Wind Power Systems
• Water energy – hydropower, ocean and tidal energy sources
• Energy project – applying the knowledge to a local or regional situation

One evening per week over 26 weeks (6.00pm–9.00pm) plus four Saturdays for laboratory work, site installation visits and a visit to the DkIT wind turbine.

While most classes are available in online mode a student undertaking the course is required to attend the college in-person at total of 5 times during the programme. The first time is for Night One of the course. The remaining four occasions all take place on Saturdays during the year and are when we carry out the practical/laboratory sessions. Students attend for a large part of the day, typically from 9 am to 3:30 to 4 pm on those Saturdays. There would be two such days during semester 1 before Christmas, and 2 more during semester 2 after Christmas.

Ireland's energy sector now ranks alongside pharmaceuticals and information technology as one of the key growth sectors of the Irish economy, with growth being driven by organisations themselves as they seek innovative solutions to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and security of supply.

Participants on this course can be generally defined as being involved in the application of techniques and procedures to the solution of practical problems in the energy and environmental sector.

Graduates from this course will be able pursue careers in the workplace as:

• energy system designers
• energy system auditors or consultants
• system developers and operators

Total course fee: €950

Accept Offer Fee: €100 (non-refundable)

Instalment 1 = €375 is payable by 31st October

Instalment 2 = €475 is payable by 28th February

The entry requirement is an overall pass of the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent examination. Recognition of Prior Learning criteria may also be applied to applicants.

Non-standard entry will be decided by a course board of approvers. Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis.

The course is directed at those who are interested in becoming familiar with the subject areas of renewable energy. It will be of particular interest to the following groups:

• Professionals involved in selling and installing renewal energy technologies in businesses and homes
• Construction-related professionals and trades looking to upskill or change careers have found it a useful addition to their CV
• Environmental scientists eyeing the renewable energy market as a career option are also keen to have the qualification under their belt