Renewable Energy and Green Construction Techniques
Ontario College Certificate (1 Year - 2 Semesters) (4046)
About the Program
This entry-level certificate program covers two semesters of study addressing the expanding and emerging fields of renewable energy, energy conservation and green construction. Students will gain the knowledge and practical skills relating to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and bio-based fuels. Graduates will be in a position to assist with feasibility assessments, renewable energy system installations, and green construction and renovation.Program of Study | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| CCT103 - 4 | Blueprints, Specifications & Layout | |
| ELR130 - 3 | Electrical Fundamentals | |
| MTH151 - 3 | Mathematics | |
| NET108 - 4 | Geographic Information Systems | |
| RET101 - 2 | Introduction to Solar PV and Thermal Energy Systems | |
| RET102 - 2 | Introduction to Wind and Geothermal Energy Systems | |
| RET103 - 2 | Introduction to Biofuels | |
| RET104 - 3 | Energy Conservation | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CCT100 - 4 | Construction Safety/Tools | |
| CMM115 - 3 | Communications I | |
| HDG122 - 3 | Personal and Academic Success Strategies | |
| RET105 - 4 | Solar PV and Thermal Energy Systems Installation | |
| RET106 - 4 | Wind, Geothermal and Biofuels Energy Systems Installation | |
| RET107 - 4 | Green Construction Techniques | |
New Program:
Aimed at today`s learner.Career Paths
Graduates from this program will use the credential to support and pursue other learning and/or employment opportunities that are impacted, involved in and dependent on renewable energies. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:- Use and maintain construction tools and basic electrical test and instrumentation equipment.
- Select and apply appropriate renewable energy systems and green construction material types for use in new residential construction and renovation.
- Assist with interpretation of relevant information in the Ontario Building Code as it relates to renovations and new construction and assist with applications for necessary permits under the supervision of a qualified person.
- Apply health and safety standards and best practices to workplaces.
- Interpret and visualize a finished project from an orthographically projected drawing.
- Assist with the application of construction processes to new residential construction and common types of residential renovations under the supervision of a qualified person.
- Solve construction-related problems using appropriate techniques in a variety of construction situations.
- Apply relevant and current computer skills required by business, including word processing, electronic mail, spreadsheets and presentation applications.
- Assist with the selection, design, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
- Assist with energy audits under the supervision of a qualified person.
Minimum Academic Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma with Grade 12 English (C) ENG4C or mature student status.Other Information
For more information contact Program Coordinator Rob McTaggart at 705.759.2554 ext 2525 or email robert.mctaggart@saultcollege.ca.Course Descriptions
Semester 1Blueprints, Specifications & Layout (CCT103) (4 credits)
This course focuses on interpreting blueprints, drawings and layouts using architectural and measurement conventions to industry standards of practice. Students will learn to interpret sketches and drawings and learn to use scales, tapes and measurement conventions. They will also learn basic principles of construction layout. Throughout the course, the student will be familiarized with relevant provisions of the Ontario Building Code.
Electrical Fundamentals (ELR130) (3 credits)
This course introduces students to electrical fundamentals. Safety issues, provincial and national codes relating to electrical installations and characteristics or electric circuits will be introduced. Students will participate in hands-on practical activities.
Mathematics (MTH151) (3 credits)
In this course, emphasis will be placed on teaching mathematics at a level that will help the student in the Machining trade. Some theoretical concepts and topics in algebra, geometry and trigonometry will be covered. These concepts and topics will be reinforced by the use of practical problems to make the current topic relevant to the students' needs.
Geographic Information Systems (NET108) (4 credits)
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a source of immediate information and as an analytic tool for solving natural resource management problems. Students will be using ESRI's ArcGIS software.
Introduction to Solar PV and Thermal Energy Systems (RET101) (2 credits)
Students will be introduced to solar photovoltaic , including grid-connected and stand-alone systems, with or without battery storage. Solar thermal/solar hot water energy systems and their applications will be explored. Students will also be introduced to aspects of site assessment, components, system design, electrical codes, safety standards, and accepted industry standards of practice.
Introduction to Wind and Geothermal Energy Systems (RET102) (2 credits)
Students will examine the development of wind and geothermal power as alternative renewable energy sources. Students will learn about wind and geothermal energy, how these technologies work and how they can be used. The course includes building an ability to conduct wind and geothermal energy site assessment, types of wind turbines and geothermal units, global development of wind and geothermal installations for both commercial and private applications.
Introduction to Biofuels (RET103) (2 credits)
Students will examine the principles and practices of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuel production and usage for heating, power generation and transportation. The opportunities and challenges of biofuels will be discussed in regards to environmental impacts, quality, cost, and performance issues.
Energy Conservation (RET104) (3 credits)
Students will examine the methods to conserve use of the current energy resources and how energy audits are used to develop energy conservation goals and quantify success. Topics include methods of reducing heat loss, methods to reduce power consumption and the process of conducting an energy audit.
Semester 2
Construction Safety/Tools (CCT100) (4 credits)
This course focuses on safety practices and procedures in the construction industry. Students will learn about occupational and health safety standards, work site hazards, personal protective equipment and maintenance requirements, and work site communication skills.Hands on applications focus on safe operation of hand tools, power tools, powder actuacted tools and cutting torch.
Communications I (CMM115) (3 credits)
The focus of this course is paragraph writing. Students will produce effective, college-level expository/response paragraphs by developing analytical skills to select and properly integrate electronic and other research materials. Writing components such as rhetorical modes, grammar, sentence structure, paragraph development, editing, and referencing are included.
Personal and Academic Success Strategies (HDG122) (3 credits)
This course will prepare the student for the rigors of academic life and enable the student to develop a personal profile for college and career success. The main focus of this course will include accepting personal responsibility, discovering self-motivation, mastering self-management, employing interdependence, gaining self-awareness, adopting lifelong learning and developing emotional intelligence. In addition, the student will develop and produce a 'Personal Profile' that will identify his/her personal learning style, communication style, and personality style to enable the student to achieve success in learning about, understanding, and choosing the courses and careers that will lead to personal and professional satisfaction.
Solar PV and Thermal Energy Systems Installation (RET105) (4 credits)
Students will take an in-depth look at designing, installing and maintaining solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy generation systems and equipment. Students will be come familiar with many aspects of system design and components.
Wind, Geothermal and Biofuels Energy Systems Installation (RET106) (4 credits)
Students will conduct wind site assessments, and specify, install and maintain wind, geothermal and biofuels energy systems and equipment.
Green Construction Techniques (RET107) (4 credits)
Students will be introduced to the basics of energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction, including: site analysis, passive solar design strategies, insulated frame/foundation construction techniques, and sustainable building materials.
| Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology | 705.759.2554 1.800.461.2260 |
| 443 Northern Ave. | |
| Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 5L3 | www.saultcollege.ca |