Two class rooms at NMIT Epping have been equipped for renewable energy training. The first, the Extra Low Voltage (ELV) room can facilitate the training of students for standalone power system applications. The second, the Low Voltage (LV) room, is designed to allow students to grid connect photovoltaic (PV) powered systems. Each room has wiring to the training roof, which is located at ground level.

NMIT’s centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainability provides training in renewable energy and sustainability technologies. The centre allows students to design and build PV arrays on training roof structures and wire them as standalone systems, or connect them to the power grid. Currently, NMIT offers the Certificate III in Renewable Energy (ELV) while a Certificate IV and an Advanced Diploma in Renewable Energy are likely to be available in 2010.

The centre houses a permanently wired 2 kilowatt (kW) grid-tied PV array, a roof mounted solar hot water unit that provides hot water to the toilet block, and a battery bank, which is the heart of a hybrid energy system that collects energy from a recently installed, 6 metre, vertical axis Ropatec wind turbine. The wind turbine is capable of producing 3 kW of power, which is then fed straight into Melbourne’s power grid. NMIT Epping is the only training facility with permission to allow licensed students to build installations and connect them directly into the Victorian power grid.

Students are taught a range of practical applications for renewable energy devices; from the installation and operation of solar PV panels to solar hot water panels, wind turbines and home energy assessor training.

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Career renewal

Several years ago, former Department of Justice Manager Deb Porter decided a career change was in order, so she embarked on an electrical apprenticeship at NMIT. On completion of her training she chose to specialise in renewable energy, and enrolled in the Certificate IV in Renewable Energy Technology.

Ms Porter said “I didn’t expect to meet so many like-minded people and have the opportunity to share ideas and exchange information.”

During her studies at NMIT, Ms Porter worked part-time for renewable energy solutions installer and retailer, Energy Matters. Following her completion of the Certificate IV at the end of 2008, she was offered a full-time position with the company and has recently been promoted to the position of Technical Solutions Manager. Ms Porter has also used her NMIT training to retrofit and install renewable energy technologies in her own home.