Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies (Online)

This advanced program is delivered with a strong emphasis on vocational application and aims to impart practical and advanced knowledge. It is a high-level qualification designed for those who have already attained an undergraduate degree or can demonstrate significant industry experience combined with continuing professional development. Upon completion of this program, you will gain skills and knowledge in the latest advanced technologies in power generation through renewable energy technologies.The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies is an advanced program, presented at a considerably higher level than the advanced diploma and bachelor’s degree level programs. This program has equal standing and level to that of a university Graduate Diploma but focuses on the career outcomes of a professional engineer and technologist. It has a higher vocational or ‘job related’ emphasis and focuses more on developing practical skills that you can apply to the workplace, rather than theory alone.This program is designed for students who aim to build up their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of standalone and grid-connected photovoltaic systems, hydro-electric power generation systems, and wind power plants. The course will also enhance your learning experience in energy storage systems, distributed generation systems as well as non-mainstream renewable energy technologies used for power generation.The program deals with practical issues of renewable energy that will confront an advanced practitioner in the field. For example, you will be expected to critically analyse the characteristics of solar irradiation, wind, and water as energy sources. You will also examine and investigate photovoltaic systems, wind farms and hydro-electric plants in terms of construction and operation mode, system design requirements and characteristics of turbine, generator and auxiliary equipment used for system installation and interconnection to the grid.While studying this program, you will also evaluate and investigate the technologies used for solar thermal electricity generation, and model and simulate wind power plants and carry out analysis on wind farm siting and sizing. This graduate certificate also covers how to identify and outline the fundamental principles of fuel cells, biomass, biofuel, geothermal, hydrothermal, wave and tidal power, osmotic, hybrid wind-diesel, and low-energy nuclear reaction systems; compare and contrast characteristics of these systems. Finally, you will learn to analyse the economic impacts of renewable energy systems; address technical problems faced by electric grids with large-scale distributed generator units.There is a definite ongoing need for highly qualified and skilled specialists in the renewable engineering field, and this program caters to that need. Upon completing this program, you will be able to show technical leadership in the field of renewable energy and be known as an advanced practitioner in the field.