There are many more ways energy can be generated in alternative and renewable methods

As South Africans we are making major strides in renewable energy in many avenues and technological terms like solar water heating, photovoltaics, wind energy, biomass are amongst the terms that we are now familiar with. Major IPP projects are on the way and the optimal choices of renewable energy for our country is now confidently being pursued from all avenues, it seems we are starting to feel very well informed. Over 60 delegates attending the launch of the Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP) training course during November in Gauteng learnt that there are many more ways energy can be generated in alternative and renewable methods.

Picture caption: Over 60 delegates attending the launch of the Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP) training course from 18-21 November 2013 at Emperors Palace in Gauteng. REP is an international qualification of the US-based Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and offered in South Africa by the Energy Training Foundation (EnTF).

Dr Stephen Roosa, the course presenter from the USA, dug deep into what alternative and renewable energy is and defined it as "alternative energy is when you substitute one form of energy for another, and renewable energy is the forms of energy that are derived from and replaced rapidly by natural processes." The options discussed included ground source heat pumps, developments and alternative uses of fuel cells and the types, various options of biofuels from waste oils, algae, gasification in fuel production, various hydro-power technologies and systems, tidal power, ocean thermal energy, wave energy systems, solar cooling systems, solar hot air systems, solar water heating, the various concentrated solar technologies like parabolic trough, central tower receivers, linear Fresnel reflectors, hybrid renewable energy systems, energy storage options like chemical storage, thermal storage the various battery types, telecom flywheels, LEED versus Green buildings, the economics and feasibility of the various systems and much more. The content of the course was a lot to take in and presented a fairly non-technical training forum which accommodated a range of delegates; from those that are new to the industry, to those that have been working in the industry presenting them with an opportunity to put their knowledge and experience gained during the years forward in the examination and have the opportunity to obtain an international qualification.

The Energy Training Foundation (EnTF), sole approved training partner of the US-based Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the Southern African region, and the affiliated training provider of the Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency (SAEE), brought Dr Roosa to South Africa for the launch of the REP course in November 2013. Dr Roosa is a highly qualified expert on the subject and has his PhD in Planning and Urban Development and has completed energy studies on over 3500 buildings. In addition he holds Certified Sustainable Development Professional, Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional, a Certified Measurement & Verification Professional, a Certified Energy Monitoring and Control System Designer, a Certified Demand Side Management Specialist, a Certified Building Energy Management Professional, and a LEED Accredited Professional qualifications.

REP will be held again in Cape Town on 14-17 October 2014.

Visit our website www.energytrainingfoundation.co.za for more information.