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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Hazards are identified, WHS/OHS risks are assessed, and control measures and workplace procedures are implemented in preparation for work
  2. Scope of the RE problem is determined from performance specifications, situation reports and in consultation with relevant person/s
  3. Activities are planned to meet scheduled timelines in consultation with person/s involved in the work
  4. Strategies are determined and solutions developed and implemented in accordance with workplace procedures
  5. Develop engineering solutions for RE problems
  6. RE systems, components, construction, operation characteristics and applications are applied to develop engineering solutions to RE problems
  7. Parameters, specifications and performance requirements in relation to each RE problem are determined in accordance with workplace procedures
  8. Engineering solution/s to resolve RE problem/s is analysed to provide most effective solution/s
  9. Unplanned events are dealt with safely and effectively in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace policies
  10. Quality of work is monitored in accordance with performance agreement and/or workplace procedures or relevant industry standards
  11. Test, document and implement engineering solution for RE problem
  12. Engineering solutions are documented and instructions for implementation that incorporate risk control measures included
  13. Competent person/s to implement engineering solutions to RE problems is identified and coordinated in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace policies
  14. Justification for engineering solution/s used to solve RE problems is documented and included in work/project records in accordance with relevant industry standards

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

understanding the extent of the renewable energy (RE) problem

forming effective strategies for solution development and implementation

obtaining RE system/component parameters, specifications and performance requirements appropriate to each problem

testing and solutions to RE problems

documenting instruction for implementation of solutions that incorporate risk control measures to be followed

documenting justification of solutions implemented in accordance with professional standards

dealing with unplanned events

applying problem-solving techniques

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including:

implementing workplace procedures and practices

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

preparing to develop engineering solution for RE problems.


Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

RE engineering, including:

energy and humanity encompassing:

need for energy and relationship between energy usage and standard of living

energy conversion - typical processes and efficiencies

sources of energy

solar energy - direct heating, photosynthesis, solar cells, power tower, hydrogen for solar energy, ocean thermal energy collector, solar ponds, wind and wave energy, and hydro-electric power

geothermal energy

tidal energy

nuclear energy - fission and fusion, burner and breeder reactors

stored fuel reserves

fuel conservation - reduction in wastage, recycling, greater usage efficiency and use of waste heat

thermodynamics

basic concepts encompassing:

nature of matter - atoms, molecules, inter-molecular forces, molecular motion and states of matter

mass and conservation of mass principle

volume, density, specific volume and relative density

force, weight and pressure (atmospheric, gauge and absolute)

temperature (Celsius and Kelvin)

systems and black box analysis

reciprocating piston and cylinder mechanism – pressure ratio and compression ratio

energy encompassing:

definition and principles

potential energy

kinetic energy

work (linear and rotational), constant and variable force, relationship to pressure and volume change

power (linear and rotational)

sensible heat - specific heat capacity (constant pressure and constant volume)

latent heat

chemical energy - energy content of a fuel

internal energy

energy transfer in closed and open systems encompassing:

definition of a closed system

calorimetry as an example of a closed system (with or without phase change)

thermodynamics 1

non-flow energy equation - typical applications such as stirring with simultaneous heating or cooling

definition of an open system

mass and volume flow rate and continuity equation

steady flow energy equation (negligible change in kinetic or potential energy) leading to the concept of enthalpy - typical applications such as turbines, compressors, boilers and heat exchangers

gases encompassing:

definition of a perfect or ideal gas in terms of the molecular model

general gas equation

characteristic gas equation (equation of state)

constant pressure process

constant volume process

isothermal process

polytropic process

adiabatic process

heat engines encompassing:

definition of a heat engine

essentials of a heat engine - heat source, heat sink, working substance, mechanical power output and working cycle

energy balance for a heat engine (as a black box) and efficiency

maximum possible efficiency (Carnot efficiency)

types of heat engines according to working substance, heat source, mechanical arrangement and working cycle

typical practical cycles - Stirling, Otto, diesel, dual, two-stroke (spark and compression ignition) and Joule cycle

thermodynamics 1

heat engine performance encompassing:

measurement of torque and power output - rope brake, shoe brake, hydraulic dynamometer and electric dynamometer

heat supply rate, efficiency and specific fuel consumption

measurement of indicated power - mechanical indicator, electric/electronic indicator and Morse test

friction power, mechanical efficiency and indicated thermal efficiency

volumetric efficiency

energy balance

performance curves - variable load constant speed, and variable speed constant throttle setting

structure of the existing generation, transmission and distribution system

benefits, issues and impacts

distributed generation technologies

electrical power distribution systems operation encompassing:

electrical characteristics of feeders

causes of voltage problems in a power distribution system

voltage regulation limits

calculations for feeder voltage drops

methods of voltage control

fault types, causes and effects

determination of fault levels

fault level limitation

protection and relaying encompassing:

protection system purpose and features

application of protection in a distribution network

protection system terminology

feeder protection systems

distributed generation issues encompassing:

utility requirements for interconnection

safety of personnel

islanding

grid stability

voltage regulation

potential benefits of distributed generation

limitations in design of distribution circuits (designed for one-way operation)

match between supply and demand

operation: dispatchable and non-dispatchable supplies

factors affecting the sizing of distributed generation

use of energy storage

case studies

RE supplies issues encompassing:

limits to penetration

factors affecting the value of renewables on the grid

implications of renewable input on power system operation

connection of energy systems via inverters: AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters

factors affecting the uptake of distributed generation encompassing:

institutional factors

regulatory factors

policy including mandated targets

green power market

financial issues

contractual issues

case studies

engineering solutions to RE problems

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures

RE engineering principles

sustainable energy principles and practices