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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. Prepare to work on stand-alone RE systems
  2. Risk control measures are applied in accordance with workplace procedures prior to commencing work
  3. Nature of the apparatus problem is identified from documentation or from relevant person/s to determine the scope of work
  4. Instructions for coordinating work with others is obtained from relevant person/s and applied
  5. Materials required for the work are identified and accessed in accordance with workplace procedures
  6. Tools, equipment and testing devices required for work are obtained and checked for correct operation and safety
  7. Undertake problem solving in stand-alone RE systems
  8. Circuits are isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures
  9. Stand-alone RE system problems are solved using measured and calculated values of apparatus operating parameters and in accordance with workplace procedures
  10. Problems are solved without damage to apparatus, circuits, the surrounding environment and services applying sustainable energy practices
  11. Complete work and document problem-solving activities
  12. Justification for solutions used to solve stand-alone RE systems problems is documented
  13. Work completion is documented and relevant person/s notified in accordance with workplace procedures

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 nature of the problem

using established routines to solve apparatus problems

providing viable solutions to apparatus problems

documenting justification for the solutions used

dealing with unplanned events

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures and practices, including the use of risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

checking isolation of circuits/machines/systems

coordinating work with relevant person/s

determining live electrical testing/measurement requirements

identifying and accessing materials, tools, equipment and testing devices.


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:

stand-alone renewable energy (RE) system components, including:

extra-low voltage (ELV) wiring and circuit protection for RE systems encompassing:

ELV and low voltage (LV) circuits in a stand-alone or grid connected RE system and the regulatory restrictions regarding work at each level

earthing requirements for RE systems over a range of applications and environments

required sizes for ELV cabling in a RE system, considering allowable voltage drops and cable current-carrying capacity, in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) and AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems

selection of suitable direct current (d.c.) circuit protection and isolation for all relevant points in a stand-alone RE system in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) and AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems

electrical diagrams for a RE system encompassing:

functional block diagrams for typical stand-alone RE system configurations

circuit schematic of typical RE systems supplying d.c. and/or alternating current (a.c.) loads, including all major components, protection devices, earthing, isolation, switching and metering

unit wiring diagram for a typical stand-alone RE system d.c. control board

architectural and site diagrams to show the locations of equipment, fittings and cabling

batteries encompassing:

major features of each of the major types of commercially available batteries for stand-alone RE applications, including basic chemistry, physical structure, advantages and disadvantages

factors affecting the life of a battery

processes of sulphation and stratification in lead-acid batteries, their causes, effects and methods of prevention or reduction

effect of depth of discharge and of temperature on the capacity and life of lead-acid batteries

major specifications for a lead-acid battery in a stand-alone RE system application

main features of charging regimes suitable for the major types of stand-alone RE system batteries, using real examples

life of a stand-alone RE system battery in years, based on manufacturer’s cycle life data and given capacity, configuration and operating conditions

precautions required when handling, installing or maintaining lead-acid batteries

procedures required for safe disposal of the major commercially available types of batteries in accordance with AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems

balance of system components and common loads encompassing:

features of commercially available inverters suitable for use in stand-alone RE systems

major operating parameters of an inverter, including d.c. voltage operating window, efficiency, output voltage waveform and output voltage regulation over a range of loads up to 5-minute ratings

problems that may be caused by non-sine supply voltage waveforms on typical loads, and the solutions used to overcome these

significance of low power factor loads for inverter systems and the principle of power factor correction

operation of the major types of regulators for use in stand-alone RE systems using commercially available equipment as examples

current vs. voltage characteristics, efficiency and charging voltage waveform for a transformer/rectifier type and a switch mode type battery charger suitable for use in stand-alone RE systems

operation of and applications for MPPTs for photovoltaic (PV) arrays

basic operation, advantages and disadvantages of mechanical tracking devices for PV arrays

control parameters or data using digital displays on inverters, regulators or controllers

basic lighting design encompassing:

properties and features of the major lamp types, including their suitability for use in stand-alone RE power systems

effect on room lighting levels, of luminaire design and positioning, décor, room construction and windows

selection and sizing of suitable lamps and fittings and their placement in a household taking into account usage, lighting levels required by relevant standards and energy efficiency considerations

generating sets encompassing:

major components in the construction of a generating set

main components of gas, petrol or diesel internal combustion engines

basic principle of operation of internal combustion engines, including different fuel types and ignition methods

operating characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of generating sets using different fuel types, aspiration methods, operating speed and number of cylinders

major methods of mechanical coupling and power transmission between an engine and alternator

function and ratings of mechanical and electronic speed governing systems

basic structure and operation of an alternator

advantages and disadvantages of different types of excitation system and voltage regulation used for generating set alternators

components and basic operation of a brushless excitation system in an alternator, and the principle of self-excitation

generator set sizing calculations encompassing:

major electrical and mechanical ratings which control the performance of a generator set

calculations relating to real and apparent power, power factor, mechanical power, voltage regulation and speed droop for single phase gensets

derating factor for a generator set given manufacturer’s derating data and a given set of operating conditions

selection of a suitable generator set given maximum demand and surge loadings and derating factor

calculation of the fuel consumption of a generator set given manufacturer’s data and operating conditions

problem-solving techniques, including measuring and calculating value requirements

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant safe work method statements (SWMS)/job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.