This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to design wind energy conversion system (WECS) rated to 10 kilowatt (kW) and its installation.

It includes determining and developing WECS design, following design briefs, documenting design calculations and criteria, and obtaining design approval for WECS.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to design WECS

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

Scope of the WECS is determined from design brief

1.3

Safety and regulatory requirements to which the electrical installation must comply are identified, obtained and applied

1.4

Design development work is planned to meet scheduled timelines in consultation with relevant person/s involved in the WECS installation or associated work

2

Develop WECS design

2.1

WECS performance standards and compliance methods are applied to the design

2.2

Alternative WECS designs are considered in accordance with the design brief

2.3

Safety, functionality and budgetary considerations are incorporated in the WECS design

2.4

WECS design is drafted and checked for compliance with the design brief and regulatory requirements

2.5

WECS design is documented for submission to relevant person/s for acceptance and approval

2.6

Unplanned situations are dealt with safely and effectively in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Obtain design approval for WECS

3.1

WECS design is presented and any issues clarified with client representative and/or relevant person/s

3.2

Requests for alterations to the design are negotiated with relevant person/s within the constraints of workplace policies

3.3

Final design is documented and approval obtained from relevant person/s

3.4

Quality of work is monitored in accordance with relevant performance agreement and/or workplace procedures or industry standards

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:

developing outlines of alternative designs

developing the design within the safety and functional requirements and budget limitations

documenting and presenting design effectively

successfully negotiating design alteration requests

obtaining approval for final design

dealing with unplanned events

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

implementing workplace procedures and practices

using risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices when designing wind energy conversion system (WECS) rated to 10 kilowatt (kW)

designing WECS rated to 10 kW.

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:

design of small WECS, including:

wind characteristics encompassing:

definition of the terms: weather charts, isobars, fronts and troughs, cyclone and anti-cyclone, atmospheric boundary layer, geotropic wind, gradient wind, wind shear and wind rose

major global wind circulations and the formation of major wind flows over the continent

major features of the atmospheric boundary layer, including variation of wind speed with height according to logarithmic and power laws, and effects of surface roughness

atmospheric stability and temperature inversions turbulence

major local winds, including trade winds, sea and land breezes, katabatic and anabatic winds

likely effects on the major local winds from local topography, surface roughness, isolated barriers and temperature inversions

typical diurnal, monthly and seasonal patterns of winds over the local area

the formation and likely effects of extreme winds and wind shear

wind speed data measurement and analysis encompassing:

definition of the terms: porosity, internal boundary layer, speed-up factor, temperature inversion factor, wind speed frequency distribution, lull period and calms

interpretation of local and regional wind speed and direction data such as local records (e.g. meteorological bureau data), ecological indicators and wind speed/energy maps

wind speed and direction using data logging anemometers

manufacturer’s calibration curves for anemometers to correct recorded data

calculation at a site, monthly and yearly average wind speed, and wind power density from existing, nearby data or on-site measurements, using appropriate software

estimation of the wind speed at a WECS tower of suitable height and location given wind speed data recorded at two or more elevations at the site, and wind speed data recorded at one elevation and appropriate surface roughness, temperature inversion and speed-up factors at the site

site selection encompassing:

the likely effects of local topography, surface roughness, isolated barriers and temperature inversions on a WECS at a given site

assessment of available local or regional wind speed, wind energy and direction data

selection of the most appropriate site-monitoring location taking into consideration factors such as topography, accessibility, surface roughness, shielding from isolated barriers (obstacles), turbulence, temperature inversions, power transmission distance, environmental and heritage impacts e.g. noise, visual, bird life, national parks or Indigenous sites

measurement of wind speed and direction data at an appropriate site and height(s) using a data logging anemometer over a sufficient period of time

analysis of the recorded wind speed and direction data to determine if the site is suitable for wind energy utilisation

selection of WECS encompassing:

selection of suitable WECS specifications to suit site load and wind speed data according to AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems, including cut-in, rated and furling wind speeds, blade diameter, rated power at an appropriate rated wind speed and materials of construction

suitable commercially available WECS that most closely fits the specifications above

suitable tower requirements at the site, including site access, soil type and foundations, structural certification and planning approvals

calculation of the monthly and annual energy output of the selected WECS at the site from wind speed data and load data using appropriate computer software and in accordance with AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems

height of the tower and the size of the WECS for optimum use

suitable system configurations

balance of system components, including battery storage, inverter, regulator, transmission cable, back-up battery charger and generator

equipment reliability and manufacturer/supplier back-up service, including availability of spare parts and service personnel

installed capital and life cycle costs of various system configurations according to and AS/NZS 4536 Life cycle costing

environmental, cultural and social factors that impact on the implementation of a WECS such as external costs, WECS manufacturing processes and embodied energy and energy payback time, noise levels, visual amenity and RFI

design principles of WECS rated to 10 kW

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities and equipment currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to designing WECS rated to 10 kW

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Designing WECS must include at least the following:

two different WECS and their installation

Electrotechnology

Renewable Energy