If you haven’t heard the term “renewable energy” then you’ve probably been living under a rock for the past decade or so! At the moment, most of the power consumed by Australian households comes from burning fossil fuels like coal.
In addition to a growing concern about the greenhouse gasses and climate change associated with their use, fossil fuels are a finite resource that can’t be replenished. This is why renewable energy is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for many Australian households.
In fact, it's estimated that by 2030, 50% of all the electricity consumed across the country will come from renewable sources.
In light of this, it makes sense for modern electricians to be prepared for the smart energy shift that’s already well under way. Failure to adequately upskill in this area, and you could find yourself lagging behind within a rapidly changing energy landscape.
At CET, we help prepare electricians adapt to these changes via a range of EnergySmart courses that are aimed at training electricians to become accredited to provide consumers with energy efficiency recommendations and advice.
This includes an energy management course that will equip you with the skills to conduct an energy efficiency audit and provide customers with practical solutions that they can implement to reduce their energy costs. A service that will increase in demand as fossil fuel-supplied energy continues to become more expensive.
If you’re considering upskilling your electrical skill set within the renewable energy space, then read on to learn more about five ways to power a home with renewable energy. They’re the kind of solutions that you’ll be learning about in the course and implementing once you graduate.
Rooftop Solar
Solar panels are one of the most common types of renewable energy used to power homes. They’ve been around for years and will only continue to grow in popularity as they offer an increasingly affordable, convenient and effective option.
Solar panels are rapidly becoming more affordable for homeowners, and as PV equipment and installation prices decline, more homes will inevitably adopt solar PV power over the coming years.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are an attractive option as they’re more stable than solar power (which only works when the sun is shining).
While wind turbines do have a number of downsides - they can be ugly, make a lot of noise, take up space and are forbidden by certain local laws and zoning regulations - they’re a highly effective solution in the right situation, namely within rural areas.
A decent sized wind turbine can easily generate all of the electricity needed to power the average household.
Hydro Power
Hydroelectric power isn’t new - it’s been used to generate electricity for decades with projects like the famous Snowy Hydro Scheme. However, recent advances in technology have enabled people to make use of it on a much smaller scale.
If a property has access to a source of flowing water, you can divert some of it to flow through a turbine and generate electricity. This has some fantastic advantages over other forms of renewable energy.
Unlike wind and solar, hydro power is stable and means that you’ll always get a reliable, constant supply of electricity.
Solar Heating
You can use the sun to do a lot more than just generate electricity. It can also be used to heat a home's water supply.
Solar water heaters use the power of the sun to heat a reserve of water. This is then pumped out of the taps and shower to provide hot water. It’s much cheaper than using gas or electric hot water systems.
Battery Storage
Battery storage isn’t a way of generating renewable energy, but it is a way of storing what you generate to be used at a time when required. This means that you’re able to benefit from solar or wind power even when those systems aren’t operating.
Batteries, such as the Tesla Powerwall, also have some other really clever advantages. They can be programmed to charge themselves from the power grid when electricity prices are low, and discharge when prices are high. This can save you money during peak times and even earn you some additional income.
Start Your Renewable Training Today!
There’s no getting around it - renewable energy is the way of the future. Becoming trained and qualified in the application of renewable energy sources will help you take advantage of this inevitable shift in the way that Australian households are being powered.
Get in touch now to find out more about our EnergySmart courses.