Clean Energy Institute's e-learning Courses for RETScreen June 2011 Frederic Pouyot Director
Background/overview on CEI Clean energy education is delivered via the Clean Energy Institute (CEI), the education division of GPEKS Was created in 2002 Located in Canada s National Capital Region CEI is 100% dedicated to e-learning for Clean Energy, with Focus project feasibility analysis
CEI service offering Curriculum Development solar photovoltaic installer training (installation and maintenance) solar water heating installer training (installation and maintenance) wind turbine technician training (installation and maintenance) solar photovoltaic project development and management wind energy project development and management clean energy project financing Related Services Market study for new clean energy courses Assessment & identification of the training needs of the target audience Creation of training program, identification of textbooks and creation and adaptation of new content (text, slides, exams, multi-media) Strategies for course delivery, including locating & hiring teachers, hosting web-based courses Marketing of and logistical support services for workshops and events on behalf of education clients.
CEI service offering (cont.) Courses and Programs Various clean energy courses in either classroom or distance learning (our focus) format. Our classroom courses are designed for technicians who want to acquire skills and credentials to install solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. Clean energy project feasibility analysis certificate courses Building and expanding upon the curriculum initially developed by Natural Resources Canada's RETScreen division*, CEI delivers clean energy project feasibility analysis certificate courses via an e-learning format. Participants acquire the essential skills and knowledge to conduct feasibility studies that will enable real-world clients to decide whether or not to proceed with potential clean energy projects.
CEI service offering (cont.) Facilitated Distance Learning Courses Delivered via a distance e-learning, through certificate courses, participants learn: To analyze the opportunity/risk factors of clean energy projects, including technical, technological, environmental, organizational, regulatory and economic/financial aspects. To devise a conceptual system design that meets project requirements based on the various clean energy technologies covered To adeptly use RETScreen to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emissions reduction of a proposed clean energy system To produce project feasibility reports based on a case study and two full-scale studies of real and actual projects. Each of our facilitated distance e-learning certificate of proficiency requires successful completion of these 2 blocks: 1. Theory course which includes a project feasibility study assignment based on a case study and requires practical use of RETScreen 2. Completion of 2 real-world projects.
CEI service offering (cont.) Facilitated Distance Learning Courses The courses are facilitated by subject matter experts and practitioners Successful participants receive a Certificate of completion or proficiency and go on to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy solutions. Fields Covered by our courses: Energy Efficiency Passive Solar Heating Solar Air Heating Solar Water Heating Solar PV Small Hydro Wind Energy Cogeneration Geothermal Heat Pump Bioenergy Heating Solar Power Production Heating
Example training Programs Our Programs in Clean Energy Project Feasibility Analysis Facilitated Courses Green Heat 4 Technologies out of: Passive Solar, Solar Water, Geothermal + 1 elective either Bioenergy or Solar Air Heating Green Power 4 Technologies: Wind Energy, Solar PV, Small Hydro & Cogeneration Solar Buildings 4 Technologies: Passive Solar, Solar Water, Solar Air Heating and Solar PV
Sample of Online Course
Our experience in RETScreen training In a typical year, we run 20 facilitated course per year and offer 10 self-paced courses per month except for the summer Maximum 20 students per class Trained each year between 242 to 305 students for our facilitated courses and 21 to 33 students for our self paced courses Total hours of training: between 39,500 to 50,100 hours/year Geographical location of our students: 52 countries, with the following regions at the top USA (~ 38%) Canada (~32%) Western Europe (~16%) Central & South America (~9%) Africa (~2%) Asia (~2%)
CEI RETScreen Support Many users are overwhelmed by the rich functionality of RETScreen but do not have time to take our courses Besides courses, CEI offers coaching for RETScreen users Step by step guidance on how and what to enter in RETScreen Feedback on client RETScreen models Hourly consulting fee or preset support packages
New developments Most recent course material developed Energy Efficiency Course Courses in French, starting with courses on PV Future plans for RETScreen related course development Short webinars of 4 sessions of 3 hours Distance Learning Programs in Project Development using RETScreen
Some of CEI Wish list for future RETScreen models True integration between the various modules so that common project data does not need to be re-entered Project Type with check boxes instead of a list box Link with OpenOffice Write with a report template for feasibility analysis reports Ability for RETScreen to auto-update from the web (new release, product databases) Visual 2D or 3D Modeling of buildings or major equipment For building layout and energy Shading Analysis and Solar Radiation Possibly integrate with Free and/or Open source programs such as OpenStudio for Google Sketchup. Financial model that offers multiple financing sources and conditions RETScreen Conference 2011 12