Environmental Responsibility With Green Engineer Careers

How would you like to get into an industry that is both cutting-edge and future-proof? Gain professional qualifications in 'green skills' and such a career can be yours. People are increasingly looking at green energy systems to reduce their CO2 emissions - within twelve months from now you could be a certified installer of energy efficient equipment.

The cost of fuel is soaring as supplies become more finite. Our homes cost too much to run and keep warm, and they give off too much CO2. Members of the public are being urged to ease back on their consumption, and look to efficient renewable energy sources.

Those who replace old and poorly performing boilers in the UK can claim subsidies from the government. Such measures bring more work for those with the right knowledge and qualifications.

Therefore if electrical or plumbing work appeals to you, adding some 'green' skills could be very beneficial. If you've been in the industry for a while, check out the new courses and certifications in green engineering.

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Maximising Our Natural Resources

The term 'green technology' refers to anything that creates exploitable energy from our planet's natural resources. We can generate additional and efficient power supplies by utilising the sun, the tides and the wind. Previous generations created wind turbines and waterwheels. Now we can benefit from solar energy as well to provide us with heat and hot water. This is leading to a lot of work for 'Green' electricians.

Solar Technology

Solar thermal products gather free energy radiated by the sun and use it to heat domestic hot water. We have a plentiful range of systems to choose from today, as this technology has been developing for many years. Working alongside regular water heaters, these systems can supply the majority of hot water that will be needed by a family during the warmer months of the year. This lessens their impact on the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by something like 400 to 750 kg a year. Collection equipment comes in the form of the more efficient evacuated tubes, or the perhaps more visually attractive solid flat plates. Installation is quite straightforward - in fact some of the tubular versions can be built whilst actually on the roof.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture energy from the sun and use it to generate electricity. When the panels are facing the light, they can generate energy all year round (though obviously the more sun that shines on them the better). PV panels are linked to an inverter that could be installed in the roof space. This is then connected to the fuse board of the house to supply electricity for lighting and appliances. Solar electricity is renewable energy that doesn't release any carbon dioxide or other harmful pollutants. Home owners will reduce their bills and their carbon footprint. Anyone with a system that produces more electricity than the household consumes can automatically sell their excess to the national grid. In the UK energy companies by law have to pay agreed rates to householders per kilowatt hour of electricity, but this can vary depending on the tariff they're on. Installation of Solar PV panels usually comes under 'permitted development' which doesn't require planning permission. A quick check with the local authority will confirm this.

Heat From The Ground

Naturally stored heat (mainly from the sun) can be found in the soil, bedrock and groundwater. Heat pumps are connected to great lengths of underground geothermal piping that contains a non freezable substance. The fluid becomes warm as it circulates inside the pipes and thus heat is transported to the pump. Underfloor heating can benefit most from the warmth provided by heat pumps. Heat pumps need a small amount of electricity to run them, but the savings by far outweigh the costs.

Training For A 'Green' Career

When you train to work in the green installations industry, you'll pick up a variety of worthwhile skills. You'll be taken through the basics of electrical and plumbing skills in the domestic market, before moving on to specific green technologies. Most courses will also deal with what government assistance is available and how people apply for it. The majority of your work is likely to be advising on and installing solar panels and heat pumps, so be sure you've got those covered.

Essentially, courses are there to equip you for work - so all parts of your training should lead to industry recognised qualifications. Most green courses will include optional training on installing and maintaining various types of Rainwater Harvesting Systems that are commonly used in the UK.

Careers For The Twenty First Century

Every home being sold in the UK must now have an Energy Performance Certificate which states it's current consumption and advises on ways to become more efficient. In some instances, changes can produce huge savings.

Plus there are financial incentives in the UK for homeowners to upgrade their energy efficiency, providing systems are fitted by installers with appropriate certifications. That's merely the beginning though.

The UK government is aiming for fifteen percent of the country's energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. The future for skilled green technicians is very bright - as there is no other way for the world to move forward.