Diploma in Renewable Energies Technician (Co-op)
Fanshawe College
Key Information
Campus location
Saint Thomas, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 7,296 *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* total fee for Canadian students. $31,367.72 for international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Renewable Energies Technician (Co-op) is a two-year Ontario College Diploma where students will learn the fundamental knowledge of electrical, electronic, and mechanical disciplines within this industry. This program will cover the design and installation of renewable energy solutions such as solar energy, wind turbines, biomass energy, and geothermal energy systems. Graduates will leave with in-depth knowledge of the installation, commissioning, and routine maintenance of energy systems.
Your Learning Experience
No doubt, renewable energy is no longer a trendy buzzword. In fact, it’s now at the heart of our power grid, lighting our homes and making sure the economy keeps moving forward. If you’re excited about the career potential available in this growing sector and are looking to gain the skills necessary to begin, the Renewable Energies Technician program will open the door to limitless potential.
You’ll begin by building foundational knowledge in the electrical, electronic, and mechanical disciplines and how they function in the Renewable Energies sector. As well, you’ll study the design and installation techniques required to work with various Renewable Energy solutions such as Solar Energy, Wind Turbines, Biomass Energy, and Geothermal Energy Systems. You’ll also examine the best industry practices of health, safety, and environmental conservation along with complete safety training for working at heights and confined spaces. Plus, you’ll be introduced to the general concepts associated with global climate change and the practicalities associated with sustainable energy including conservation techniques.
When you graduate, you’ll have an in-depth working knowledge of current practice in the installation, commissioning, and routine maintenance and repair of Photovoltaic and Wind Turbine generating systems enabling them to function effectively in the utility-scale Wind Turbine and Solar Photovoltaic industries.
Admissions
Curriculum
Co-op Opportunities
The Renewable Energies Technician program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand work experience within their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Renewable Energies Technician students before even graduating! Metering/Engineering Responsible for the installation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of Smart Meters. Facility Maintenance Technicians Assist with reducing facility downtime by performing duties such as programs, monitors, installs, and repairs to electrical, pneumatic, or mechanical components on a wide range of equipment. Wind Turbine Service Technician Responsible for the service and maintenance of wind turbines at a remote job site.
Courses
Level 1
General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course.
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ELEC-1145 ---- Electrical Theory
- ELEC-1137 ---- Applied Electrical Techniques
- MATH-1213 ---- Mathematics for Electronics 1
- SFTY-1047 ---- Renewable Energy Safety
- SFTY-1069 ---- Safe Work Practices
- DEVL-1054 ---- Skills for Career Success
- COOP-1020 ---- Co-operative Education Employment Prep
Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- MATH-3090 ---- Mathematics for Electronics 2
- ELEC-3060 ---- Renewable Energy Wiring Practices
- ELEC-3061 ---- Practical Wiring Techniques
- MECH-1116 ---- Wind Turbine Systems
- MECH-3044 ---- Practical Hydraulics
- BUSI-1103 ---- Introduction to Small Business Concepts
- ENVR-5014 ---- Alternative Energy Generation Methods
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ENGR-5010 ---- Photovoltaic Systems
- ENGR-5011 ---- Applied Photovoltaic Techniques
- ENVR-5015 ---- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- ELNC-3036 ---- Motor Controls and Automation Theory
- ELNC-3037 ---- Applied Motor Controls
- CADD-1039 ---- Computer-Aided Design for MIM
Level 4
General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course.
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- CNTL-3012 ---- Programmable Logic Controllers Theory
- CNTL-3013 ---- PLC Applications
- MTNC-5008 ---- Wind Turbine Maintenance
- MTNC-5006 ---- Wind Turbine Maintenance Techniques
- ENVR-5017 ---- Alternative Energy Generation Methods 2
General Education - Electives
Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 1 and 4
Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 20 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Adhere to all precautions to be taken when working on or near electrical power sources, conductors, transformers, motors, rotating equipment, hoisting equipment, rooftops, high elevations, and confined spaces, and apply all applicable health and safety policies, laws, codes, regulations, and industry standards.
- Install, operate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain renewable energy systems including Wind Turbine and Photovoltaic systems.
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and contribute to the control of renewable energy systems through the application of basic electrical AC and DC current and analog and digital electronics theory; hydraulic and mechanical concepts; as well as, motor control and automation theory including sensors, data acquisition devices, and programmable controllers.
- Install, assemble, examine, test, replace, or repair electrical wiring, components, modules, feeders, fiber optic cables, mechanical assemblies, electric motors and controls, generators, and hydraulic components associated with renewable energy systems.
- Analyze, diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair renewable energy components, processes, and systems through the application of engineering principles and practices.
- Analyze, interpret, and produce electrical, electronic, and mechanical drawings and schematics, and other technical documents associated with renewable energy systems to appropriate engineering standards.
- Interpret relevant data monitored by supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems related to renewable energy systems and take corrective measures as appropriate to achieve maximum energy production and power transmission efficiency.
- Identify, select, and correctly install various types of Solar Photovoltaic mounting systems according to various roof styles or ground mount applications consistent with the load effects of the Photovoltaic arrays on the structures on which they are to be mounted. 9. Assess and evaluate buildings according to “Green Building” principles and building energy auditing techniques and make energy efficiency and conservation recommendations outlining how conservation and sustainable living benefits human and environmental health.
- Select, size, design, site, and compute energy production calculations as part of the evaluation, installation, and commissioning of energy generation systems by applying knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and control systems in accordance with accepted practices outlined by utilities, building codes, and federal and provincial regulations.
- Access and adhere to all legislation, industry standards, and codes as they apply to renewable energy technology including MicroGrid and FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) Regulations.
- Work as a productive member of a team in the research, design, and implementation of renewable energy projects with the ability to communicate effectively through written, oral and graphic communication.
Career Opportunities
There is currently a shortage of qualified workers to support the renewable energy sector. Due to the rapid growth of this relatively new sector, there has been an equally impressive growth in the demand for certified technicians to install and service the associated equipment. By 2030, the renewable energies sector is projected to account for 20 percent of electricity production and the creation of 6.3 million jobs across North America.
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Renewable Energies Technician program will be employed by owners of renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms as well as third-party contractors to install and maintain equipment. Other opportunities may exist in sales and marketing, project site assessment, energy consulting, and regulatory functions.
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Renewable Energies Technician (Co-op) program:
Solar Technician
Conduct preventative maintenance and repair in order to maintain a utility-scale solar power plant in good working order.
Wind Turbine Technician
Perform wind turbine maintenance and/or installation.
Field Technician
Perform turbine maintenance, component installation, and replacement as necessary.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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