energy efficiency training centers

What is Energy Efficiency? Energy efficiency is "using less energy to provide the same service."

The best way to understand this idea is through examples:

~ When you replace a single pane window in your house with an energy-efficient one, the new window prevents heat from escaping in the winter, so you save energy by using your furnace or electric heater less while still staying comfortable.  In the summer, efficient windows keep the heat out, so the air conditioner does not run as often and you save electricity.

~ When you replace an appliance, such as a refrigerator or clothes washer, or office equipment, such as a computer or printer, with a more energy-efficient model, the new equipment provides the same service, but uses less energy. This saves you money on your energy bill, and reduces the amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere. Energy efficiency is not energy conservation.

 In partnership with the Governor’s Office, the SC Technical College System has established seven Energy Efficiency Training Centers (EETC). 

The EETCs are designed to respond to South Carolina’s growing unemployment and economic crisis by increasingjob growth and job retention for South Carolinians through delivery of short-term energy audit, energy efficiency and weatherization training programs. 

The EETCs provide training for assessing and safely improving the energy efficiency of existing and new construction for residential (site built, manufactured housing and multifamily) and industrial/commercial buildings. 

All EETCs offer training leading to certification by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) to ensure weatherization activities are consistently performed as well as enhance the accountability and transparency of the weatherization processes. 

BPI training and certifications offered include:

~ Building Analyst (BA)
~ Manufactured Housing Professional (MH),
~ Envelope Professional (EP)
~ Heating Professional (HP)
~ Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Professional (ACHPP)
~ Insulation & Air Sealing Technician* (IAST)
~ Insulation & Air Sealing Crew Chief*

*Actual BPI title is (currently) Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer (RBEWHALCI) and Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control Crew Chief (RBEWHALCC)

 

solar energy training centers

What is Solar (Thermal) Energy?
Solar Thermal systems capture the heat of the sun and use it to heat water. A properly installed system works year round, even when it is cloudy.

What is Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) Energy?
Solar PV is energy that is derived from the sun and converted into electricity. Energy from the sun is converted into electricity using solar collectors, most commonly known as solar panels. Solar panels consist of solar cells designed to capture energy from the sun.

In partnership with the Governor’s Office, the SC Technical College System has established four Solar Energy Training Centers (SETC). 

Training Centers train and certify individuals to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) instructional criteria and credentials. ttp://www.nabcep.org/

Solar PV Installer Certification
The target candidate for NABCEP certification is the person responsible for the system installation (e.g., contractor, foreman, supervisor, or journeyman).

The NABCEP PV installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners. http://www.nabcep.org/certification/pv-installer-certification

Solar Thermal Installer Certification
The target candidate for NABCEP certification is the person responsible for the system installation (e.g., contractor, foreman, supervisor, or journeyman).

The NABCEP solar thermal installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which solar thermal installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners.  http://www.nabcep.org/certification/solar-thermal-installer-certification

 

geothermal energy training centers

What is Geothermal Energy?
The term geothermal comes from the Greek geo, meaning earth, and therine, meaning heat, thus geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The earth’s temperature varies widely, and geothermal energy is usable for a wide range of temperatures from room temperature to well over 300°F

What are Ground Source Heat Pumps?
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored
energy of the greatest solar collector in existence: the earth. These systems use the earth's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings

In partnership with the Governor’s Office, the SC Technical College System has established two Geothermal Energy Training Centers (GETC). 

These training centers will train and certify individuals to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) instructional criteria and credentials.

IGSPHA Accredited Installer Training

The installation of Ground Source Heating Pump (GSHP) systems can help keep contractors competitive in a market forced to deal with rising energy costs and resource depletion. IGSPHA Installer Accreditation can open new markets and offer customers a low-maintenance, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative for home owners space conditioning needs.

The three day comprehensive Installation Workshops are designed for GSHP developers, architects, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, installers, HVAC contractors, trenching/drilling contractors, and anyone who desires a working knowledge of this innovative technology. Representatives from public utilities, private utilities, and rural electric cooperatives can also benefit from training. Information gathered from the workshops can help utility representatives serve as a source of information regarding money-saving concepts.

 

wind energy training centers

What is Wind Energy?

The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity

Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

 In partnership with the Governor’s Office, the SC Technical College System has established a Small Wind Energy Training Center (WETC). 

The training center will train and certify individuals to the International Small Wind Installer Certification utilizing NABCEP training criteria, http://www.nabcep.org/certification/small-wind.