Green Technologies

 LCL-R3036. Air Source Unit

• The learner will know the preparatory work required for the installation of an air source heat pump.
• The learner will know the common requirements for the installation of an air source heat pump connected to hydraulic emitter circuits.
• The learner will install heat pump units (non-refrigeration units).
• The learner will test and commission an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).
• The learner will be able to undertake the non-refrigerant circuit routine service and maintenance of an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).

Assessment: e-Assessment and practical scenarios

Duration: 3 days

Location: Professional Skills Centre Dundrod

See link for further information heat pump installers information and prerequisites

This qualification is primarily aimed at fully qualified electricians (with 18th Edition). Non-electrically competent persons are welcome, provided they have a vested interest in solar PV systems.

Pre-requisites: A Level 3 Electrotechnical N/SVQ qualification or equivalent, plus, a current Level 3 qualification in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671:2018, plus, a Level 3 qualification in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations

Duration: 4 days

This course is for heating and plumbing installers who need to gain the knowledge of the Water Regulations (1999) before applying to join their local water authorities “Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme”. The course is made up of one multiple choice written assessment, you will be required to attend college for 1 full day. The cost of the course includes training, assessment and te certification fee. Course Modules are: Water regulations interpretation and definitions, Requirements, design and installation, Hot and cold water services, Materials and substances, Backflow and contamination prevention, Flushing devices, Sanitary appliances; both internal and external.

Pre-requisites: Candidates should ideally have two years plumbing experience.

Duration: 1 Day

The aim of this course is to train candidates in the installation and safety requirements of unvented hot water cylinders. The candidate will also gain an understanding of Building Regulation Part G3. The programme will provide an extensive insight into Unvented Hot Water Cylinders and will prepare candidates for end of programme examinations leading to recommendation to Blueflame for certification. Upon completion of the course the candidate will be able to:  Recognise the various forms of hot water supplies, State the functional requirements of Unvented Domestic Hot Water systems, Design an Unvented system to comply with Part G of the Building Regulations, Carry out commissioning of an Unvented System State and rectify common causes of faults in an Unvented System.

Pre-requisites: It is essential that HWSS candidates will be experienced in the installation of domestic cold and hot water systems. It is also essential that they hold one DCLG recognised competency in a conventional fuel i.e. gas, oil or solid fuel; or for those in the plumbing field an NVQ level 2 or equivalent plumbing qualification or experience.

Duration: 1 day

SERC has developed a partnership with EOGB modulating boilers which use HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).  These are a replacement heating appliance for oil boilers and EOGB are the first company to produce a fully modulating, low NOx appliance which incorporates the following:

• The Sapphire blue flame boiler provides heating engineers with a solution to fit efficient oil boilers with significantly lower NOx.
• Reduced heating bills for their customers due to the first fully modulating HVO bioliquid The combustion process that takes place within a blue flame burner differs to and is much cleaner than in standard yellow flame burners.
• The combustion gases within a blue flame burner are re-circulated through a specially designed longer blast tube which has a ring of slots within the combustion chamber. This design allows the combustion gases to mix with atomised droplets of fuel and fresh air (oxygen)drawn in through the burner, to produce a clean blue flame which has much lower NOx emissions.
• The important thing to remember is that blue flame technology remains highly efficient with the added benefit of significantly lower levels of NOx emissions to current legislation.
• Modulation reduces the volume of CO2 - Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere by percentage/volume, this can only be measured through flue gas analysis and comparable equivalence in similar volumes of POC - Product of combustion from non-modulating fossil fuel appliances, furthermore EOGB appliances reduce the NOX & SOX (Nitrous Oxide & Sulphur Oxide) emissions responsible for Acid Rain, again only measurable through flue gas analysis.

Pre-requisites: OFTEC or Gas Safe registration is desirable and a knowledge of plumbing and geating systems is essential

Duration: 30 hrs

The purpose of this Low Energy Building Course is to create an awareness of both new and retrofit dwellings that are high quality, safe and fit for the future. This course aims to clarify the impacts and timescales of Low Energy Buildings and to get the candidate thinking about how to prepare for what should be the most radical shake-up of the energy efficiency of domestic dwellings within both the construction and building services industry in a generation.

• Lower U-Values by improving Insulation throughout the entire structure.
• Continuous Airtight seals such Wind/Vapour Barriers.
• Thermal Bridging both in Wall and Window installation.
• High Performance External Doors and Glazing.
• Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery.  

Pre-requisites: Desirable construction or engineering background

Duration: 2 days

Hydrogen Awareness – brief introduction to the current gas network, pipework systems, meters, regulators and appliance types. History of Hydrogen use and recent developments. UK Government Strategy for Net Zero 2050. Properties of Hydrogen. Manufacturer of Hydrogen – Grey, Blue and Green. Combustion in Hydrogen – Dangers of H2 use. Gas infrastructure innovation. Appliance innovation. Pure gas pipework systems, limitations and consideration of material types.

Pre-requisites: Desirable construction or engineering background

Duration: 2 days

This course is for staff involved in the operation of building water systems within hospitals and healthcare environments. This includes Plumbing Installers, Heating Technicians, Design Engineers, Maintenance Personnel as well as staff responsible for Infection Control and Water Treatment services. Some of the content involved in the course will be: How to improve patient safety in daily work duties by work processes, The microbiology and health effects of water borne bacteria that can cause harm to human health, Prevention and control of the risks associated with the management of water –borne bacteria, Application of relevant legislation within day-to-day duties, Ability to understand and demonstrate the correct protocols for working on and around water systems within healthcare, How to communicate, manage and understand how actions impact on the protection of vulnerable patients, Practical workshop demonstrations on fault identification and processes will be included on the course as well.

Duration: 1 day  

The Legionella Prevention and Water Treatment course is designed to help plumbers; operators and managers comply with the Code of Practice.   The course will help learners comply with their legal duties including identifying and assessing sources of risk, preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk, implementing, managing and monitoring precautions and keeping records of control measures taken.

Pre-requisites: Although there are no formal pre-requisites to this qualification, applicants should be working within the industry.

Duration: 1 Day

The aim of the OCN NI Level 5 Award, Certificate and Extended Certificate in Green Technologies is to provide the learner with an understanding of the application of green technologies including installation practices and processes.

• Solar Photo Voltaic Systems (9 Credits)
• Anaerobic Digestion (10 Credits)
• Solar Thermal Decarbonisation of Hot Water Systems (8 Credits)
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems (10 Credits)
• Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps (10 Credits)
• Hydrogen Production Systems and Technologies (10 Credits)
• Sustainable Alternative Biofuels (7 Credits)
• Electrical Energy Storage Systems (9 Credits)

All units have a mix of both practical and theory training and also require online assignments completion as well as practical assessments.

Building energy retrofitting provides substantial opportunities to reduce the level of building energy consumption, saves cost, improves comfort level, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. Building retrofitting is a form of technical intrusion in the energy system of a building to effectively utilize its energy. Retrofitting homes not only cuts carbon emissions, but it also makes it cheaper to heat our homes and overcomes issues around poor ventilation and damp. This helps lift people out of fuel poverty and reduces health problems associated with cold homes.

The operation of buildings accounts for around 15% of UK carbon emissions. A considerable portion of which is attributable to our homes. Reducing carbon emissions from existing homes represents one of the biggest challenges facing the UK in our transition to a net zero economy by 2050. In fact, greening the UK’s housing stock would mean retrofitting 1 million homes every single year for the next 30 years. Comprises a mix of online learning and assignments with 4 optional units which have practical training and practical assessments.

• Unit 001: Demonstrate an Understanding of Domestic Deep Energy Retrofit (GLH 5) 1 credit
• Unit 002: Evaluate existing domestic buildings for Retrofitting (GLH 15) 3 credits
• Unit 003: Determine Thermal Efficiency & Moisture Risks within Retrofit Buildings (GLH 30) 6 credits
• Unit 004: Improvement Options for Retrofit Buildings (GLH 15) 3 credits
• Unit 005: Air Tightness and Ventilation in Retrofit Buildings (GLH 15) 3 credits Unit
• 006: Upgrading Insulation of Roofs and Floors during Retrofit (GLH21) 5 credits Unit
• 007: Reducing the thermal transmittance of Walls and Windows (GLH 21) 3 credits
• Unit 008: Upgrading the Mechanical and Electrical Services during Retrofit. (GLH 19) 3 credits
• Unit 009: Introducing renewable energy systems and storage to Retrofit Projects (GLH 19) 3 credits Unit
• 010: Retrofit Quality Assurance and Post Retrofit Monitoring (GLH 05) 3 credits

Learners will be introduced to the scope and opportunities offered within the construction industry for those working on retrofit. Learners will also develop knowledge of the requirements of the roles involved in retrofit. This will include specific responsibilities in retrofit. Learners will develop their knowledge of retrofit in practice (PAS 2035) and how these impacts on the installation and preparation for a property retrofit system. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• LO1: Understand safe working practices for the retrofit industry
• LO2: Understand the benefits of PAS 2035 when working in the retrofit industry
• LO3: Understand the impact of PAS 2035 in the retrofit industry

From 31 December 2020 all Construction Skills Register (CSR) skilled cards or above that were originally issued based on an occupational assessment (Grandfather rights) and Industry Accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024. Once these cards expire (on 31 December 2024) candidates will then have to be registered on or achieved an NVQ Level 3 or 4 qualification (applicable to the card level they are applying for e.g. NVQ Level 3 for gold craft card) based on their occupation. 

This qualification is aimed at those who have responsibility for organising and supervising work on Construction sites including the planning and controlling of work methods, allocation of equipment, personnel and materials, and ensuring work is completed to the required standard and ensuring communication is clear and effective. Click here for more info