ALTERNATIVE (RENEWABLE) ENERGY

Study renewable energy at home; extensive 100 hour course, teaching what is alternative energy, ways of producing it, and living off the grid.

Course Code: VSS102
Fee Code: S1
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
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Learn all about alternative energy.

 
Explore the possibilities for clean, renewable and environmentally sensitive energy. 
For small scale or large scale; domestic or commercial.
 

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Scope and Nature of Alternative Energy, and Associated Problems
  2. Understanding The Physics, Measures and Laws of Energy
  3. Generating Electricity
  4. Storing and Using Electricity
  5. Non-Electric Systems
  6. Energy Consumption
  7. Conserving Energy
  8. Conversion to Alternative Energy Systems

WE NEED ENERGY FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS

Everyone uses energy today; from batteries in our phones to electricity for cooking, lighting and heating our homes.

Most of us don't think too much about where our energy comes from, and whether it will always be available. Even if it remains available, it's supply might might not be as reliable, or at the same cost that it is today.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR GETTING ENERGY

There are lots of different types of renewable energy. All have the same one thing in common: the source is not being diminished further and further, each time you use that energy. 

  • Alternative Energy is commonly defined as energy that is generated from non-fossil fuel resources and that does not harm the environment. Generally speaking nuclear energy is not included.
  • Renewable Energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenished such as solar, wind, wave/tidal, hydroelectric, biofuels and geothermal energy.
  • Solar Energy is energy from the sun’s solar radiation and can be divided into passive (no mechanical devices) and active solar energy (such as photovoltaic).
  • Wind Energy is energy from the conversion of wind to electricity by a wind turbine.
  • Hydropower Energy is energy generated by moving water, commonly from waterwheels, hydroelectric dams but also from tides and more.
  • Biofuels are fuels generated from plant biomass, including bio-diesel and ethanol.
  • Geothermal Energy is energy derived from the heat of the Earth’s core (underground).
 
LEARNING BETTER ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Better energy management is important for both yourself as an individual, as well as for the wider good -for social and environmental stability and sustainability.  

Managing energy starts with an understanding of what energy is, the different ways we can create it and the different ways it can be used. From there we can consider and develop more efficient and less wasteful.  

This course helps you understand energy in a broad and general sense, and the various ways in which all of these different types of energy can be harnessed for use by man.
You learn to:
  • make better choices about where you obtain your energy from and how you use it. 
  • consider options for creating your own energy; and become less reliant on buying in energy from "the grid" or other mainstream energy sources.
  • reduce the quantity of energy you use, by reducing "energy waste (such as heat lost to the environment) 
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112

Alternative Technology Association Member

Accredited ACS Global Partner

Member of Study Gold Coast

Recognised since 1999 by IARC




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Bob James (Horticulturist)

Bob has over 50 years of experience in horticulture across both production sectors (Crops and nursery) and amenity sectors of the industry.
He holds a Diploma in Agriculture and Degree in Horticulture from the University of Queensland; as well as a Maste

Barbara Seguel

Teacher and Researcher, Biologist, Aquaculture expert.
Barbara has a B.Sc. and M.Sc in Aquaculture Engineering.
Over the past decade, Barbara has worked in Hawaii, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand, and is now settled in Australia. She has co authored severa

John L. Mason

Auithor of "Commercial Hydroponics", one of the world's best selling hydroponic books for more than 20 years. John completed a Diploma in Horticultural Science at Australia's oldest horticulture college in 1971. In 1974 he was asked to create and teach a

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