Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering is to train learners to be able to competently assist artisans, technicians or engineers working with renewable energy. The qualification trains learners to pre-artisan levels.

Renewable Energy Engineering provides the engineering underpinning for employment opportunities in a vast range of Renewable Energy installations. The knowledge profile of this qualification emphasises general principles and application in Renewable Energy Engineering, and demonstrates competence in Renewable Energy and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in a relevant occupation.

Achievement of the Graduate attributes are ensured by the module outcomes which are specified at appropriate National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels and the curriculum knowledge profile of that exceeds the requirements of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) standard (E-07-PN Rev3 of 23 January 2016).

Rationale

The institution is serving a vast area ranging from with many renewable installations including large and small grid connected solar (photovoltaic and concentrated solar), wind and hydro and similar off grid installations. Many industries, agriculture and private households have also installed renewable energy systems to improve their reliability of supply and reduce grid dependence Presently, much of the small scale work of installation and maintenance is undertaken by people with little knowledge of renewable energy. Hence this qualification is to train learners to pre-artisan level to be able to competently assist artisans, technicians and engineers working in the field of renewable energy.

This University due to its geographic position is serving a vast area ranging from the Tsitsikama coast to Somerset East and Bedford and the Northern Cape region with many renewable installations including large and small grid connected solar (photovoltaic and concentrated solar), wind and hydro and similar off grid installations. Many industries, agriculture and private households have also installed renewable energy systems to improve their reliability of supply and reduce grid dependence.

Presently, much of the small scale work of installation and maintenance is undertaken by people with little knowledge of renewable energy. Hence this qualification is to train learners to pre-artisan level to be able to competently assist artisans, technicians and engineers working in the field of renewable energy.

Learners that successfully completed the qualification will typically operate at the level of an assistant to an artisan. The areas of activity will usually be in the renewable energy installations sector and related industries. The occupations in which the learner may be employed as an assistant, includes: renewable energy installation, renewable energy design, renewable energy products manufacturing, energy surveying, electrification, house and factory wiring, energy planning, general electrical work.

The learning pathway of this qualification resides in the Electrical- and Mechanical Engineering field and may also relate to the Marine Engineering field. The pathway ranges from Grade 12, to Higher Certificate, onto BEngTech(Elect/Mechanical Engineering), to the BEngTech(Hons Mech) and on to a M.Eng. (Mechanical, Electrical) and a Ph.D (Mechanical, Electrical).

The typical range of learners will be Grade 12 learners who will have successfully obtained the minimum admission criteria as set by the department of Electrical Engineering for the Higher Certificate studies.

The Higher Certificate of Renewable Energy forms a pathway between the National Senior Certificate and employment or further education as an artisan, or diploma, or degree level. In particular, learners that achieve a Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering may apply for entry into the following B.Eng.Tech qualifications: Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical and Marine Engineering.

It is anticipated that learners who are capable, will be encouraged and enthused to enter the rapidly growing field of renewable energy, or energy in general, and will then be able to support themselves. With the increase in knowledge and capability of the learners, it is anticipated that they will assist in disseminating some of their knowledge more broadly throughout the society. This is anticipated to result in an increased uptake of renewable energy systems designed and installed at a higher quality level, thus boosting the economy. The consequent reduction in fossil fuel use will reduce South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions and pollution levels, as well as reducing the impact on the economy and society of the regular fossil fuel price rises.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL process will be considered for learners who do not meet the minimum admission requirements to the qualification. In such cases the RPL process will be used to determine the eligibility of relevant modules completed at other institutions in order for such modules to be credited against this quaification's requirements.

Learners who consider that they may qualified for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), must provide a portfolio of evidence. The portfolio of evidence provided by the learner will then be assessed by a panel of staff, to determine whether the required standards are met. RPL implementation will use a triangulated verification approach using portfolio of evidence and interviews. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant RPL policies and approval by relevant faculty structures.

Both formal and non-formal courses/modules will be evaluated. The NQF level and course content will be evaluated and compared with module content of the qualification's modules.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,140 Credits

• Mathematics, 14 Credits.
• Physical Science, 10 Credits.
• Renewable Energy Electrotechnology, 12 Credits.
• Mechanotechnology, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Computers, 14 Credits.
• Language Studies, 12 Credits.
• Renewable Energy Systems, 12 Credits.
• Solar Photovoltaic Systems, 12 Credits.
• Wind Energy Systems, 14 Credits.
• Hydro Systems, 14 Credits.
• Renewable Energy Projects, 14 Credits.

1. Apply Renewable Energy engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve specifically-defined Renewable Energy related engineering problems.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to wide practical procedures and practices to solve specifically-defined Renewable Energy related engineering problems.
3. Perform procedural design of specifically-defined Renewable Energy components or processes to meet desired needs within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
4. Conduct tests, experiments and measurements of specifically-defined Renewable Energy engineering problems by applying relevant codes and manufacturer guidelines.
5. Use appropriate established techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools including information technology for the solution of specifically-defined Renewable Energy engineering problems, with an awareness of the limitations.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing within a Renewable Energy engineering context.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of Renewable Energy engineering activity on society and the environment.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic Renewable Energy engineering management principles.
9. Demonstrate competence to engage in independent and life-long learning.
10. Understand and commit to ethics, responsibilities and norms of Renewable Energy engineering practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Define the basic Renewable Energy related problem and identify the criterion for an acceptable solution.
• Identify relevant information and Renewable Energy engineering knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
• Consider and formulate various approaches to problems in Renewable Energy and solutions that would lead to workable solutions.
• Identify solutions are identified in terms of strengths and weaknesses for the overall Renewable Energy solutions.
• Prioritise the Renewable Energy solutions in order of suitability.
• Formulate and present the preferred Renewable Energy solution in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Bring an appropriate mix of knowledge of mathematics, natural and engineering science at a fundamental level and in the Renewable Energy specialised area to bear on the solution of narrowly-defined engineering problems.
• Apply applicable principles and laws.
• Select aappropriate Renewable Energy related engineering materials, components or processes.
• Communicate Renewable Energy concepts and ideas effectively.
• Perform rreasoning about Renewable Energy engineering materials, components, systems or processes.
• Perform work within the boundaries of the Renewable Energy practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Formulate the basic Renewable Energy design problem to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Plan and manage the basic Renewable Energy design process to focus on important issues and recognises and deals with constraints.
• Acquire and evaluate Renewable Energy knowledge, information and resources in order to apply appropriate Renewable Energy principles and design tools to provide a workable solution.
• Perform basic Renewable Energy design tasks that include component testing to relevant premises, assumptions and constraints.
• Evaluate Renewable Energy engineering alternatives for implementation and select a preferred solution on an elementary, technical and cost basis.
• Communicate the basic Renewable Energy design logic and relevant information in a report.
• Identify Occupational health and safety and environmentally related risks and consider appropriate measures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Conduct tests, experiments and measurements within the Renewable Energy discipline.
• Identify and select available Renewable Energy engineering literature for suitability to the task.
• Renewable Energy equipment is used in accordance with original equipment manufacture's specifications.
• Interpret Renewable Energy information derived from available data.
• Draw basic conclusions from an evaluation of all available evidence.
• Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the task in a report.
• Identify Occupational health and safety and environmentally related risks and take appropriate measures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Select and apply the appropriate Renewable Energy methods, skills or tools are to achieve the required result.
• Verify the results produced by the methods, skills or tools against Renewable Energy requirements.
• Select and use Computer applications as required.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6

• Use appropriate structure, style and language of written and oral Renewable Energy related communication for the purpose of the communication and the target audience.
• Use appropriate and affective Renewable Energy related graphics in enhancing the meaning of text.
• Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
• Provide Renewable Energy information in a format that can be used by others involved in the engineering activity.
• Deliver the Renewable Energy related oral communication with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7

• Consider the Renewable Energy engineering activity in terms of the impact on the public health and safety.
• Consider the Renewable Energy engineering activity in terms of the impact on the natural environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8

• The principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling in the Renewable Energy engineering domain are explained.
• Renewable Energy related individual work is carried out effectively and on time.
• Individual contributions made to the Renewable Energy team activities support the output of the team as a whole.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9

• Identify, plan and Manage Renewable Energy and related learning tasks.
• Undertake independent learning in the Renewable Energy field: Apply and comprehend knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
• Awareness is displayed of the need to maintain continued competence through keeping abreast of up - to- date Renewable Energy tools and techniques available in the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 10

• Knowledge and understanding of the ethical implications of the impact of Renewable Energy engineering decisions.
• Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions or failure to act.
• Decision making is limited to area of current Renewable Energy competence.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessments will include inter alia the following

Formative Assessment

• Individual and collaborative group and direct lecturer formative feedback.
• Class tests with direct formative feedback via memoranda and discussions.
• Individual projects and assignments including feedback via assessment rubrics and scoring.
• Interactive computer-based simulations of engineering designs and problems.
• Group projects - including scoring and feedback via assessment rubrics.
• Individual presentations including feedback via assessment rubrics, lecturer and peer scoring.

Summative Assessment

• Closed and/or open book tests including scoring and feedback towards the end of a module.
• Group projects and assignments including scoring and feedback via assessment rubrics.
• Closed book examinations.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment processes, throughout the duration of the Renewable Energy project, will provide an opportunity for the learners to validate that they are able to integrate knowledge, concepts, ideas, skills, actions across the learning programme to achieve the required competence in order to meet the purpose of the qualification.