NEF Academy : CPD courses
Short courses - CPD
A range of short courses (up to 5 days) in Continuing Professional Development are offered each year in various STEM and related disciplines. These CPD courses provide highly-focused training for professionals wishing to gain specialist knowledge and skills quickly. All our CPD courses are taught by experienced and recognised experts from academia and industry. See the list of short courses below for further details.
To learn more about the courses and to find out how you or your organisation can commission them, please get in touch: info@thenef.co.uk or +44 (0) 208 786 3677.
Course listings by subject area
- Low Carbon and Sustainability
- Composite Technologies
Low Carbon and Sustainability
Course 1: Wind Power (electricity large scale)
Drivers
The UK has the best wind resource in Europe. Only in recent years has the UK started to exploit what is one of the most proven methods of renewable electricity generation. The Government's Renewable Energy Strategy states that the ambitious target of generating 15% of all the UK's energy from renewables by 2020 means that 35-45% of electricity will have to come from green sources. The lion's share of these renewables will have to be wind, some 33GW of capacity, delivering over £60billion of investment and creating 160,000 green collar jobs.
Summary
This course in wind generation will look at the basic engineering principles behind wind power generation, the different designs and scales of turbines currently used and the on and off shore applications. Potential future developments will also be discussed. Particular focus will be placed on the manufacture, Installation & maintenance of these generators and the opportunities this sector presents for a UK workforce. There will be the opportunity to see the mechanics of a turbine up close and the grid connection systems involved.
Learning opportunities
- Principles of wind power generation;
- Manufacture, installation and maintenance of systems;
- Current Environmental concerns and mitigation;
- Renewables logistics;
- Offshore wind farm developments.
Course 2: Solar Power (electricity large scale)
Drivers
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a viable option for power generation at temperate latitudes. The UK is a long way behind the rest of Europe in the uptake of this low carbon energy resource. Germany, who has a comparable solar resource to our own, broke records last year when it installed 3,800 MW solar PV capacity in one year and are now approaching 12,000 MW installed capacity. In comparison in the UK we have an installed grand total capacity of 26.5 MW! There is huge potential for this technology in the UK.
Summary
This Course in solar PV systems will aim to give an overview of the different PV technologies. It will look into the installation process and different applications, i.e. solar farms, roof mounted and building integrated systems, and stand-alone arrays connected to battery banks. There will be opportunities to see a large scale PV array in operation and view the maintenance and metering of the system.
Learning opportunities
- Solar PV systems;
- Electrical engineering;
- Manufacture, installation and maintenance of systems;
- Renewable energy and National Grid integration;
- Roof types/solar integration.
Course 3: Wave and Tidal Power (electricity large scale)
Drivers
The ‘Marine Action plan 2010’ which has been developed by Government jointly with industry - sets out the actions needed to drive the marine energy sector forward. It recognises the UK’s position as a world leader and the opportunity of this sector to generate 15-20% of the UKs electricity from the marine resource. The deployment plan between now and 2030 sees implementation of small arrays between now and 2017 and deployment of large-scale arrays from 2014. The report highlights the need for extensive development of skills and education in order to support the successful expansion of this sector. The study also highlighted that there is a large number of solutions proposed as marine energy devices and these vary in both technical and commercial credibility and there was no consistent matching of commercial and technical skills.
Summary
This Course in wave and tidal power generation will highlight the potential for these technologies to contribute to the UK generation mix. It will cover the basic engineering principles behind wave and tidal engineering, focusing on the different types of systems being developed and the specific skills required from the workforce to support the sector There will be the opportunity to experience firsthand some of the issues regarding marine power generation; manufacture, installation and maintenance.
Learning opportunities
- Principles of wave and tidal power generation;
- Problems with installation;
- Manufacture, installation and maintenance of systems;
- Current environmental concerns and mitigation;
- Renewables logistics;
- Future developments.
Course 4: Low Carbon Vehicles
Drivers
The transport sector accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK and is one of the biggest challenges for a low carbon future. Various replacements for the traditional internal combustion engine are in a state of rapid development. There are increasing numbers of alternative drive vehicles on the road and rail systems in the UK. The manufacture, servicing and repair of these vehicles require a skill set outside that of traditional car mechanics.
Summary
This Course in low carbon vehicles is designed to introduce some of the leading developments in low carbon transport. Fuel cell, electric and hybrid systems will all be discussed along with analysis of drive train systems and the required infrastructure to support a national network. Processes of manufacture are demonstrated and practical experiences of some of the issues with the development of these systems are introduced through practical demonstrations and exercises at the industry training location.
Learning opportunities
- Fuel cells;
- Electric Vehicles;
- Hybrid designs;
- Drive train systems;
- Manufacture and maintenance of vehicles: parallels and perpendiculars to traditional engine mechanics;
- Storage of energy pros and cons;
- Charging infrastructure.
Course 5: Energy Transmission and Distribution
Drivers
70% of the UK electricity and gas transmission and distribution system was installed at least 20 years ago and some of the network infrastructure is over 70 years old. The sector faces the greatest period of development since its conception in the 1930’s. Issues such as integration of intermittent and distributed energy generation, smart grid developments and the move away from large centralised generation have seen the rebirth of the challenge to ‘keep the lights on’ that drove the development of the ageing infrastructure we use today. OFGEM, the UK energy regulator, have put the price tag of this challenge at £200bn.
Summary
This master class is designed to give an overview of the current energy distribution systems focusing on the gas and electrical grid. The National Grid will be discussed with regards to its conception, development to date, current reinforcement work and potential conversion to a smart grid in the future. Day-to-day control and maintenance issues will be learnt through practical activities at the National Grid central control offices. The vast scope of work planned in the redesign of the grid will be considered with regard to the workforce skills needed to implement.
Learning opportunities
- National Grid development (History, Drivers);
- Basic electrical engineering;
- Centralised control of National Grid (Voltage and Frequency response), spinning reserve, standing reserve black outs;
- The future of the grid: integration of renewables, smart meters, demand side management;
- Installation and maintenance of network assets.
Course 6: Metering & Smart Grid Systems
Drivers
The adage “you can’t manage what you don’t measure” is particularly true of energy management. The first step to reducing energy consumption is the installation of accurate and high temporal resolution metering systems: smart meters. For industry and business the benefits are obvious for the adoption of this technology and increasing legislation requires their installation. The UK Government has also pledged smart meters for every home in the UK by 2020. Smart meters are also an integral part of the smart grid: deemed by many to be the next stage of the National Grid. Demand side management using smart meters offers an extra level of control for the energy sector and is an important part of the future infrastructure of energy supply. This is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK and will require large skilled workforces for the design, manufacture and installation of these systems.
Summary
This workshop in smart metering and Smart Grid systems is designed to provide an introduction to the technology behind the different levels of ‘smart meter’ technology. From the installation of simple wired meters for real-time communication of energy consumption (electricity and gas) up to demand-side-management-capable smart meters and the integration into the grid control system. The class will focus on the skills and supply lines needed in this sector. There will be an opportunity to interact with a smart meter/grid system.
Learning opportunities
- Smart meter definitions;
- Electrical engineering;
- Demand side management of National Grid;
- Smart grid development;
- Smart grid integration into existing infrastructure.
Possible training locations
- Goran Strabec Imperial College location sugestions;
- TMD Liverpool SMART Grid trial;
- IMSERV demonstration location.
Course 7 District Heating Systems
Drivers
District heating systems will play a major role in meeting the ambitious 2020 emissions targets; they provide a very low carbon and efficient method to provide heating to a number of buildings/residences. Combined with a sustainable fuel source or utilising waste heat from industrial processes or as part of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant can further increase efficiencies and lower carbon impact of heating. Whilst this is a well exploited application in the rest of continental Europe, it is only now with the focus on increasing efficiency of heating systems that the UK market is reacting by installing large scale systems.
Summary
This Course in district heating systems is designed to give an overview of the design, installation and operation of a district heating system. Design and installation challenges facing the industry include integration into existing heating systems and correct sizing of heating system with demand. Fuel sources discussed include woodchip, pellet logs, gas, oil as well as CHP, waste to energy and solar applications. Skills associated with the design, installation and maintenance of these large-scale heating systems will be practically discussed. There will be opportunity to view the operation/installation of a district heating system.
Learning opportunities
- Heating engineering;
- Heat recovery;
- Low carbon heating;
- CHP;
- Manufacture, installation and maintenance of systems;
- Energy Supply Company (ESCo) concepts.
Course 8 Sustainable Building Management
Drivers
In January 2008, the European Parliament called on the Commission to propose a binding requirement that all new buildings needing to be heated and/or cooled are constructed to Passive House or equivalent non-residential standards from 2011. In line with this, In July 2007 the Government's Building A Greener Future: Policy Statement announced that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016; an ambitious target indeed! Due to its ecological and economical advantages, sustainable building management and associated ‘Passive House’ design elements are considered by many amongst the most economically attractive approaches to zero carbon developments.
Summary
This Course provides an opportunity to see sustainable living and building in action. It will provide an introduction and practical presentation of innovative low carbon building design elements such as LED Lighting etc, infrared heating, energy efficiency measures, etc, as well as ways to manage building energy use through Energy Management Systems.
Learning opportunities
- BREEAM, EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments;
- Computer simulation;
- Passive House designs;
- Metering;
- Energy balancing.
Course 9: Low Carbon Manufacturing
Drivers
Tackling climate change and the move towards a low carbon economy provides tangible, immediate benefits for business. Making this transition will mean a technological and social shift, and it is important that the UK seizes market opportunities to supply and lead the low carbon industries of the future.
Summary
The low carbon manufacturing Course provides an introduction to the new supply chains for low carbon technologies and also the integration of low carbon techniques, technologies, supply chains and behaviour into traditional and emerging manufacturing processes. Applicable technologies broadly fall into the two categories of energy efficiency and renewable energy. It will give an insight into opportunities presented by new low carbon markets and how companies may take advantage of these emerging technologies in sustainable manufacturing and to develop and introduce new low carbon products. Key aspects for which specialist engineering knowledge is required will be introduced, including the concept of energy efficiency and associated tools and methodologies, heat exchangers, Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), and relatively recent concepts such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Learning opportunities
- Energy auditing principles and methods;
- Process systems modelling;
- Heat exchange systems;
- CHP optimisation.
Course 10: Micro-Generation: Electricity
Drivers
With the introduction of the Feed In Tariff (FIT: A substantial support mechanism for renewable electricity) in April 2010 the Government sent a strong signal of support to the microgeneration of electricity. The predicted result of the FIT can be modelled by looking at the experience from countries such as Germany, Spain and the US. All show a significant wide-scale adoption of technologies and in some cases the development of a global leading industry (PV in Germany). The technologies supported by the scheme and the associated manufacture, installation and maintenance services will be in high demand over the coming years and, if the tariffs work as they are designed to, there will be a number of viable industries built at the same time.
Summary
This Course is designed to introduce distributed electrical generation technologies: Small wind turbines, solar PV, small hydro and MicroCHP. The class will look at some of the challenges facing the large-scale uptake of these technologies from the perspective of the required skills and supply chains needed for rapid and sustained growth. Issues associated with the manufacture and installation of these small systems will be experienced firsthand with a site/factory tour.
Learning opportunities
- Small wind systems;
- Small PV;
- Cost analysis;
- UK manufacturing;
- Installation techniques (foundations/roofing).
Course 11: Micro-Generation: Heat
Drivers
As part of a suite of incentives to encourage microgeneration uptake in the UK the UK Government will introduce an innovative support mechanism called the Renewable Heat incentive (RHI) designed to make it attractive to install a renewable heat generation systems. Industry supporting technologies included in the scheme will see a rapid growth over the coming years as a result not only of the RHI but also due to increasing fuel costs and the desire for sustainable energy systems.
Summary
This Course will look at the different options for the microgeneration of heat in the UK including biomass, heat pumps (ground & air source), solar systems and micro-combined CHP. The class will take a look at the pros and cons of each system and some of the challenges facing the industries set to deliver these low carbon technologies. The skills required by this sector are largely in existence in the plumbing and heating engineering sectors but there are some unique requirements and a shift in methodologies that require new ways of thinking for the industry.
Learning opportunities
- Basic heating engineering;
- Cost Benefit Analysis of various systems in a given situation;
- Plumbing and electrical theory: new applications in an old industry;
- Manufacture, installation and maintenance of systems.
Course 12 : Anaerobic Digestion / Energy from Waste
Drivers
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a well proven, clean, sustainable and safe renewable energy and waste management technology. It provides both a source of renewable energy as well as soil conditioner/fertiliser. AD is likely to play a major role in the reduction of GHG emissions across the farming sector and the water industry. It also presents an alternative waste treatment method, thereby diverting wastes from landfill and recovering value from them. AD is a well established technology across mainland Europe, but like with most other renewable technologies, the UK is lagging behind in its implementation. While already applied, to a larger extent, by the wastewater industry for the digestion of sewage sludge, there is great potential for its widespread uptake across the farming sector, not least due to the valuable ‘by’-product digestate that may be re-applied to farmland as fertiliser. The Government is working to facilitate a much greater uptake of AD by local authorities, businesses and farming, with the objective to stimulate the growth of the technology by addressing barriers, and providing financial assistance and market support.
Summary
This Course will provide an overview of the various applications of AD and energy from waste. There will be opportunities to see an AD plant in operation and gain an appreciation of the importance of correct management of the AD process and its feed-stocks. While on first appearance a relatively simple technology, the technical complexities and need for well trained engineers to operate the equipment will become apparent.
Learning opportunities
- Operational understanding of AD systems and other types of energy from waste plants;
- Obtain an overview of the benefits of AD;
- Appreciation of the importance of AD for the future of the UK agricultural sector;
- Introduction to the challenges of bringing small scale AD to UK farmers.
Composite Technologies
Course 1: Introduction to Composite Materials Technology - 3 Days (level 3)
Days 1 and 2 - will be a ‘hands on’ introduction covering the
- basic principles of ‘pre-preg’ manufacture and
- quality inspection through a mix of theoretical and practical sessions.
- manufacture a carbon fibre sandwich panel and then
- inspect the quality of this panel using non destructive testing techniques.
These practical exercises will help you to develop your knowledge and understanding of composite materials and their manufacture. You will also be introduced to the design of composites and to the health and safety issues and considerations.
Day 3 will be delivered at the Advanced Composites Group in Derby and will include familiarisation with industrial production facilities [TBC].
Course 2: Advanced Composites Processes and Tooling - 1 Day (level 4)
This course will focus on the wide range of advanced composites manufacturing methods available. You will gain an understanding of how crucial the manufacturing process is to the form and quality of this net shape material. This will finish with an introduction to advanced manufacturing processes used in the manufacture of aerospace components at Airbus.
Course 3: Advanced Composites Materials and Testing - 1 Day (level 4)
This short course will focus the wide range of possible materials available, from natural composites such as jute reinforced gypsum to very advanced metal matrix composites, such as silicon carbide reinforced titanium. You will then be introduced to the range of test methods available to measure the structural properties of the material and the quality of the finished laminates and components.
Course 4: Advanced Composites Design - 2 Days (level 4)
This short course will start by developing your understanding of the fundamental concepts of design with composites. You will then be given an appreciation of more advanced design techniques. The design session has been scheduled to enable participants to have a good appreciation of composite materials and their manufacture before considering design issues.