Focus on renewables – Canberra Institute of Technology

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8 November 2021

CIT’s Renewable Energy Skills Centre of Excellence (the Centre) was formed in 2015 through the establishment of the CIT Renewables Board as a joint initiative of CIT, Neoen and Hornsdale Wind Farm Stage 1. The Centre’s purpose is to provide outstanding, practical training to prepare students for a career in the renewable energy sector.

CIT has for many years established industry networks in the sector, built practical facilities for training and hosted industry events including forums and hackathons.

Ilsa Stuart, CIT’s Senior Manager – Renewables, highlighted that CIT is an enabling arm to industry, supporting the renewable energy and sustainability workforce by leading the development and teaching of practical, technical skills required across the ACT Region, Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

“CIT’s strategic links to industry in the sector offers students opportunities to learn and gain exposure to developing renewable energy technologies as well as participate in tours of renewable energy facilities around Australia and internationally.”

CIT offers training in solar technology including solar photovoltaic, battery storage systems, small battery training and grid connection training for qualified electricians and electrical apprentices. CIT was one of the first providers in Australia to deliver Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certified training in the ACT and surrounding regional NSW. The Institute’s state-of-the-art facility is a life-like worksite that can safely accommodate different student groups simultaneously, while they undertake a range of training activities.

 

As interest in green hydrogen as a clean energy source for power and fuel increases, CIT is well positioned to support this emerging industry and has partnered with Evoenergy to build a first-of-its-kind hydrogen test facility at CIT’s Fyshwick campus. The facility is testing how hydrogen interacts with Evoenergy’s network materials, work practices and equipment to look at hydrogen gas as a replacement for natural gas. Both Evoenergy and CIT plan to use the facility to train plumbing students on working with hydrogen, to equip them with skills well into the future.

The Sustainable Skills Training Hub at CIT Bruce Campus is a purpose-built facility for hands-on green skills training for residential and commercial sectors. The Hub was recently upgraded with a microgrid installed to power the build using solar panels and a 120kW battery with plans to further expand the facility.

Also built at CIT is a multi-purpose, sustainable house and training facility, showcasing environmentally- aware construction technologies. It includes the very best of solar passive design and renewable energy systems and is an excellent facility for students to learn about renewable concepts.

CIT will host the annual ZeroCO2 Renewable Energy and Sustainability forum in early November 2021 in partnership with the ACT Government, Neoen and the Canberra Innovation Network. The event supports the ACT Government’s goal to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045. At these forums industry and academic experts discuss key issues facing climate change, the environment and community, and showcase the technology available in the renewables sector. The event also raises awareness about career opportunities within the renewables’ workforce.

Looking to the future, CIT in collaboration with industry is co-designing programs in cyber security for the renewables sector, Indigenous land care, hydrogen and the development of renewable energy career pathway resources for school students.

For information about CIT Renewable Energy Skills

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Wind turbine training at CIT
CIT students installing solar at Bruce Campus