Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology - International ...

Skills Deficiencies11The same approach is required to investigate the implementation and training for large scalesolar farms. It is essential that we identify the major differences in training a workforce fordomestic installations and maintenance as opposed to large scale solar projects.Wind – Offshore Wind FarmsWhat are the skills, knowledge and qualifications required for the successful training of theappropriate personnel for the construction and maintenance of large-scale offshore windprojects? According to Wendy Miller, Senior Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy forQueensland University of Technology, “there is a world wide shortage for people with therequired skills, knowledge and experience in the area of wind”. 7Germany and the Scandinavian countries are world leaders in this renewable technology.These countries are currently not only refining their on land based wind farm technologies,but also developing offshore wind farms. This includes the development of physically largermachines such as the 5Mwatt wind turbine to be placed out at sea.The world’s largest wind turbine, a 120-meter (394-feet) behemoth capable of generating 5MW at full output, has just been officially inaugurated and connected to the German electricalgrid. “We’re proud of the way our engineers and installers have successfully realised thesenew dimensions”, stated Chairman of REpower Fritz Vahrenholt. The “5M” turbine, designedand built by Germany’s REpower, was officially inaugurated at a dedication event in Germanythis week with over 600 guests from business and politics. In a symbolic gesture, the turbinewas activated by the German Federal Minister for the Environment, Jurgen Trittin.Germany has one of the strongest wind power markets in world. In bare figures, windpower already meets more than 30 percent of the electricity demand in the German statesSchleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.Reference: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.comIt is essential that Australia engage with research that investigates and determines thedifference of working onshore as opposed to offshore. Key questions to be explored are:• “What are the safety and training issues for offshore workers?”• “Do offshore workers need to be more multi-skilled and cross-trade skilled people to beinvolved in such projects because of the nature and environment of the work?”Courtesy: www.c-power.be7 Renewable Energy: Development of policy, technology and education knowledge and skills by Wendy Miller, School ofEngineering Systems Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering Queensland University of Technology