Energy
Sustainable Energy Technology Courses
Location
Online
Credential
Certificate or Diploma
Program Length
varies/30 credits or 63 credits
You need to know
- There are 10 courses in the certificate program.
- There are 11 more courses in the diploma program.
- We recommend you start with RC 200 Basic Energy Principles.
- There are optional entry points - courses - where you can start the program.
- You may take the program part-time or full-time.
- Expect to spend 10 -15 hours per week per course. We recommend only taking 2 courses at one time.
Important registration notes:
- You register for these courses once you have applied to and have been accepted in the program. You'll use My Lakeland to register for those courses.
- You must register at least 2 weeks before a class starts so that you can get your textbook in time.
You can find the full schedule of dates and deadlines for our courses on the Important Dates page.
Certificate Level Courses
| CO 255 Strategic Communication & Community Engagement - 3 credits |
| Communicating effectively is an essential skill for working in any industry. CO 255 addresses the practice of communication skills within the business environment, including work with scientific literature, proposals and bids, estimates, scientific report writing, business administration details, and customer/employee service. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 200 Basic Energy Principles - 3 credits |
| This course provides a basic understanding of the principles of energy systems, including electricity, heat, energy movement and water flow. The course also examines the principles related to energy storage and transfer. The course provides a basic math review and provides practice with the basic types of calculations used in the energy industry. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 201 Energy & Environment - 3 credits |
| This course examines the global aspects of energy movement in the natural environment, and where and how products like carbon are naturally stored and cycled. Our current energy production practices are reviewed in this context, and the potential environmental concerns associated with them are identified, including greenhouse gases and other potential contaminants. The course draws linkages to where we are at today, and where we may be in the future if changes are not implemented. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 202 Energy Audits & Conservation Practices - 3 credits |
| This course inspects how a home energy audit measures energy efficiency in a residential home. This course also examines methods to reduce energy consumption in residential homes. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 203 Global Impact of Climate Instability - 3 credits |
| This course examines the broader potential impacts of a warming planet. The potential impacts on plants, animals and mankind are considered. Opposing theories about global warming and the potential implications are reviewed. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 204 Introduction to Wind Energy - 3 credits |
| This is an introductory course that examines the development of wind power as an alternative renewable energy source. Topics of discussion include the need to assess wind energy potential, types of wind turbines, global development of wind power and environmental aspects. Both large commercial and small wind power applications are introduced. Pre/co-requisite: RC200 or equivalent |
| RC 205 Introduction to Solar Energy - 3 credits |
| This is an introductory course that examines the effective use of solar energy for supplementing heat and electricity demands in buildings. Topics include solar system components, general system planning, design considerations, and safe installation guidelines. Prerequisite: RC 200. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 206 Geo Energy Exchange - Installation - 3 credits |
| Geo Energy Exchange -- Installation reviews the application of geothermal energy systems. In addition this course introduces the ongoing developments of energy exchange beyond the typical ground source applications. Participants examine energy exchange principles, geothermal heat pump systems, the economic and marketing factors of the energy exchange industry, and the geological factors related to geo-applications. The installation process, maintenance issues, and basic controls are detailed. Prerequisite: RC 200. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 207 Introduction to Biofuels - 3 credits |
| This course examines the basic principles and practices of current biofuel production. Topics include an overview of the production processes of biodiesel and ethanol. Quality, cost, and performance issues of these fuels are discussed as well as their benefits and challenges. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 208 Waste Reduction, Reuse & Recycling - 3 credits |
| Throughout the world the accumulation of solid waste is a complex and escalating problem. This course introduces methods to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste. Pre/co-requisites: None |
Note:
- RC 200 is a prerequisite for RC 204, RC 205 or RC 206.
- RC 204 can be taken as a co-requisite with RC 200.
Diploma Level Courses
| BA 215 Small Business Management - 3 credits |
| This course covers basic principles and practices related to establishment and operation of a small business. Basic marketing, financial control systems, accounting requirements and personnel obligations are reviewed. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 210 Water Issues & Conservation Practices - 3 credits |
| The availability of good quality water is considered to be one of the biggest issues of the future. This course looks at global water sources, quality of water supplies and what needs to be done to conserve water. Potential water conservation practices for agriculture, industry and homeowners are reviewed. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 320 Small Wind Energy Systems - 3 credits |
| This is an advanced course that examines the steps involved in establishing a wind energy installation. Topics of discussion include assessment of the installation site, wind assessment, electrical components and considerations of a wind energy system, selecting a turbine and system as well as coverage of regulations, paperwork and safety. Prerequisite: RC 204. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 321 Solar Thermal Systems - 3 credits |
| RC321 examines the current types of residential (applicable to small commercial) solar thermal applications and components, their installation and maintenance, advanced details on thermal collector performance, sizing of components, integrating heating systems and system controls. Students review the solar heat opportunity of a building’s overall energy patterns, evaluate existing solar installations, recommend improvements, and design and plan the installation of a new solar heating system for a building of their choice. Prerequisite: RC 205. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 322 Geo Energy Exchange - Design Principles - 3 credits |
| This course examines the design aspects of Geo-Exchange systems related to a residential application. Prerequisite: RC 206. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 323 Bio Energy & Biogas - 3 credits |
| RC 323 is an introductory course which gives a broad overview of the conversion of biomass directly to energy (heat or electricity) or other forms of stored energy (biogas/liquid/solid fuels). The focus is on commercial scale applications of bioenergy. Prerequisite: RC 200. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 324 Sustainable Building Design & Practice - 3 credits |
| This course examines sustainable building construction techniques, building location in the landscape, and options to use building design and features to optimize energy and resource conservation. Topics include site specific design related to climate, passive solar, natural lighting, and integration of renewable energy systems. The LEED building accreditation is also introduced. The course looks at the broad picture of how individuals and businesses can incorporate good design, and both technical and lifestyle changes to reduce our ecological footprint. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| RC 325 Solar Photovoltaic Systems - 3 credits |
| This course reviews solar photovoltaic (solar PV) applications and equipment, focusing on design, installation and maintenance. Using a project-based approach, this course provides advanced details regarding sizing and selecting components, and planning a solar PV project from start to finish. Prerequisite: RC 205. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 326 Electrical Installation & Code - 3 credits |
| This is an advanced course that details the codes and regulations which govern the installation of electrical renewable energy systems in residential and commercial buildings in Canada. Topics include the electrical code, building code and examples of regulations or bylaws that may pertain to grid-tie and off-grid solar electric and wind turbine installations. Prerequisite: RC 205. Co-requisites: None |
| RC 430 Integration of Distributed Energy Systems - 3 credits |
| This course examines the monitoring and control logistics and integration challenges of the distributed renewable energy technologies of solar, wind and geo-exchange into new construction or creating compatibility with existing energy systems. This course through the use of holistic design thinking, integrates the knowledge learned about the individual renewable technologies and essential performance factors that may be required to be monitored and controlled. Prerequisites: RC 320, RC 321 & RC 325. Co-requisites: RC 322. |
| RC 431 Renewable Energy On-Site Lab - 3 credits |
| A hands-on lab component related to the wind, solar, geothermal, and system measurement and control courses are held at the Vermilion, Alberta campus of Lakeland College. This hands-on lab component is a very important part of the diploma program where students work with the equipment and practice many of the essential skills required. Prerequisites: RC 320 , RC 321, RC 322, RC 325 & RC 430. Co-requisites: None |
When you have completed all the online diploma courses, you are required to attend an on-site lab on our Vermilion campus (RC 431). This lab will be offered annually over a 1-week period and will bring together sustainable energy systems theory and practice.
Program starting points and prerequisites |
| You may start the program with a number of different courses. We do recommend starting with RC 200 Basic Energy Principles.
Other options for starting the program are courses that don't have prerequisites:
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