With a widening skilled-labour shortage and quickly advancing technology in the energy sector, there is a demand for energy systems technicians who possess a breadth of knowledge across the mechanical, electrical, electronic and automation engineering fields. As such, graduates are prepared to apply knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics and mechanics to industries such as: moulding and casting, integrated circuit packaging, heat exchanger/ boiler design and manufacture and petrochemical processing. On the other hand, Centennial College energy systems engineering program grads also have the option to enter year three of the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program to pursue further study.
Centennial College’s energy systems engineering program is focused on teaching students the fundamental skills to understand energy and its uses in modern society. The program is challenging, but offers a unique blend of technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills that are highly sought after in modern energy and sustainable building companies. As such, students learn through the use of practical labs, lectures, applied research and development projects. In addition, the opportunity exists for students to work on state-of-the-art energy systems.
Guiding students with through such learning methods are experienced faculty members, who teach a technical curriculum. Courses within the energy systems technician training include: Physics (a basic physics course in kinematics and dynamics); Renewable Energy Systems (involves the description, theory design and operation of renewable energy systems. The renewable energy systems presented are: wind energy, solar systems, geothermal heat pumps, biomass, small hydraulics and fuel cells); Computer Aided Drafting (dual purpose of this course is to allow students to become familiarized with the basic technical drawing elements of mechanical engineering graphics as well as the concepts and features of the AutoCAD computer-assisted-drafting program); and more.
Future energy systems technicians wishing to study at Centennial College must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have the credits for compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.
In addition to the various industries in which energy systems technicians work, they also have a variety of duties. Overall, these experts implement energy solutions for commercial and residential buildings using knowledge of energy systems, energy efficiency and renewable/distributed energy systems. Energy systems technicians may also operate power plants of various sizes; design and maintain heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration units; and work with architectural companies to integrate energy technologies into the latest green buildings.