Telford College’s centre for battery energy storage training is helping to upskill local electricians, technicians and engineers in an important element of renewable power systems.

The accredited LCL Awards course is run in conjunction with training company GTEC, supported by Telford-based specialist battery supplier and manufacturer AceOn Group.

The qualification covers the installation of dedicated Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS) in accordance with the relevant IET Code of Practice, and is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Successful candidates receive a level three certificate from LCL Awards, one of the building services engineering sector’s most respected awarding organisations.

The two-day course provides detailed theoretical and practical knowledge, focused on giving tradespeople the skills to size and safely install an EESS, depending on the application.

Operations manager Gabriella Clack is among the latest to complete the course at Telford College, which is a GTEC approved centre – describing it as a ‘great’ experience.

She works for family business Alderminster; a building services installation company based in Shipston on Stour near Stratford on Avon which covers electrics and heating, including renewables.

Gabriella, a qualified electrician, said she had noticed over the last six months a significant increase in the number of customers enquiring about battery storage.

“A growing number of our customers have Solar PV panels and with the cost of electricity soaring and the fact that householders no longer benefit from the Feed-in Tariffs, many understand that it makes sense to store the energy produced during the day, for the evenings when their energy needs peak.”

Gabriella attended Telford College to take GTEC’s two-day course in the installation of battery storage units so that she could be better informed as to the benefits of battery storage – and undertake as well as oversee battery installations by her colleagues.

Telford College opened its specialist centre dedicated to the installation of battery storage units, earlier this year. The centre is delivering LCL Awards accredited level 3 qualification, in conjunction with GTEC and the Telford-based specialist battery supplier and manufacturer AceOn Group.

The college’s forward-looking enterprise has been designed to up-skill local electricians, engineers and technicians in a technology that will support the roll-out of renewable across the country.

Gabriella said: “The course at Telford was great. We spent a day and a half, learning about the technology and practicing on equipment from different manufacturers.

“On the second afternoon, we were assessed, so in just two days I was able to come away with a better understanding of how batteries work, the relevant codes of practice, and a certified qualification that I can use to develop the business.

“Graham Kenyon, our tutor, was involved in writing the course and so he’s extremely knowledgeable. He had a great way of getting the main points across and it was really beneficial to be able to put our learning to the test on a range of different appliances.

“When it comes to the panels and batteries, some manufacturers produce the whole system, others don’t, so it’s useful to see how you can mix and match different bits of kit from different manufacturers and in different scenarios.”

The Level 3 battery storage training course covers the installation of dedicated Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS) in accordance with the relevant IET Code of Practice and is recognised the by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Gabriella says she is excited about the future: “Alderminster has 15 employees and my sister Antonia and I plan to carry the business forward when our dad retires.

“There’s been a significant uptake in air source heat pumps and Solar PV recently and we’re keen to train our staff to make the most of the demand for renewables.

“We usually have a couple of apprentices on board and they’re keen to learn, but so are our more experienced heating engineers; it’s the way to go to future-proof the business.

“Recent improvements in battery units make storage a much more viable option for everyone. If your house or business premises is producing more energy than you need, it makes sense to store if for later – it’s really a no-brainer!”

• GTEC’s battery storage course is delivered from Telford College and GTEC’s head office in Hawes, North Yorkshire. For more details, click here