As our renewables team continues to grow we’re working with a number of of business on wind, and other renewables projects providing CDM Coordiantor and safety support. We work closely with major UK providers and also clients from Europe and America entering the UK market for the first time; Renewables team (PV / Solar / Wind / Biomass).
A question which we recently assisted in answering regarded the electrical safety standards required and level of competence for these types of installations. It is also worth noting that the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) are also launching their own scheme for renewables including solar PV and wind energy – we’ll have an update on that soon as it will of course benefit from a grant approved status.
Information reproduced here has been taken from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website: www.microgenerationcertification.org, if you have any questions please contact us on 01453 800100
Standard of electrical qualification for renewables and micro generation
3.1 Capability
Certificated contractors shall have the capability and capacity to undertake the supply, design, installation, set to work, commissioning and handover of micro and small wind turbine systems.
Where contractors do not engage in the design or supply of micro and small wind turbine systems, but work solely as an installer for a client who has already commissioned a system design; then the contractor must be competent to review and verify that the design would meet the design requirements set out in this standard and this should be recorded.
5 COMPETENCE OF STAFF
All personnel employed by, or sub-contracted to, the contractor must be able to demonstrate that they are trained and competent in the disciplines and skills, appropriate to the activities required for their role, in accordance with this standard.
Complete records of training and competence skills of personnel must be maintained by the certificated contractor, in particular:
- Design staff, carrying out full conceptual design, must be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the technologies involved and the interaction of associated technologies.
- All personnel engaged in the actual installation are expected to have technical knowledge and installation skills, to install components and equipment within the designed system, in accordance with all appropriate codes of practice, manufacturer’s specifications and regulations.
- All personnel engaged in the final inspection, commissioning, maintenance or repair, must have a comprehensive technical knowledge of the products, interfacing services and structures to complete the specified processes.
Examples of the underpinning knowledge areas required to show competence are given in Appendix C.
APPENDIX C: Competence of Staff
Assessments of competence will cover the following underpinning knowledge areas:
- C. 1. Mechanical Engineering (understanding of static and dynamic stresses and loads involved with wind turbines)
- C. 2. Environmental impacts of wind turbines (e.g. noise, flicker)
- C. 3. Concrete structures and processes
- C. 4. Resource assessment and performance calculation (inc understanding of limitations of NOABL and impact of turbulence)
- C. 5. Non-conventional AC output (variable voltage, variable current, variable frequencies) of wind turbine
- C. 6. DC Electrical systems
- C. 7. Conventional AC Electrical Systems (BS 7671)
- C. 8. Grid connection requirements (G83 and/or G59)
- C. 9. Battery systems for off-grid applications (sizing, depth of discharge, ventilation, dump loads etc.)
MCS Standard 001 specifies a very general requirement on training as follows:
17. Training and competence
All staff employed in installation, set to work and/or commissioning activities must have received adequate training in each of the areas/operations in which they are involved.
The Company must have a training record for each employee which details training received, and any qualifications or certificates held by the individual. The record should be signed or verified by the employee.
The Company must have a record detailing the MCS related activities for which each individual is approved on the basis of their competence. The competencies required for installers are detailed in the relevant installation standards.
18. Health and Safety
The company must have health and safety policies and procedures, including risk assessment, to ensure all installations are conducted safely.
If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100
