Summary of Projects Undertaken

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

March 2009 - ongoing

Funded:

Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Client:

Clean Energy Council (CEC)

Project Desciption:

This project will form a workplace training strategy for several renewable energy technologies (such as solar PV, wind, and bioenergy) based on projections of the size of each industry in 2020 and their unique training requirements.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

October 2008-ongoing

Client:

BP Solar

Project Description

GSES is acting as the administrator for the BP CIP in Australia. GSES also played a key role in the first BP CIP conference in April 2009, through conducting training and facilitating group discussion sessions.

Country:

Vanuatu

Project Dates:

March 2009- ongoing

Funded:

AusAID

Client:

AusAID

Project Description:

This project is a scoping study about the potential for pico PV products to be effective in Vanuatu, and how AusAID assistance could be implemented.

Country:

Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea

Project Dates:

June 2008-ongoing

Funded:

GEF

Client:

World Bank

Project Description:

This project includes:

• Development of technical specifications for solar home systems
• Development of training plan for countries
• Development of end user training material
• Conducting training courses

Country:

Malaysia

Project Dates:

February-March 2008

Funded:

UNDP

Client:

Malaysian Energy Centre

Project Description:

Conducted a solar technician training cours in Kuala Lumpur.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

September 2007 - ongoing

Client:

Clean Energy for Eternity Group

Project Description:

This project is developing a 1MW solar power community ownd system to be installed in the Bega Valley in Southern NSW. Mr Garrett is acting as technical advisor to the committee.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

December 2007- ongoing

Funded:

Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Client:

IT Power (subcontracted)

Projet Description:

Review of design of Cape Barren Island Hybrid system. This system was designed to meet a daily energy load of 350kWh/day and include 2x20kW wind turbines, a solar array with a 3kW peak capacity, 60kVA inverter, battery storage of 1200Ah and a nominal voltage of 240VDC.

Country:

Lao PDR (desktop review in Australia)

Project Dates:

February 2008 - ongoing

Funded:

AusAID

Client:

AusAID

Project Description:

AusAID is considering supporting the above project currently funded by the World Bank. GSES was asked to undertake a peer review of the document prepared by a consultant for AusAID.

Country:

Philippines

Project Dates:

March 2008-ongoing

Funded:

World Bank

Client:

Department of Energy - Philippines

Project Description:

This training forms part of the Philippines Rural Power Project. The contract requires that three training courses be conducted by the end of 2008.

Country:

Australia & the Ten ASEAN Countries

Project Dates:

January 2007 onwards

Funded By:

AusAID through AADCP-RPS

Client:

ACIL (Program manager for AusAID)

Project Description:

As a follow on to the establishment of the quality framework in for RE training in the ASEAN region, GSES will now be establishing an ISP licensee for the region.
This will involve:

• Undertaking feasibility study on potential Licensees
• Developing a business plan for the operation
• Building capacity within the selected organisation to undertake all the required activities of the ISP Licensee.

Country:

India & China

Project Dates:

February 2007 onwards

Funded By:

Asia Pacific Partnership Fund (Australian Budget)

Client:

Department of Environment and Hertitage Australia - Australian Greenhouse Office

Project Description:

This project has two streams:

China Stream:

Establishing an ISP office in Beijing- this office will then work with Ministry of Labor to either adopt the ISP framework or establish an new framework for accrediting RE training in China.

India Stream:

Worked with partners IT Power India and IT Power Australia to develop the Strategy for Quality RE Training in India for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Country:

Ghana

Project Dates:

December 2006 onwards

Funded By:

DENG Limited (Ghana) and DEG (Germany)

Client:

DENG Ltd (Ghana)

Project Description:

GSES is subcontracted by Deng Solar in Ghana to develop and then conduct 3 solar water pumping training courses in Ghana to the Water Departments at the Deng solar training centre.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

November 2006 onwards 

Funded By:

Department of Environment and Heritage Australia-Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Department of Environment and Heritage Australia-Australian Greenhouse Office

Project Description:

Remote Renewable Power Generation Program (RRPGP) has been a program to install PV hybrid systems into regional Australia to reduce the use of diesel fuel. IT Power Australia and GSES are undertaking the review of the project with the objective in developing recommendations for a new Hybrid Rebate Program that will start in July 2007.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

October 2006  onwards

Funded By:

Department of Environment and Heritage Australia-Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

Project Description:

The solar energy industry has been expanding rapidly over recent years- on behalf of he Australian government, BCSE is developing information booklets for potential purchase of systems (customer information booklets) and owners of systems (Customer Maintenance Booklet).  GSES is a part of team developing the booklets.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

June 2006 ongoing

Funded By:

Electricity Distributors (Utilities)

Client:

Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

Project Description:

Australia has developed a number of technical standards relating to grid connected PV systems and stand alone power systems. GSES through the BCSE conducts training of electrical inspectors on what are these systems and the relevant standards relating to the systems. The first course were actually conducted in early 2005 for South Australia but these were updated in June 2006 and are now being offered to all distributors in Australia.

Country:

Malaysia

Project Dates:

March 2006 onwards

Funded By:

UNDP

Client:

Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (Malaysian Energy Centre)

Project Description:

Malaysia is introducing a program to encourage the deployment of PV grid connected systems. GSES activities include:

• Development of a training manual
• Training local trainers and establishing a training school
• Development of a certificaiton scheme for the approved service providers who will undertake the training and then install the systems

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

October 2005  onwards

Funded By:

Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE)

Client:

Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE)

Project Description:

Australia has developed a number of technical standards relating to grid connected PV systems and stand alone power systems. GSES was contracted by RISE to develop workshops on the standards for the industry. These workshops are then conducted around Australia.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

June 2005 - December 2006

Funded By:

APEC

Client:

Institute for Sustainable Power (ISP) with contrct to APEC

Project Description:

GSES acted as project manager for ISP. The project involved the creation of an APEC RE standards secretariat and the development of harmonisation plans for three technical standards:

• Installation of Stand Alone Power Systems
• Installation of Grid Connect PV Systems
• Solar Water Heater Systems

Three technical committees were formed across the APEC region. 

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

August  2005 – December 2005

Funded By:

Department of Family and Community Services

Client:

Department of Family and Community Services

Project Description:

Bushlight has been a 4 year program to install PV hybrid systems into Aboriginal communities but also to introduce an infrastructure of maintenance and support by training empowering local people to undertake the work. IT Power Australia and GSES undertook the review of the project. This involved undertaking field surveys within the communities to assess whether communities felt that the project has been successful. It also included a technical review of the systems installed. The outcome was a recommendation to continue the project.

Country:

Australia & China

Project Dates:

June 2005 – January 2007

Funded By:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Project Description:

GSES worked with the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) to develop a strategy on how to build capacity in RE training within China. The project included workshops in China, consultation with stakeholders in China and the development of the final strategy. The aim of the strategy document was to facilitate CREIA applying for funding to undertake the identified activities required to build the capacity.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

June 2005 – October 2005

Funded By:

UNDP

Client:

UNDP

Project Description:

The UNDP had undertaken many projects relating to training development in the Pacific Islands. GSES was contracted to use this information to develop a project proposal for the development of RE training in the Pacific Islands.

Country:

Ghana

Project Dates:

April 2005 onwards

Funded By:

DENG Limited (Ghana) and DEG (Germany)

Client:

DENG Limited (Ghana)

Project Description:

GSES is subcontracted by Deng Solar in Ghana to help establish a RE training centre in Accra- Ghana. Mr Geoff Stapleton will be conducting 5 training programs for technicians but will also be training the trainers to build capacity within the region. DENG is being co-funded under a public private partnership project from DEG Germany for this particular concept.

As part of the project GSES will be working with DENG studying the delivery models that have been tried in Ghana for providing rural energy services (these have included solar under fee for service) and determine what models will succeed in Ghana and therefore ensure an expansion in the industry. This expansion is required to ensure the training centre is viable after the project is completed.

This project follows on from a one-off solar training course conducted in November 2003 and funded by Solar Development Group and Triodos Bank.

Country:

PNG

Project Dates:

March 2005 – June 2005

Funded By:

World Bank

Client:

World Bank

Project Description:

GSES undertook visits to PNG and consulted with the various stakeholders- industry, teachers, government officials and then developed a catalogue to help teachers and health workers in PNG with the selection of solar home lighting kits that would be suitable for their requirements.

Country:

Australia & the Ten ASEAN Countries

Project Dates:

August 2004 - October 2006

Funded By:

AusAID through AADCP-RPS

Client:

ACIL (Program Manager for AusAID)

Project Description:

Mr Stapleton is president of the board of the Institute for Sustainable Power, Inc (ISP). The ISP is a non-national, non-profit organization incorporated to coordinate, develop, and maintain international standards for the evaluation and qualification of trainers, training programs, and training evaluators/auditors for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and distributed generation workforce development, and standards for job competency content.

GSES has partnered with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (Jakarta) to develop the framework for ISP to operate in SE Asia. Mr Stapleton is managing the project.

Part of the project has been to study what RE projects are being undertaken in the region and therefore what is the training need.

To accredit training programs they must be audited against a set of standards. One of these standards is called a “task Analysis” or competency standard” that details all the skills and knowledge required by a technician to undertake an activity, for example design and installation of a solar home system.

Another part of the project involved developing the task analysis for the following six areas:

PV large CommercialGrid Connect Biomass1 or 2 Module Stand Alone SystemsVillage Central Hybrid Systems (inc Diesel)Rural Electrification Pico/Micro Hydro (village)Village Central Biomass

GSES will be working with ACE to prepare to take on the ISP Regional License for ASEAN. GSES and ACE will be hosting a series of information seminars throughout the 10 ASEAN countries.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

July 2004 - June 2005

Funded By:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Business Council for Sustainable Energy (Australia)

Project Description:

GSES managed this project on behalf of the BCSE. Since 2000 the Australian Government had supported through the PV Rebate Program the installation of over 5000 PV systems (grid and stand alone). The Government had also been supportive of the Australian solar technician accreditation program. This project involved the selection and then subsequent inspection of 190 systems throughout Australia. One system was selected from each of the active installers throughout Australia.

A check list was developed with respect to the Australian Standards AS4509- Stand Alone Power Systems and AS4086- Installation of Batteries in Stand Alone Systems and AS4777- Interconnection of Inverters Systems to the Grid.  Each system was then inspected in relation to these checklists and a rating was given. 

As well as the technical inspection, a survey was undertaken of each of the householders to determine whether the system had met their needs, how the service from the designer/installer was and if they would recommend stand alone power systems.

The final report made recommendations on what improvements were needed in installations in Australia.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

January 2004 – August 2004

Funded By:

Department of Industry Tourism and Resources (Australia)

Client:

Department of Industry Tourism and Resources (Australia)

Project Description:

Recommended the adoption of the Institute for Sustainable Power Inc as the accreditation program for the APEC region and provided a complete overview of how it operates. Development of key competencies across three high priority renewable energy training requirements and lists of high-priority renewable energy training courses & resources currently available within the APEC region were developed.  Developed the approach on how to obtain agreement from Training Institutes. Developed recommendations for implementing a renewable energy training system within APEC.

Country:

Ghana

Project Dates:

October 2003

Funded By:

DENG Ltd and Solar Development Group

Client:

DENG Ltd (Ghana) 

Project Description:

GSES was subcontracted by DENG Solar in Ghana to conduct a 5 day training course for technicians.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

December 2002 - August 2003

Funded By:

APEC

Client:

ISP (USA) has contract with APEC

Project Description:

GSES managed the project on behalf of the ISP. Researched all the available RE technical standards in the APEC region and also internationally in IEC and ISO and then developed a resource guide, listing all the available standards.

Undertook a needs assessment with respect to the RE applications and market development to determine what were the priorities for standards within the APEC region.

Then developed the draft action plan on “Renewable Energy Standards development and harmonization in the APEC region”

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

April 2002- October 2002

Funded By:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Sustainable Energy Industries Association

Project Description:

Australia released a standard on designing stand alone power systems. Another organization developed the presentations for a workshop. GSES then conducted the workshops throughout the states of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria also in Northern Territory.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

2002

Funded By:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Sustainable Energy Industries Association then Business Council for Sustainable Energy

Project Description:

GSES undertook a review of customer complaints within the RE industry in Australia. Following this review GSES undertook a feasibility study for the implementation of a quality assurance and customer service scheme for the RE industry.

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

 June 2002 – December 2002

Funded By:

APEC

Client:

APEC

Project Description:

Undertook a study of the current RE activity in each of the 21 APEC economies to assess the training requirements based on market development. Researched what RE training courses were available in each of the economies. The final report identified the training needs of the member economies, where training was available and how training capacity could be developed.

Country:

Sri Lanka

Project Dates:

March 2002

Funded By:

GTZ

Client:

GTZ

Project Description:

Undertook surveys in rural Sri Lanka of farmers who were currently using kerosene pumps for irrigation. GSES then undertook a cost comparison and social impact assessment in relation to the farmers changing from kerosene pumps to buying a PV solar pump on credit.

Country:

Sri Lanka

Project Dates:

June 2001 – July 2002

Funded By:

World Bank (GEF)

Client:

Sri Lanka Solar Industries Association

Project Description:

Conducted 3 day training course for technicians. Course covered the design and installation of PV systems in rural areas of Sri Lanka. This built on a previous project where GSES trained local trainers to conduct course for technicians on the installation of 1 or 2 module solar home systems

Country:

Australia

Project Dates:

1998-1999

Funded By:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Client:

Australian Greenhouse Office

Project Description:

In 2000 the Australian Government introduced the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) to encourage the installation of renewable energy systems to reduce the usage of diesel fuel in rural Australia. GSES was a part of a consortium that reviewed the current usage of diesel fuel for generating power in rural Australia.