Lancaster Environment Centre

Overview

This three module energy from waste course has been developed to provide attendees with a detailed introduction to the energy and fuels from waste sector. Drawing on the expertise of practicing professionals and academics, the course gives an overview of waste management practices in the UK, before providing a detailed examination of waste feedstock treatments, energy and fuel generation technologies and current and emerging policy drivers in this fast-changing sector. Projects logistics, finance, planning and decision making are dealt with by specific reference to several planned and operational energy and fuel from waste projects, ranging from a 2MW gasification plant through to a multi-billion pound PFI agreement. The course concludes by providing a thorough grounding in the environmental management of waste-derived energy generation projects, with topics ranging from site selection and surveying, through to the formulation and implementation of an environmental management system. Students who follow all three modules, and successfully undertake the course’s assessment exercises will be awarded a PG-Cert in Energy and Fuels from Waste.

Who should attend?

The course has been designed to have broad appeal. As such, we welcome competent people at all stages of their career. We believe the course will be particularly beneficial to individuals working in the following sectors: waste management; environmental management; renewable energy; fuel manufacturing; local authority planning; environmental permitting; technology assessment/development; capital investment; energy consulting; fuel supply logistics; utility provision.

How long will the course last?

Each module will be delivered over 3 consecutive days (Tues-Thurs) giving around 25 hours of contact time. In addition, students will be given up to 175 hours of directed learning, including an assessment exercise for those students wishing to be considered for the qualification of PG Cert. The first module will run in March 2011, the second in April 2011 and the third in May 2011.

Is the course accredited?

Yes. The course will be accredited by Lancaster University who will be the awarding body should you wish to study towards the full PG-Cert in Energy and Fuels From Waste. Each module is worth 20 x Level-7 credits, meaning the full PG-Cert is worth 60 credits. For reference, a Masters degree is usually equivalent to 180 Level 7 credits.

The course will also be preliminarily accredited by the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM). Full accreditation will be sought from both the CIWM and the Energy Institute (EI).

What does the course cover?

The course has 3 modules:

1. Feedstocks and Technologies for Energy and Fuel Generation

2. Management of Energy and Fuel Generation Projects

3. Environmental Management of Waste Derived Energy Generation

Each of these modules will be taught over three days with 175 additional hours of directed learning.

Who will lead the course?

The course has been assembled by Stopford Energy and Environment on behalf of Lancaster University. The course will be delivered by Lancaster University but will draw heavily on the expertise of organisations who are active in this sector. These include Stopford and Peak Associates, plus about 15 other private, public and academic organisations. There is a strong NW focus to the course.

How will the course be taught?

The course will be delivered as a series of lectures, seminars and site visits. Site visits make up around 40% of the course and will give students the opportunity to see facilities in operation, and to ask questions of site managers and operatives. Some of the time spent on site visits will be used for the delivery of lectures and seminars.

Lectures and seminars will be designed to be as interactive as possible, enabling lecturers to be interrupted and quizzed, and for discussions to take place. Lectures will contain tasks for students to undertake under supervision, and time will be set aside to enable group discussions to take place and experiences to be shared.

What organisations are contributing towards the course?

A unique feature of this course is that it is being delivered by individuals representing almost 20 leading organisations involved in the fuels and energy from waste sector. All presenters are experts in their individual fields and are drawn from a wide-range of organisations including financiers, developers, operators and regulators.

How much will the course cost?

The course will cost £1,000 per module. This cost includes coffee breaks, lunch and travel to site visits, plus all tuition and learning material fees. This fee does not attract VAT and is therefore zero rated.

Where will the course take place?

The course will be based at Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) which is housed within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Lancaster University. Around 30-40% of the course will be delivered off-site at the premises of our partner organisations who are hosting site visits. Site visits are normally within 1 hour of LEC and transport will be provided. Due to the time involved in travelling to some sites, it will be necessary to shorten lunch on some occasions.

Can I just attend for a particular day?

No, unfortunately not, although it is possible to register for individual modules in isolation of the others.

Will I need to do any work prior to or after the course?

In order to ensure that all registered students have a similar basic level of understanding, some recommended reading materials will be circulated in advance of the course. This will contribute to your recommended 200 learning hours per module. Following the course, an assessment exercise will be set which will be compulsory for those students wishing to be considered for the award of a PG-Cert in Energy and Fuels from Waste. The standard of work required by the this exercise will ensure that students maximise their learning from the course, and will bring learning hours up to the required 200 hours per module.

When do I need to register by?

Registration will close one month before the month in which a module is delivered. For example, Module 1 is scheduled to be delivered in March 2011 - consequently, registration will close on January 31st 2011. For students who wish to register for all three modules, registration for all three must occur one month before the month in which Module 1 is delivered.

How do I register?

An on-line registration form will be available soon. In the meantime please register your interest by emailing effw-info@lancaster.ac.uk with your name, organisation and contact details. You will be contacted once the registration form has been finalised.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancellations can only be received up to 8 weeks in advance of the course. Cancellations after this date will not result in a refund.

Who do I contact for further information?

If you need any further information, then please contact the course Director by email: effw-info@lancaster.ac.uk.