Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to solve basic problems in micro-hydro systems.

It includes preparing to work on micro-hydro systems, solving problems in micro-hydro systems and completing work and documenting problem-solving activities.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Note: Those holding an ‘Unrestricted Electrician’s Licence’ or equivalent issued in an Australian state or territory meet the prerequisite requirements of this unit.

UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEEEL0019 Solve problems in direct current (d.c.) machines

UEEEL0021 Solve problems in electromagnetic devices

and

UEECD0043 Solve problems in direct current circuits

or

UEECD0044 Solve problems in multiple path circuits

UEECD0046 Solve problems in single path circuits

Renewable Energy

Electrotechnology

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare to work on micro-hydro systems 

1.1 

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and procedures for relevant work area are identified and applied in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 

Risk control measures are applied in accordance with workplace procedures prior to commencing work

1.3 

Nature of the apparatus problem is obtained from documentation or from relevant person/s to determine the scope of work

1.4 

Instructions for coordinating work with others is obtained from relevant person/s and applied

1.5 

Materials required for the work are identified and accessed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6 

Tools, equipment and testing devices required for work are obtained and checked for correct operation and safety

2 

Solve problems in micro-hydro systems 

2.1 

Workplace risk control measures and procedures are applied

2.2 

Need to test or measure live electrical work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3 

Circuits are isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4 

Micro-hydro problems are solved using measured and calculated values of apparatus operating parameters and in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5 

Problems are solved without damage to apparatus, circuits, the surrounding environment and services applying sustainable energy practices

3 

Complete work and document problem-solving activities 

3.1 

Workplace risk control measures and procedures are applied

3.2 

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 

Justification for solutions used to solve micro-hydro problems is documented

3.4 

Work completion is documented and relevant person/s notified in accordance with workplace procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Solving problems in micro-hydro systems must include at least the following:

• problems related to:

• installation
• fault finding
• maintenance or development work functions in relation to the following:

• determining the operating parameters of an existing apparatus/system
• identifying and locating electrical faults
• identifying and locating mechanical faults

This unit replaces and is equivalent to UEENEEK124A Solve basic problems in micro hydro systems.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• understanding the nature of the problem
• using established routines to solve apparatus/system problems
• providing viable solutions to apparatus/system problems
• documenting justification for the solutions used
• dealing with unplanned events
• applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures and practices, including the use of risk control measures
• applying sustainable energy principles and practices
• checking isolation of circuits/machines/systems
• coordinating work with relevant person/s
• determining live electrical testing/measurement requirements
• identifying and accessing materials, tools, equipment and testing devices.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• micro-hydro systems, including:

• system components and configuration encompassing:

• structural differences between the Pelton, turbo impulse, Francis and propeller type, Michell or Banki cross-flow turbines and Pumps as Turbines (PATs)
• system configuration for each turbine type identifying all major components
• for impulse and cross-flow turbine types, the comparison of bucket and blade shapes, nozzle shapes and types, types of hydraulic and electrical controllers/governors, speed increasers and over speed clutches and their basic operation and appropriate application
• operational parameters and efficiency of different turbines
• circumstances under which battery storage would be used
• respective merits and suitability of various turbine types for various micro-hydroelectric applications
• operation of hydraulic rams or similar water pumps:

• typical efficiencies of hydraulic ram systems and appropriate applications

• advantages and disadvantages of water energy storage systems with other energy storage systems, such as battery banks

• micro-hydro systems standards encompassing:

• relevant Australian Standards AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules), AS/NZS 4509 Stand-alone power systems and AS 4086.2 Secondary batteries for use with stand-alone power systems - Installation and maintenance associated with the installation, maintenance and operation of micro-hydro small-scale generation units

• micro-hydro systems drawings encompassing:

• schematic and wiring diagrams for the micro-hydro system showing the general circuit layout and protection between the micro-hydro system, batteries, inverter and loads

• relevant manufacturer specifications
• relevant safe work method statements (SWMS)/job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes
• relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements
• relevant workplace documentation
• relevant workplace policies and procedures.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry
• resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to solving basic problems in micro-hydro systems
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.