tudents choosing to complete all courses within the Energy Services & Renewable Technician (ESRE) program can follow the recommended sequence below or create a customized schedule based on their needs. The NECE recommends that students consult with their academic advisor prior to registration for academic advice based on individual educational goals.

Please review the descriptions below for information on each course.

Recommended Sequence – 1st Semester
ESRE 210 Electrical & Safe Work Practices
ESRE 216 Mechanical Drive Systems
ESRE 213 Hydraulic Fundamentals
ESRE 218 Solar & Distributed Grid Systems

Recommended Sequence – 2nd Semester
ENRT 224 Automation & Control
ENRT 221 Applied Electronics
ESRE 226 Commercial Wind Systems
ESRE 228 Energy Technician Applications & Troubleshooting

Recommended Sequence – 3rd Semester
ENRT 118 Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow and Thermodynamics
ENRT 105 Safety, Health & Environment
ENRT 107 Mechanical Fundamentals
ENRT 110 Plant Equipment & Systems

Recommended Sequence – 4th Semester
ENRT 112 Print Reading
ENRT 240 Industrial SCADA
PWRP 224 Power Generation Components & Protection
ENRT 116 Instrumentation & Control

In addition to the courses listed above, 15 general education credits are required.

Please visit the Education Plan link for additional information.

1st Semester Courses

ESRE 210 Electrical & Safe Work Practices – 3 credits
This course covers specific work practices in the areas of basic electrical safety, principles of electricity, basic process controls, elevated work and rigging. OSHA standards and safe permitting practices are components of this course.

ESRE 216 – Mechanical Drive Systems – 4 credits
Introducing the fundamentals of mechanical drives and the application of mechanical skills and knowledge to the industrial setting. Topics covered will include couplings, chain drives, pulley drives, motor leveling and alignment, bearings, gaskets and gear drives. Demonstration by the student in the areas of torqueing, measurements, gap adjustments and shaft alignments is included.

ESRE 213 – Hydraulic Fundamentals – 3 credits
This course covers principles and operation of hydraulic systems. Hydraulic system analysis and troubleshooting in the lab setting is part of this course.

ESRE 218- Solar & Distributed Grid Systems – 4 credits
This course includes an in-depth study of grid-direct solar arrays, small wind systems and other distributed grid systems. Curriculum also includes sizing and installation of systems.

2nd Semester Courses

ENRT 224 – Automation & Control – 3 credits
This course includes an in depth study of discrete motor control devices and the assembly and programming of PLC discrete input and output modules. The application of these devices in energy and industrial environments is included. Understanding of real world control systems and student constructed systems is part of this course. Some of the equipment covered is switches, relays, contactors, motor starters, control transformers, discrete input devices, electronic input devices, and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).

ENRT 221 – Applied Electronics- 3 credits
This course focuses on the electronic components and devices that are critical in the operation of energy, manufacturing and other industrial facilities. Students will understand the function of a variety of devices and how to troubleshoot them.

ESRE 226 – Commercial Wind Systems- 3 credits
Commercial wind turbine systems are the focus of this course. The interoperation of the subsystems in a commercial wind turbine, the tracking and data acquisition using SCADA systems and the distribution of the generated power are covered in this course. The technician’s role in the successful operation of the facility is another component of this course.

ESRE 228 – Energy Technician Applications & Troubleshooting – 5 credits
This course, primarily a hands-on course, takes the core technician skills learned and integrates them into practice. Lab systems included are hydraulic, mechanical, electric motors/motor control, PLCs, and other control systems. This course will develop and test the students troubleshooting skills and prepare them to work safely and effectively in an industrial or renewable power generation facility.

3rd Semester Courses

ENRT 118 – Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow & Thermodynamics – 3 credits
Students enrolled in this course will study heat transfer, fluid flow and the conservation of energy. Specific equipment design considerations based on thermodynamic principles will be covered.

ENRT 105 – Safety, Health & Environment – 3 credits
This course covers the personal protective equipment and proper safe work practices and procedures commonly used in the energy industry. Students will also gain a working knowledge of standard safety, health and environmental practices and regulations set by various government entities.

ENRT 107 – Mechanical Fundamentals – 3 credits
This course provides an introduction to mechanical concepts commonly found in a plant setting. Topics covered include hand tools, piping, valves, steam traps and strainers. In addition, pumps, compressors, drivers, fans and rotating equipment are covered. Bearings, seals and lubrication are a focus in this course, as well as heat exchanger designs. Plant terminology and operator expectations are covered also.

ENRT 110 – Plant Equipment & Systems – 4 credits
This course provides an introduction to equipment used in the power, process and renewable industries. Valves, piping, pumps, compressors, generators, turbines, motors, lubrication systems, heat exchangers, furnaces, boilers, cooling towers, separators, reactors, and distillation columns are covered. The utilization of this equipment within systems will be covered.

4th Semester Courses

ENRT 112 – Print Reading- 3 credits
This course covers schematics, prints, and piping and instrument diagrams used in the energy industry. Students will learn how to read and interpret block and single-line diagrams, which will prepare them for the logic and electrical schematics included in this course.

ENRT 240 – Industrial SCADA – 3 credits
An introduction to the design, assembly, programming and operation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, including Human Interface (HMI) systems. Wiring and networking of programmable controllers to SCADA software and an HMI device is one part of this course. SCADA system application, operation and troubleshooting in manufacturing and energy sectors is included.

PWRP 224 – Power Generation, Components & Protection – 3 credits
Students enrolled in this course will study the design and construction of large industrial generators used in the production of electricity. Students will study the various exciter designs and operation and the various auxiliary equipment that supports generator operation. Students enrolled in this course will study the electrical systems from the main generator through the switchyard.

ENRT 116 – Instrumentation & Control – 4 credits
This course provides a comprehensive study of instrumentation components, control theory, control systems and typical controllers associated with the operation of energy facilities.

AAS Degree Requirements

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Energy Services and Renewable Technician requires 70 credit hours.

• Technical program: 54 credit hours
• General education: 16 credit hours

Certificate Requirements

The Certificate in Energy Services and Renewable Technician requires 58 credit hours

• Technical program credits: 54 credit hours
• General education credits: 4 credit hours

The Energy Services & Renewable Technician program is available on-campus in a convenient schedule that provides the best learning environment for students.

Items to consider when choosing courses:

• Courses are offered at set times each semester
  • Spring semester = January – May (2nd & 4th semesters)
  • Fall semester = August – December (1st & 3rd semesters)
• Courses are offered in blocks of 3-5 weeks per class
• Students spend approximately 15-20 hours a week working on a course

The NECE encourages all students to visit with their academic advisor for assistance in choosing courses.

Summer 2021 Online Course Schedule