In 2009, the United States embarked on an era focused on alternate sources of energy. Biofuels are a key part of this quest. The term biofuel implies production of energy from naturally available biological entities. This course covers production of petroleum-like fuel from sources such as corn and other vegetation. Over the past few decades it has been proven without doubt that biofuels form a viable source of energy. At the present time hundreds of facilities world-wide are producing biofuels. Over the next few decades many advances will be made in this field and hundreds of new facilities will be built for production of this type of fuel. This opens a new field for potential workers. For decades to come, biofuels will be produced and consumed in the United States - creating an ongoing demand for biofuel production workers.

As a biofuel production operator, your job will be to ensure the quality and purity of the biofuel your plant produces. This involves inspecting and repairing equipment, operating computer systems, and handling lab equipment. For people who want to enter this field it is difficult to find suitable training to become prospective entry level workers. This course provides fundamental technical background to such workers. To take this course, no prior science or math education is necessary - the course includes all of the necessary basic science and technology elements. Biofuel production operators earn above-average wages and enjoy relatively much better job security and potential to advance into supervisory or management positions.

This is a user-friendly course, designed for people who have no prior exposure to technical aspects of hydrocarbons, energy or industrial processes. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers. The Bio Fuel Production Operations Program will give you the training you need to begin an exciting career in biofuel production. As a biofuel production operator, your job will be to ensure the quality and purity of the biofuel your plant produces. This involves inspecting and repairing equipment, operating computer systems, and handling lab equipment. This online course will ensure you have the skills you need to handle these tasks. At the present time hundreds of facilities world-wide are producing biofuels. Over the next few decades many advances will be made in this field and hundreds of new facilities will be built for production of this type of fuel. This opens a new field for potential workers. For decades to come, biofuels will be produced and consumed in the United States - creating an ongoing demand for biofuel production workers.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

This Building Performance program was developed and written in partnership with nationally recognized building science experts. The two online courses are full of scientific facts, interactive exercises, pictures, videos, graphics, and text. See the individual course descriptions for a more detailed description. Also, they are recognized by North American Technician Excellence and Building Performance Institute for continuing education hours. Youll also receive a study guide and a one year subscription to Home Energy Magazine. This program is a great way to compliment and increase your companys GREEN services for your customers and to open new doors of opportunity.

Principles of Green Buildings - This is the first online course of its kind. It was developed and written in partnership with nationally recognized building science experts from Advanced Energy of North Carolina and is full of scientific facts, interactive exercises, pictures, videos, graphics, and text. Everything an individual in the building, remodeling, or trade industry needs to know to make buildings perform more efficiently. The PBS course has also been designed to help prepare individuals on the path to various NATE, NARI, BPI, RESNET, and other industry credentials related to green building performance. Instruction aligns with ANSI/ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. This course is both BPI and NATE recognized for 28 hours of continuing education (CEHs) applicable to NATE and BPI recertification.

The Principles of Building Science course contains nine learning modules covering: House as a System; Air Flow Basics; Heat Flow, Insulation & Windows; Framing & Air Sealing; Moisture Management; Conditioning Strategies; Ventilation; Combustion Safety; Indoor Air Quality Basics.

At the end of each module is a comprehensive exam of the material covered. In addition every person that completes the Principles of Building Science course successfully will receive a one year subscription (six issues) to Home Energy Magazine in both an online and print version (an $85.00 retail value). Students also receive a study guide that is provided for the course. This first course in the program allows 90 days enrollment to complete. Must obtain a 75% or higher to obtain CEH recognition.

Performing the Comprehensive Building Assessments - This course expands the theories and concepts taught in the Principles of Green Buildings (PGB) course. The PCBA course is designed with the intent to fill a key void in green collar education that is not being offered to those entering or looking to expand their expertise in the industry. PCBA is a course that will be delivered in a task oriented format applying practical real world situations throughout each module of the program. The course is intended for those individuals who are engaged in conducting building assessments, energy audits, performance testing, energy ratings, green ratings, rating verifications, quality assurance, quality installations, building inspections, home inspections, home tune ups or any other related building improvement, evaluation or repair services where changes are anticipated to the building as a system.

Modules in this series will cover: Observation Techniques and Data Collection; Exterior & Interior Assessment and Building System Analysis; Blower Door and Zonal Pressure Diagnostics, Ventilation Rates; Combustion Safety Testing and Analysis; Duct Diagnostics; Work Scope Development and Customer Relations.

Gain the skills and knowledge you'll need to "green" an organization's supply chain. Global sourcing, material management, procurement/buying, transportation and logistics, and new product development require specialized knowledge to enable a company to achieve its environmental sustainability goals. The supply chain is at the heart of operations for most businesses. Prepare yourself for a challenging and rewarding career in the green supply chain management field or develop an edge for yourself if you are already a supply chain practitioner today.

This professional certification program will help you learn the essentials of green product standards and labeling, how to develop sustainability supplier programs, understand sustainable business practices, apply "lean" & "green" manufacturing strategies, and how to integrate green supply chain practices across the extended supply chain.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Are you a facility manager, building engineer or health & safety officer that wants to improve the indoor air quality of your building? If so, the Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) Course is just for you.

"The air in our building is making me sick." - Are you properly prepared to handle these air quality complaints? Common mistakes can turn a small grievance into a wildfire of speculation and accusation. In our CIAQM Course, you'll learn how to respectfully, thoroughly and expeditiously handle IAQ complaints. You will also learn how to diagnose, resolve and prevent IAQ problems. We'll help you establish a comprehensive IAQ plan specific to your buildings.

"Why should I trust you?" - Your building occupants may be asking this question when you address IAQ problems. A great answer would be, "Because I'm a CIAQM!" Not only does our course teach you practical skills to improve your building's indoor air, it also prepares you for the 3rd party accredited certification by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). Our training materials educate you on all the pertinent topics covered on the certification exam. We even include a 100-question practice examination to better prepare you.

Getting certified is completely optional. Exams are arranged through ACAC at computerized testing centers throughout the US. Certain experience requirements and fees apply to students getting certified (there are no experience requirements for the course).

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Would you like to become an indoor air quality (IAQ) or green building consultant? Would you like to better understand how to create a healthy home or building by preventing, diagnosing, and resolving indoor environmental problems? If so, the Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) Course is just for you.

"How's the air in here?" - Most everyone is concerned about the air quality in their workplace, home or school. Our CIE course will help you determine if these clients do, in fact, have a problem. Our course teaches you the practical steps you should always follow in an indoor environmental assessment. Our program covers how to take samples and how to resolve common IAQ problems. You'll learn about HVAC, building science and all the major contaminants including their health effects.

"What are your credentials?" - Your clients want the confidence that they are hiring a trustworthy and competent consultant. One of the best ways of demonstrating your competency is by obtaining a 3rd party accredited certification. Not only does our course teach you practical skills to assess indoor environments, it also prepares you for the CIE and CIEC certifications by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). Our training materials educate you on all the pertinent topics covered on the certification exams. We even include a 100-question practice examination to better prepare you.

Getting certified is completely optional. Exams are arranged through ACAC at computerized testing centers throughout the US. Certain experience requirements and fees apply to students getting certified (there are no experience requirements for the course).

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

First, we'll talk about how you can trim your energy costs without reducing your productivity by making your lighting, HVAC, and building control systems more efficient. After that, we'll explore ways to cut your water bill and look at waste reduction strategies that can save you money while helping you move toward a sustainable business model. We'll also delve into transportation and shipping, examining the benefits of alternative fuels, hybrids, and all-electric vehicles.

Next, you'll get a primer on renewable energy and learn how to integrate wind and solar power into your energy use plan. You'll also learn about buying green power, carbon offsets, and renewable energy credits. And finally, you'll get the information you need about LEED accreditation and how to measure and manage your carbon emissions in order to comply with any eventual carbon tax or cap-and-trade system.

Throughout the course, you'll examine real-world examples of energy-saving solutions and find out how to calculate the costs, benefits, and paybacks of these projects. You'll also learn how to communicate the environmental benefits of your actions to your customers and your business partners, transforming your business into a leader in the green economy.

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Brad Bergman. Brad has spent his entire career working with low-carbon technologies. He has experience generating both nuclear power and utility-scale solar-thermal power. He has also helped numerous businesses and local governments implement energy-saving sustainability strategies as a demand-side energy management specialist. His formal education includes both Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, and he holds an MBA with a specialization in Technology Management. Brad currently works as a renewable energy professional and teaches classes as an adjunct professor.

Natural gas has two things going for it. First, it provides clean energy. Second, it is plentiful in the United States. For decades to come, natural gas will be produced and consumed in the United States - creating ongoing demand for natural gas plant operators.

For people who want to enter this field it is difficult to find suitable training to become prospective entry level workers. This course provides fundamental technical background to such workers. To take this course no prior science or math education is necessary - the course includes all of the necessary basic science and technology elements.

Natural gas plant operators work in gas producing establishments, monitoring and controlling the systems and equipment that take gas from its natural state and convert it into a useable product. Your job is to ensure that the gas produced is free of impurities. The purified gas is then separated into products such as ethane, propane, butane and methane. You will also be responsible for the flow of this processed gas into the pipelines that carry it to the various industries and homes that use it for fuel. In addition, you make gas flow changes to the supply system to keep pace with customer demands.

Natural gas plant operators earn above average wages and enjoy good job security and potential to advance into supervisory or management positions.

This is a user-friendly course, designed for people who have no prior exposure to technical aspects of hydrocarbons, energy or industrial processes. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

The exciting new Performing Comprehensive Building Assessments (PCBA) program is designed to introduce students to the comprehensive building assessment process. This intermediate course is geared toward conducting visual building inspections, performing diagnostic testing, and determining residential building improvement opportunities in the field; then documenting a home's performance, prioritizing improvements, and preparing a work scope that will guide the homeowners decision making process for making the improvements.

Students will start out learning the systems, tools and techniques commonly encountered during visual observations including evaluation of envelope components, mechanical systems and base loads such as appliances and lighting. They will then step into diagnostic testing learning first how to work safely. Students will learn how to set up and use the blower door for building pressurization/depressurization testing; and how to utilize the data obtained in making decisions. Students will learn combustion safety testing (including worst case depressurization, draft and spillage testing), and how to test various appliances for CO including: furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other combustion appliances. Students will also learn basic duct diagnostic testing.

Finally, students will be taught how to use assessment information and diagnostic results to develop a work scope which can then be presented to a customer. This course will refer to the BPI Building Analyst as well as to various industry codes and standards. It helps prepare individuals for BPI Building Analyst Certification and NATE HVAC Efficiency Analyst Certification (Senior Level). Instruction aligns with ANSI/ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. Both BPI and NATE recognition of continuing education (30 CEHs) applicable to recertification is pending. This course allows 90 days enrollment to complete. Must obtain a 75% or higher to obtain CEH recognition.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

The 9 modules of Principles of Green Buildings introduce the building as a system concept and then steps you through an explanation of the major individual system components and concepts. The modules teach scientific fact coupled with common sense using pictures, videos, graphics, and text. For more in-depth questions or explanation of content you are provided with an SME (Subject Matter Expert) mentor.

The Principles of Green Buildings (PGB) course explains the science that an individual in the building, remodeling, or trade industry needs to know if they are working to make buildings perform more efficiently. The PGB course also helps prepare individuals for BPI, NATE, NARI, RESNET, and other industry credentials for green buildings. Successful completion of this course is recognized by both BPI and NATE for 28 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) applicable to several BPI and NATE certifications. To receive recognition for the 28 CEUs you must complete this course of study scoring 75% or higher on your overall grade. You are tested at the completion of each module within the course and will also be required to successfully complete a comprehensive final exam after completing module 9.

The expected student for this course is someone that is beginning their career in the Home Performance workforce or exploring that realm of work. Home Performance covers a broad range of possible trades and occupations, most notably the HVAC technician, Building Envelope workers such as air sealing, insulation, and vapor barrier workers, siding and window specialists, and a number of other workforce groups. The understanding gained of how the each subsystem interacts with and affects the others is the key to actually achieving Building Performance.

This course is open-enrollment and self-paced. Students will be given an initial 3 months to complete their program. If you need more time, a 3 month extension can be purchased. Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

After completing this premier certification program, you will establish yourself as a sustainable business professional ready to take responsibility for setting the direction and coordinating an enterprise's sustainability strategy across multiple functional areas such as sales, marketing, communications, new product development, global supply chain, operations, and corporate social responsibility.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Planned Workshops 2010:

Basic Skills -

Wind energy companies are growing exponentially to meet America's demand for clean, renewable, and domestic energy. This entry level Wind Energy Apprentice course prepares you for a career in the wind energy industry. Students will learn the basics of wind energy principles including wind technology, wind energy anatomy, wind farm design, wind business, and characteristics of energy sources. This course covers the fundamentals of hydraulics and basic theory and practice of electrical circuits, including calculations as applied to alternating and direct currents. Learn the skills you need to succeed in the lucrative wind industry by signing up today!

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: