The SEAM Centre is a new training, information and research facility for Sustainable Energy And Micro-renewables based at Inverness College UHI. The Centre provides short course training for qualified plumbers and electricians to give them the skills required to install small-scale renewable energy systems (such as biomass, heat pumps, solar PV, solar hot water and wind turbines) as well as sustainable energy technology (such as under floor heating and rainwater harvesting). SEAM is also developing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for architects, planners and other relevant professions. This will be extended to the provision of education and information on many aspects of renewable energy and sustainable construction for the general public, apprentices and school groups.
The Centre aims to be an important knowledge hub for micro-renewables and sustainable energy technology within the Highlands and Islands and Scotland.
The SEAM Centre has joined with the Highland Birchwoods "Use Green Heat" project to develop a series of seminars on micro-renewable energy, which are held monthly at Inverness College. The slide presentations from these events are available to view here, or below.
The SEAM Centre has created a Solar PV Calculator which works as a helpful comparison tool and can be used to assist in understanding the economics of installing a Solar PV system.
This flowchart is designed to assist homeowners understand which renewable energy options might be suitable for their specific circumstances. It should help people understand some of the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies and the questions they may need to ask themselves and potential installers.
This toolkit gives an introduction to micro-renewables. There are two main sections: the first provides information on different micro-renewable energy technologies, supported by external links, and the second considers aspects such as community, economics, enterprise creation and funding mechanisms.
