The training is part of NRC’s Renewable Energy project, which is implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in Jordan that is working to install PV systems in selected schools in northern Jordan. Trainees came from Amman in addition to Irbid, Jerash, Bani Obeid, and Al Taibeh directorates.
Sustainable solution
By providing the Ministry of Education (MoE) engineers with sessions on the operation and routine maintenance of PV systems, NRC aims to ensure the replicability of the project in the future, where MoE staff are able to design and operate the systems without further external support.
“This training allows engineers to learn about renewable energy and empower them to use this technology for future energy saving projects. Our project provides a sustainable solution to the energy challenges in Jordan and increases knowledge and capacity at the local level”, said Zakariya Amayreh, NRC’s Shelter coordinator.
The sessions included an introduction to electricity and electronic systems, PV technology and its operation and maintenance, trouble-shooting as well as productivity and cost analysis. Theoretical lectures were complemented by technical exercises and practice sessions arranged at the Jordan University of Science and Technology.
Solving energy problem
Dr. Osama Saadeh, Director of the Energy Centre at JUST, instructed the group of engineers at the university. “Photovoltaic technology is essential in solving the energy problem in Jordan. Pilot projects in schools, hospitals, community buildings and individual homes will make a big difference, and that is why this NRC project is important.”
“The NRC partnership with JUST is important for us, as an international organisation, as we believe that combining international and national experience, humanitarian and development approach with academia, is essential for the best possible outcome of our interventions,” said Elias Jourdi, NRC’s Project Manager.
Clean technology
Within the Renewable Energy Project, NRC has so far installed PV systems in 13 schools in Irbid, Jerash, Bani-Obeid and Al Taybeh, with more than 29,000 students enrolled at the school, and 41per cent of them Syrian. NRC plans to install the systems in seven more schools before the end of 2016. By using this clean, zero carbon technology, the schools can minimise or even eliminate their electricity bills while the savings can be used to fund further renewable energy schemes.
NRC is also working with the MEMR and MoE to raise awareness on energy efficiency and water conservation in schools with the international and national civil society to support environment sustainability.
