SmartLIFE has developed an innovative range of training courses with a focus on sustainable construction and low carbon technology. With a wide range of industry partners our courses are written and delivered by top industry experts to ensure that they reflect good practice and up-to-date methods and technologies.
SmartLIFE has two practical training areas. Within the unique SmartLIFE Construction centre practical training area, we are able to offer a mixture of industry-led lectures and practical exercises, including the construction of full-scale IMC houses. Within our new centre SmartLIFE Low Carbon we are able to offer a range of courses in relation to renewable energy and a practical area where you can learn about the installation and running of technologies such as solar thermal, ground and air source heat pumps, photovoltaics and rainwater harvesting.
We also offer a bespoke service which would involve us designing and delivering a tailored course to meet your more individual requirements. Following a short but effective pre-course consultation, we will put together a course programme that reflects your specified organisational priorities.
The two UK Cambridge-based centres are themselves showcases for environmental consideration. Features in the SmartLIFE Construction centre include a ground source heat pump, 6kW wind turbine and solar thermal hot water heating system. Working at minimum capacity these features generate 38% of the new building’s energy requirements. SmartLIFE Low Carbon has a CHP unit, photovoltaics, solar thermal hot water heating. Both centres have rain water harvesting.
Both Centres also have state-of-the-art video and conferencing facilities and are a hub for demonstrating sustainability to visitors.
The experience gained from the SmartLIFE model approach is now being replicated across local authorities via greater communication and training courses tailored to fit local customer circumstances. A package of short sustainability seminars is also being developed and delivered to local councillors, local government officers and industry.
SmartLIFE received the Environmental Impact Award at the East of England Development Agency Celebration Awards and the Starfish Award from the European INTERREG North Sea Programme in 2006. It was also short-listed in the Partnership Award for Sustainable Communities 2007 sponsored by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). SmartLIFE was also short-listed for the European Union’s DG Regio Stars Awards.
