MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology / Course details
Year of entry: 2024
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Course unit details:
Zero Carbon Built Infrastructure
| Unit code | EEEN60422 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The energy demand of buildings is significant and yet demand reduction is not often considered when the use of renewable energy sources is being considered. This unit deals with the key issues associated with demand reduction strategies within buildings, encompassing not only technical but also financial and human factors. It also considers and evaluates the options for the use of renewable power
Aims
The unit aims to:
- Teach students about the importance of energy demand within buildings and our built infrastructure and the importance of taking measures to reduce that demand in order to achieve net zero targets;
- Enable students to calculate likely levels of demand and to identify techno-enviro-economic (TWW) robust strategies for demand reduction in our built infrastructure using a systems analysis approach (TEESA).
- Enable students to identify appropriate strategies for the provision of renewable and sustainable energy for buildings and our built infrastructure.
Learning outcomes
ILO1 (Taught and Assessed)
Appraise the techno-enviro-economic options by which energy demand within buildings may be reduced and how renewable and sustainable energy sources might be applied to buildings and our built infrastructure.
ILO2 (Taught and Assessed)
Understand the legislation and regulatory framework related to energy efficiency and performance in buildings and our built nationally and internationally.
ILO3 (Taught and Assessed)
Identify how technology and human factors influence the choice of both demand reduction and renewable energy strategies in buildings and our built infrastructure.
ILO4 (Taught and Assessed)
Devise appropriate demand efficiency, reduction and renewable and sustainable strategies in buildings and our built infrastructure.
ILO5 (Taught and Assessed)
Apply a range of energy consumption prediction methods to establish techno-enviro-economic lifecycle performance in buildings and our built infrastructure.
ILO6 (Taught and Assessed)
Develop soft and technical skills to be able to undertake a techno-enviro-economic systems analysis (TEESA) of a building and our built infrastructure to inform the public, government and industry of decarbonisation pathways to achieve net zero.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures/ Guest Talks
Tutorials/ Group work
Practical work/ laboratory/ field trip
Private study/ Group work
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 50% |
| Report | 50% |
Feedback methods
Written Exam - department feedback given after the Exam Board
Coursework report with pitch - written and online comments (via Blackboard)
Recommended reading
- Environmental Science in Building by Randall McMillan,
- Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings by Stephen Emmitt,
- Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings by Stephen Emmitt,
- Building Services Handbook by Fred Hall,
- Heating Services in Buildings: Design, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance by David E. Watkins,
- Building Surveyors Pocket Book by Melanie Smith,
- Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction by Sam Kubba,
- Handbook on Green Infrastructure - Planning, Design and Implementation by Danielle Sinnett, Nick Smith and Sarah Burgess,
- Renewable Energy Engineering by Nicholas Jenkins and Janaka Ekanayake.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 5 |
| Tutorials | 10 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 105 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Aoife Foley | Unit coordinator |