MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology with Extended Research

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Zero Carbon Built Infrastructure

Course unit fact file
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

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