The main aim of the course is to teach students the appropriate approach to the design of buildings with low energy demand with particular emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources, or the use of heat recovery installations. The course focuses on the topic of the heat production in buildings with low energy demand for building heating and domestic hot water preparation, cooling and the topic of heat recovery in ventilation systems. Sustainable design based on renewable energy sources is an important aspect raised during the course.

During the course students will get familiarized with the engineering simulation tools for the renewable energy systems and energy consumption in buildings. Students will learn the range of analysis applications from the simple to the complex ones. The following tools are planned to be used: PVGIS, EED, RETScreen, TRYNSYS, EDSL TAS. The subject covers solutions for energy production in buildings based on solar thermal collectors, PV panels, air-to-water heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. Students will participate mostly in active forms – laboratories, covering the data collection and computer analysis. All practical tasks will be preceded by short lectures. As part of the classes, students will have the opportunity to see all installations live during an organized trip.

During laboratories, students will deal with some aspects of the design of buildings with low energy demand in different parts of Europe and learn how their decisions influence the energy demand. They will use ESDL TAS computer program for this purpose. Then, using other simulation tools, they will select the appropriate heating or cooling installations based on renewable energy sources.

Students will be evaluated based on the reports from laboratories and final presentation.

38 hrs