Energy and the Environment (Level 3)

Code School Level Credits Semesters
ABEE3053 Architecture and Built Environment 3 20 Spring UK
Code
ABEE3053
School
Architecture and Built Environment
Level
3
Credits
20
Semesters
Spring UK

Summary

This module begins by discussing current worldwide energy resources and energy demand, international carbon reduction targets, and the need for sustainable development. Within this context, it describes the methods and technologies used to convert those energy sources to usable forms, such as thermal, mechanical, and electrical energies, and used by built environment systems. Their relative performance, economics, and environmental impacts, are considered and improvements are discussed. The ability of environmental systems to record and share performance data can be exploited to improving their performance so that they become smart systems. The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is identified as a method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings and students will complete training that would allow them to sit the examination (not included) to become a certified BREEAM Assessor.

Target Students

MEng Architectural Environment Engineering students; U7UAEENG (Year 3); U7UAEENGY (Year 3); U7UAEENGY1 (Year 4); (K241, K24A, K24D).

Classes

Assessment

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

To identify the need for sustainable development and to show how the energy and environmental sustainability of buildings can be determined and improved. Highlight the importance of the internet of things and the development of smart systems. Use a standard assessment procedure to determine the lifetime sustainability of a building.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

•    International energy sources, demands, mechanisms of energy conversion and storage, and carbon emissions

•    Economic, social and environmental impacts of building energy and resource demands

•    Approaches to reducing energy demand and embodied carbon of the built environment

•    Exploitation of the internet of things to develop smart system that moderate their own performance to optimize building performance

Professional/practical skills

Use of BREEAM as a method of assessing the sustainability of a building       

This module supports the following Engineering Council learning outcomes - supporting students to:

M4 Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems

M5 Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards

M6 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems

M7 Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts

M13 Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations

M14 Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems

M15 Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 07/01/2025.