Course Title: Energy Efficiency and Demand Management

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Energy Efficiency and Demand Management

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MIET2522

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Hamid Khayyam

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4630

Course Coordinator Email: hamid.khayyam@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 251.02.034

Course Coordinator Availability: By Appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will provide you with a practical understanding of the energy efficiency measures which can be implemented by large and medium industrial and commercial energy users, and domestic users. It will cover energy technologies including lighting, air conditioning, compressed air, steam, hot water, chilled water, and several process specific technologies. 

You will learn how energy efficiency is measured, how energy efficiency projects are identified and how they are implemented. You will also gain an understanding of the social, financial, and technological constraints that limit the real-world application of energy efficiency technologies. 

This course will give you the opportunity to conduct a building energy audit in a simulated environment or through a real case study.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

 This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) for students who commenced their program prior to 2023:

  1. Knowledge and Skill Base 
    1.2. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. 
    1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 
    1.5. Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
  2. Engineering Application Ability 
    2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 
    2.2. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. 
  3. Professional and Personal Attributes 
    3.1. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. 
    3.3. Effective team membership and team leadership. 

 This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) for students who commenced their program in 2023:

  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO3: Apply engineering research principles, methods and contemporary technologies and practices to plan and execute projects taking into account ethical, environmental and global impacts.  
  • PLO4: Apply systematic problem solving, design methods and information and project management to propose and implement creative and sustainable solutions with intellectual independence and cultural sensitivity.   
  • PLO5: Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods, practising professional and ethical conduct.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to: 

  1. Apply knowledge of energy efficiency technologies in a range of contexts 
  2. Select energy efficiency solutions, taking into consideration the impact of relevant government programs and regulations 
  3. Perform a basic energy audit 
  4. Analyse energy systems from a supply and demand perspective, applying fundamental knowledge of engineering (and in particular, physics of energy) 
  5. Develop innovative energy efficiency solutions and demand management strategies by analysing economic, social, environmental and technological constrains that limit your proposal. 
  6. Present, in writing, energy efficiency and demand management projects 
  7. Provide constructive comments on energy efficiency and demand management projects and proposals 


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are: 

  • Lectures: will guide you through important principles and concepts and assist in appropriate problem-solving techniques. 
  • Energy audit site visit: will help you to further establish the links between the theory and practice by undertaking the site visit of a large commercial building and inspecting key building loads and assets; and;
  • Project work: will help you learn many useful techniques for engineering project activities, including how to interact with staff and fellow students in a smaller group setting, communication and leadership skills.  


Overview of Learning Resources

A list of key references and sources will be provided through the course page within RMIT’s Learning Management System (LMS). Links will be provided to reading material and data sources related to each weeks’ lecture material. PowerPoint presentations of each lecture will also be made available via the LMS page. 


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements. 

A list of assessment tasks for the course are below. Specific details about the assessments are provided in the course guide Part B and via the learning management system.  

Assessment tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Essential Skill Quizzes (Individual) 
Weighting of final grade: 10% 
Related course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 
Description: Various small quizzes spaced throughout the semester which cover the essential skills and capabilities of engineers working in the energy efficiency sector.  

Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester Test (Individual) 
Weighting of final grade: 30% 
Related course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, & 5 
Description: An assignment requiring students to explore some areas of the energy efficiency field.  

Assessment Task 3: Energy Audit (Group Exercise) 
Weighting of final grade: 50% 
Related course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 
Description: Students undertake a small energy audit under the supervision and mentorship of industry experts.  

Assessment Task 4: Energy Audit Presentation (Group) 
Weighting of final grade: 10% 
Related course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 
Description: Students present the findings of their audit to their 'client', peers and mentors.