Duration
24h Th, 36h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in environmental sciences and management, professional focus | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in environmental sciences and management, professional focus (Codiplômation Université du Luxembourg) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This optional course is intended for students with intermediate to advanced computer skills, including a good working knowledge of computers, peripheral devices, and operating systems, as well as proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite. In particular, a basic to intermediate command of Excel is essential to successfully complete the course.
In the fields of building design, construction, and performance assessment, a sound understanding of the theoretical principles of building physics is essential. These fundamentals are often complemented by skills in building modelling, thermal simulation, and the use of measurement equipment.
The aim of the Building Energy Systems Simulation and Experimentation course is therefore to train students in:
- computer-aided design (CAD) for building modelling;
- dynamic thermal simulation using TRNSYS (TRaNsient System Simulation Tool); and
- the practical use of measurement instruments as part of the EDULAB modules.
This optional course is primarily practice-oriented.
The practical sessions are dedicated to training in dynamic thermal simulation using TRNSYS 18 and to an introduction to computer-aided design using Google SketchUp 8 (2008). The theoretical fundamentals addressed in ENVT0867 are essential for understanding the calculation principles used in building simulation. ENVT0867 is therefore a prerequisite for this course.
The EDULAB modules combine theoretical and practical learning and cover the following three topics:
- EDULAB Module 1: Introduction and Thermal Comfort
- EDULAB Module 2: Solar Heat Gains, Glazing, and Solar-Shading Devices
- EDULAB Module 3: Overheating Management in Buildings
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- apply their theoretical knowledge of building physics, building thermal science, and energy systems to thermal and energy performance studies conducted using building simulation software;
- use a dynamic thermal simulation tool (TRNSYS) and create a three-dimensional CAD model of a simple building.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
We wish to emphasize that proficiency in the use of computers and standard office software, including the Microsoft Office suite, is ESSENTIAL for taking this course. NO remedial instruction will be provided regarding basic or intermediate computer and Microsoft Office skills.
Students enrolled in this course are responsible for reviewing the prerequisites required to understand and complete the various procedures, practical exercises, and assignments.
PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE
- Basic knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and energy systems.
- Completion of the first-year course ENVT0892 - Integrated Energy Management.
- Completion of the summer-semester course programme at the University of Luxembourg as part of the joint-degree pathway of the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings module.
- Concurrent attendance of the second-year course ENVT0867 within the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings module.
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including proficiency in using a computer and its peripheral devices, such as external storage devices, a mouse, and a file explorer.
- Intermediate knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
https://openclassrooms.com/fr/courses/7168336-maitrisez-les-fondamentaux-dexcel
Please note that students must be able to import data into Excel and produce reports based on these data, including charts and diagrams. They must therefore already be familiar with the following basic operations:
- entering and using formulas;
- saving files;
- creating and navigating between worksheets;
- copying or extending formulas using the fill handle;
- using the AutoSum function;
- filtering data;
- inserting charts;
- importing data from external sources; and
- formatting and converting data.
- Students who wish to use their own computers during the practical sessions must ensure that they have the necessary permissions and technical ability to install software, specifically TRNSYS. The BEMS research team may provide students with temporary software licences.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course alternates between theoretical EDULAB sessions and practical sessions involving sizing calculations, thermal comfort measurements, and the assessment of technical solutions. The practical sessions are primarily devoted to the use of the TRNSYS numerical simulation software. One session is also dedicated to computer-aided design using Google SketchUp 8 (2008).
The practical sessions take place in a computer room using the computers provided. Attendance at all practical sessions is mandatory.
The following sessions will be organised:
- "First Class Meeting": presentation of the course, its organisation, and assessment procedures.
- Introduction to TRNSYS: practical application of the climatology concepts covered in ENVT0867.
- Introduction to SketchUp and CAD: use of the TRNSYS 3D plug-in to create a three-dimensional building model and import it into the TRNSYS dynamic thermal simulation environment.
- Introduction to TRNBuild: introduction to the interface used to define and configure the characteristics of a numerical building model.
- Energy Demand Simulation and Overheating Analysis.
- Thermal Comfort.
- Solar-Shading Devices.
- Management of Overheating in buildings.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course is delivered entirely in person. The practical sessions are taught in French, while the three EDULAB modules are taught in English.
The EDULAB modules are delivered in collaboration with RPTU University and the University of Lorraine and involve both academic staff and students from these two institutions.
Additional information:
The EDULAB modules take place in a classroom, while the practical sessions are held in a computer room.
Students may use their own computers during the practical sessions, provided that they have installed all the required software beforehand. For further information, please contact Ms Pauline Abrahams at pabrahams@uliege.be.
The first practical session will be conducted exclusively using the computers provided in the computer room. No software installation will be carried out during scheduled class or practical-session hours.
Attendance at all practical sessions is mandatory. No make-up sessions will be organised. Supporting materials are available on eCampus.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The course materials, PowerPoint presentations used during the practical sessions, and simulation files examined in class are available on eCampus.
A number of remedial videos on the use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are also provided.
Students who are not familiar with Excel may consult the following free online course:
https://openclassrooms.com/fr/courses/7168336-maitrisez-les-fondamentaux-dexcel
Intermediate proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, is essential for this course, as stated in the course prerequisites. The teaching team will not provide instruction in the use of Excel. Students will be expected to have mastered the basic features of these applications, as well as certain more advanced functions.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Further information:
Examination During the Assessment Period
The following arrangements apply to all examination sessions:
- Individual assessment
- In-person examination held in a computer room
- Practical assessment involving the use of the software
Additional information
Practical examination
Students will be required to create a building model using the method introduced during the TRNSYS3D practical session. They will then use the TRNSYS simulation environment and its various interfaces to develop and run a simulation.
The simulation must enable students to calculate the building's heating, cooling, and total energy demand and to conduct a brief overheating assessment. Students will be required to produce, interpret, present, and explain the results obtained from their simulations.
Assessment criteria
- Appropriate application of the knowledge and skills acquired during the practical sessions.
- Proficiency in the use of TRNSYS, including the correct input of simulation data and the development of a simulation environment in which the components are connected appropriately.
- Proficiency in computer-aided design and appropriate use of the TRNSYS3D plug-in.
- Understanding of the specific principles involved in building thermal analysis and energy performance assessment within a dynamic simulation environment.
- Ability to generate coherent results and to analyse, interpret, present, and explain them.
Work placement(s)
No internship
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is organised during the first semester in two-, three-, or four-hour sessions, alternating between theoretical instruction and practical work.
Attendance at all practical sessions is mandatory. The initial sessions are designed to familiarise students with TRNSYS 18, while the subsequent sessions progressively introduce more advanced applications of the software.
Missing the introductory sessions will significantly affect a student's ability to follow the later practical work and, more importantly, to complete the simulation project assessed as part of the examination.
Minor changes to the course organization may be made as necessary.
Contacts
Module Coordinator: Deepak AMARIPADATH, Deepak.Amaripadath@uliege.be
Assistant: Pauline Abrahams, pabrahams@uliege.be
EDULAB trainers:
Elisabeth Davin, Elisabeth.Davin@uliege.be
Julien Merlo, Julien.Merlo@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.