Course video

Learn how to design and validate a net zero-energy building.

The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is an important step in the move towards a sustainable economy. How can buildings be made net-zero- energy, in different climates?

This course will teach you how to design a zero-energy climate concept for existing buildings by using a stepped approach. It will demonstrate how an integrated approach, which takes into account both passive measures (such as thermal insulation and sun shading) and active measures (such as heat pumps and photovoltaic panels), can deliver the best results.

Not only will you develop zero-energy designs, you will also learn how to validate your design with energy performance calculations. The DesignBuilder software tool will be used, together with an Excel tool developed for this course, which facilitate the calculation of the combined effect of all energy measures. The DesignBuilder license will be provided when you take this course, you can use the license for free for one full year.

This will help architects, architectural designers, building engineers and BIM practitioners to design realistic performative net-zero-energy buildings.

In the course, quantitative reviews of several case studies of zero-energy buildings in the Netherlands will be provided, which will demonstrate what trade-offs are made in each design in the combinations of available measures to suit local climate conditions. The lessons learnt are also applicable for other climates. You will learn which measures are most suitable for individual buildings under local climate conditions.

Each week the course team will offer webinars and live studios for feedback and questions. Each participant can also request individual consultation.

What You'll Learn

• to apply zero-energy design principles
• to make energy performance calculations of the proposed (re)design
• how to use DesignBuilder as a software tool for energy calculations
• to use DesignBuilder calculation results in the zero-energy (re)design
• to substantiate and rationalize design choices
• to detail specific solutions

Quotes from learners

“The course helped me understand some fundamental aspects behind the energetic engineering of buildings, extending my knowledge in a critical field that has to do with the performance of our constructions.” - Diogo Teixeira, Architect from Portugal

“I was looking to expand my knowledge of net zero design and to aid in my current line of work. This course increased my knowledge of net zero systems and their integrated design. It offered both- theoretical and hands-on (software application) classes which greatly aided in the overall learner process. The course structure was very engaging and easy to follow. So take the opportunity and get ready to learn!“ - Joseph Tanel, Energy Analyst from Canada

Award:

Andy van den Dobbelsteen, Eric van den Ham and Tess Blom (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment) are the winners of the 2020 edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Teaching and Learning, with their online course "Zero-Energy Design: an approach to make your building sustainable". Their MOOC is designed to help participants figure out which energy measures can be applied to make their buildings (more) sustainable and zero-energy consuming.

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Learners who previously completed MOOC Zero- Energy Design can save 2 hours of effort per week in this Professional Course.