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Unit outline_

DESC9197: Energy Management and Code Compliance

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Objectives of this unit are to give students an understanding of energy consumption issues in buildings against the backdrop of escalating energy and carbon emission reduction targets for the built environment. Objectives of this unit are to give students an understanding of energy consumption issues in buildings against the backdrop of escalating energy and carbon emission reduction targets for the built environment. In order to meet these targets, new design and operational management techniques are needed, including energy auditing, retrofitting and energy efficiency optimisation techniques. This unit is primarily concerned with energy management in buildings and Code compliance in Australia. The unit will expose students to the processes and considerations involved in undertaking an energy audit in buildings. Active energy systems and their fundamentals may be reviewed. Finally, methods of assessing energy performance will be covered, with emphasis on energy simulation. Understanding and application of Australian standards and rating schemes will also be explored.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

DESC9015

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jungsoo Kim, jungsoo.kim@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 2
Case study
60% STUVAC
Due date: 20 Nov 2021 at 23:59
max. 25 pages (A4)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 1
Report
40% Week 08
Due date: 09 Oct 2021 at 23:59
max. 5 pages (A4)
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1: A written report on various topics discussed in class, incl. building energy performance, simulation, regulation and standard. 
  • Assignment 2: Application of the JV3 alternate verification method. You are the ESD Consultant on this project and have been engaged to provide a NCC Section-J compliance solution using DesignBuilder simulation and a report for the NCC Certifier.
Detailed information for each assessment will be given in class

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 04 Key concepts of building simulation; Residential energy codes and rating systems Online class (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Energy rating systems and energy auditing Online class (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Energy code compliance; Energy modelling Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Building simulation as NCC alternative solution Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Building simulation as NCC alternative solution Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings and various support materials will be posted to the unit’s Canvas site across the semester.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand energy consumption issues in buildings against the backdrop of escalating energy and carbon emission reduction targets for the built environment
  • LO2. understand the principles of energy auditing, retrofitting, and energy efficiency optimisation techniques in buildings
  • LO3. understand energy efficiency standards and rating schemes in the Australian context
  • LO4. apply principles of energy management in buildings and code compliance requirements in Australia
  • LO5. perform basic energy performance assessments in buildings
  • LO6. demonstrate improved ability of critical thinking and of critical analysis of evidence
  • LO7. demonstrate improved ability to critically and synthetically analyse the issues, and to efficaciously communicate the technical information.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Lecture materials and assignment requirements have been revised since this unit was last offered.

Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.