DESC9197: Semester 2, 2023

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Units DESC9197 Semester 2 2023 [Block mode]

Unit outline_

DESC9197: Energy Management and Code Compliance

Semester 2, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

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. Various methods of assessing energy performance will be explored, with emphasis on energy simulation. Students will be given an opportunity to understand Australian standards and building energy rating schemes, and how to apply them to the design and operation of buildings.

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
Lecturer(s)	Jungsoo Kim, jungsoo.kim@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	PC Thomas, p.c.thomas@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 1 Report	40%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2023 at 23:59	max. 5 pages (A4)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Case study	60%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59	max. 25 pages (A4)
Outcomes assessed:

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 2021 (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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Work submitted after the deadline will incur a penalty of 5% of the total marks earned for the assessment per calendar day. Work submitted 20 calendar days or more after the deadline will not be assessed and will receive a mark of zero.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	Key concepts of building simulation; Residential energy codes and rating systems	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 05	Energy rating systems and energy management	Lecture (7 hr)
Week 06	Energy code compliance; Energy modelling	Lecture and tutorial (7 hr)
Week 08	Building simulation as NCC alternative solution Part 1	Lecture and tutorial (7 hr)
Week 11	Building simulation as NCC alternative solution Part 2	Lecture and tutorial (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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