Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/net-zero-building-fundamentals
In an era where climate change is a pressing concern, the need for sustainable architecture has never been more critical. The course ‘Net-Zero Building Fundamentals,’ offered by the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) and the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of designing buildings that are not only energy-efficient but also resilient to climate change.
### Course Overview
The course is designed for anyone interested in decarbonisation, high-performance buildings, and climate resilience. It covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding net-zero buildings, including energy performance, heat transfer, passive design, indoor air quality, natural ventilation, HVAC systems, water sufficiency, and embodied carbon.
### Key Modules
1. **Energy Performance of Your Building**: This module lays the foundation by explaining how buildings consume energy and the importance of energy performance metrics. It introduces renewable energy technologies and the significance of energy simulation studies in building design.
2. **Heat Transfer and Your Building Envelope**: Understanding heat transfer is crucial for effective building design. This module discusses how to identify and quantify heat gains and losses, emphasizing the impact of design decisions on energy efficiency.
3. **Passive Design and Shading**: This section highlights the importance of passive design strategies for achieving net-zero energy. It covers passive solar heating and cooling techniques, which are vital for reducing energy consumption.
4. **Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality**: The course delves into the parameters of thermal comfort and the necessity of good indoor air quality, providing insights into how these factors affect occupant well-being.
5. **Natural Ventilation**: This module explains how natural ventilation can enhance thermal comfort and indoor air quality, offering practical strategies for effective design.
6. **Designing Rightsized HVAC Systems**: Participants learn about HVAC load calculations and how to size systems accurately, which is essential for optimizing energy use and reducing costs.
7. **Water Sufficiency**: The course addresses the importance of water management in buildings, introducing concepts like net-zero-water and closed water cycles.
8. **Mechanical HVAC and Low Energy Cooling Systems**: This module explores various HVAC systems and energy conservation measures, providing a solid understanding of mechanical cooling technologies.
9. **Cost Estimation and Affordability**: Understanding the financial aspects of building projects is crucial. This module covers CAPEX, OPEX, and lifecycle cost estimation, helping participants grasp the economic feasibility of sustainable design.
10. **Resilient Design and Embodied Carbon**: The final modules focus on resilience in the built environment and the impact of construction materials on carbon emissions, equipping learners with strategies to reduce embodied carbon.
### Conclusion
The ‘Net-Zero Building Fundamentals’ course is an invaluable resource for architects, engineers, and anyone passionate about sustainable building practices. With its comprehensive syllabus and expert instructors, it prepares participants to contribute meaningfully to the infrastructure revolution aimed at achieving a low-carbon future. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of sustainable architecture and make a positive impact on our planet.
### Tags
– Net-Zero Buildings
– Sustainable Architecture
– Energy Efficiency
– Climate Resilience
– Passive Design
– HVAC Systems
– Indoor Air Quality
– Water Management
– Embodied Carbon
– Renewable Energy
### Topic
Sustainable Building Practices
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/net-zero-building-fundamentals