Energy Engineering

Advanced digital systems for energy and environmental transition; use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, theoretical premises, main graphic entities, initial project settings, such as templates for architectural and plant engineering disciplines, setting levels, grids, units of measurement, and work disciplines, choosing and customizing templates based on architectural and plant engineering design requirements; introduction to the fundamental principles of information modeling and its application in the design, construction, and management of buildings. Use of object modification commands. In-depth study of advanced functions for managing parametric elements. Customization of properties and application of constraints and relationships between model elements. Management of project families, which can be loaded and edited. Creation and modification of custom families for architectural, structural, and plant engineering elements. Definition of shared parameters and use of BIM libraries to optimize the design process. Methods for exporting digital documents in the various available formats will also be covered. Use of software and applications (Revit, Dynamo). A copy of the student program is available at: http://students.autodesk.com/ Bio-architecture. Bioclimatic archetypes in the history of architecture. Passive systems for thermal control (direct, indirect, and isolated gain). Strategies for eco-efficient design. The life cycle of resources and its importance in the design phase. Energy and environmental certification of buildings. Examples of eco-sustainable architecture. The role of climate. Temperature and relative humidity, solar radiation, wind, precipitation. Project data, data for the energy assessment of buildings. Definition of design strategies on bioclimatic charts. Building energy efficiency. General information and relevant regulations. Calculation procedures. Use of commercial software. Drafting a project: initial data input; definition of heat loss structures and systems; final calculation and considerations. Application of software to a building. Energy efficiency upgrades in buildings. Building performance. Software and applications. Renewables. Solar thermal energy, solar systems with flat plate collectors, solar energy collection efficiency, domestic water heating, thermal energy production for heating; Photovoltaic energy, photovoltaic effect, types of photovoltaic cells, semiconductor materials, p-type doping, n-type doping, PN junction, types and components of stand-alone and grid-connected systems, peak power, operating principle of a PV system, energy storage. Geothermal energy, the geothermal gradient, geothermal systems, HDR geothermal systems, classification of geothermal resources, use of geothermal resources, low enthalpy systems, direct use of heat, collection systems, heat pumps; Wind energy, mini and micro wind turbines, systems. Environmental control. Acoustics: fundamental quantities, acoustics of desired and undesired sounds; lighting technology: fundamental quantities, lighting requirements for a confined environment. Environmental well-being from a thermal, lighting, and acoustic point of view. Elements of active environmental control. Elements of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). Current legislation and regulations. Building ventilation. General information and relevant regulations. Calculation procedures. Examples and applications. Indoor air quality, concept of air quality, pollutants, air quality indicators, indoor pollution control, ventilation flow rate calculation, filters, energy implications of ventilation. Sustainable lighting systems. General information and relevant regulations. Natural and artificial lighting. Design aspects. Calculation procedures.

The course requires familiarity with the concepts of energy, energy consumption, and renewable sources, units of measurement, and the main conversion factors. Knowledge of the main environmental control systems used in buildings, as well as building materials and their thermophysical characteristics, is also useful. During the course, training sessions will be provided on the use of various software programs, including Autodesk Revit 2024.

Materiali e componenti per l’efficienza energetica degli edifici; G. Piras, E. Pennacchia, Legislazione Tecnica, 2018. Analisi energetica degli edifici - Elementi progettuali; F. Cumo, G. Piras, V. Sforzini, Esculapio Editore, 2019.

Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended; students who are interested in the course but are unable to attend are invited to contact the professor.

The exam consists of a written test, which must be passed in order to proceed to the oral exam, if requested by the Commission. The written test consists of a maximum of twenty open-ended questions, which may include calculations to be performed and functional diagrams to be drawn. The written test is graded based on the number of correct answers and their content. Both tests cover topics included in the course syllabus. During the course, written tests may be carried out to assess the level of learning (EXEMPTIONS). The exam may be preceded by the assessment of the assignments given during the course. N.B. assignment for the academic year 2025/2026: The assignment consists of digital information modeling in a BIM environment (using Revit 2024 software) of a commercial building. All the information needed to complete the assignment will be made available to students on the course's e-learning platform. The completed assignment must be submitted (using the form on the Moodle platform) 7 days before the exam date.

The student is free to use texts relating to the topics of the program. Materiali e componenti per l’efficienza energetica degli edifici; G. Piras, E. Pennacchia, Legislazione Tecnica, 2018. Analisi energetica degli edifici - Elementi progettuali; F. Cumo, G. Piras, V. Sforzini, Esculapio Editore, 2019. Bioarchitettura, esperienze di ricerca progettuale in aree di pregio; F. Cumo, U. Di Matteo, V. Sforzini, Editrice Ugo Quintily, 2010. Benessere termico, acustico, luminoso; G. Moncada, L. de Santoli, CEA editrice, 1999. Progettazione degli impianti di climatizzazione; L. de Santoli, F. Mancini, Maggioli editore 2017. Per i richiami di Fisica tecnica: FISICA TECNICA Seconda edizione; Gianni Cesini, Giovanni Latini, Fabio Polonara; CittàStudi Edizioni, 2022 Fisica dell'Edificio: Psicrometria; G. Caruso, Edizione Aracne, 2003.

classroom/remote lecturing classroom/remote exercises use of sowtware