Unit BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELLBEING

Course
Building engineering and architecture
Study-unit Code
A001132
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Anna Laura Pisello
CFU
12
Course Regulation
Coorte 2021
Offered
2023/24
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa integrata

APPLIED PHYSICS

Code A001130
CFU 6
Teacher Anna Laura Pisello
Teachers
  • Anna Laura Pisello
Hours
  • 54 ore - Anna Laura Pisello
Learning activities Base
Area Discipline fisico-tecniche ed impiantistiche per l'architettura
Academic discipline ING-IND/11
Type of study-unit Opzionale (Optional)
Language of instruction Italian, with the chance to offer support in English and technical content in English offered by the lecturer.
Contents Applied Physics is the discipline that analyzes the relationship between heat, work, and systems and studies the nature and qualitative-quantitative aspects of energy processes.

The program and structure of its contents consist of two parts: Applied Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer.

Applied Thermodynamics comprises several analytical and theoretical methods that can be applied to energy conversion machines.

Heat Transfer consists of a number of models that allow for the prediction of heat exchange between bodies.

Although it is a classical theoretical discipline, the contents are adapted from the beginning to civil applications, aiming to create a greater awareness in students of the potential use of fundamental concepts while also laying the groundwork for more applied developments in the field of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
Reference texts Lecture notes by the teacher and, in addition,
Environmental Technical Physics, with elements of Acoustics and Lighting Technology - McGrawHill - Y. Cengel, G. Dall'ò, L. Sarto
Eventually integrated with:
Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach
10th Edition
By Yunus Cengel and Michael Boles and Mehmet Kanoglu
Published: January 30, 2023
Educational objectives Knowledge and technical-quantitative skills on the following topics:
Energy, energy transfer, and energy analysis.
Pure substances. Closed systems. Control volumes and conservation of mass. Second law of thermodynamics. Entropy. Gas and vapor mixtures, atmospheric air. Heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Prerequisites Basic knowledge of Mathematical Analysis, calculus, and General Physics.
Teaching methods Frontal lessons and exercises, including applied calculations.
Other information Availability of the lecturer via email and by appointment (via Teams or in person).
Learning verification modality Written and oral examination and Lab homework executed with the applied support given by the lecturer.
Extended program 1. Thermodynamics: Basic concepts and definitions.
2. The First Law of Thermodynamics.
3. The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Reversible and irreversible processes.
4. Open systems (mass, energy, entropy balance).
5. Single-component simple systems and (p,v) diagrams. Liquids.
6. Saturated vapors.
7. Superheated vapors.
8. Ideal gases.
9. Real gases.
10. Thermodynamic diagrams (T,s), (h,s), (p,h), and (T,p).
11. Steam power cycles. Refrigeration cycle.
12. Compressible fluid flow.
13. Gas mixtures.
14. Perfect gas mixtures.
15. Fundamentals of psychrometrics.
16. Heat transfer by conduction. Fourier's law. Fourier's equation.
17. Heat transfer by convection. Natural convection. Forced convection.
18. Radiative heat transfer.
19. Overall heat transfer coefficient.
20. Heat exchangers. Logarithmic mean temperature difference.
21. Thermal comfort: Thermohygrometric balance of the human body; comfort indices (direct, derived, and empirical).
22. Causes of local discomfort.
23. Comfort diagrams and regulatory references.
24. Indoor air quality: Major pollutants; sick building syndrome; filtration systems.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile The course on Applied Physics, dealing with Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, and Heat Transfer is of great importance in light of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. This course provides the necessary scientific and technical foundations to address crucial challenges related to energy efficiency, sustainable resource utilization, and environmental impact reduction.

Firstly, the course covers the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, which are essential for understanding and optimizing energy processes. Knowledge of these principles is crucial for the development of efficient and sustainable energy solutions, directly related to Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all."

Secondly, the course focuses on heat transfer, which is of fundamental importance for the design and optimization of heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems in buildings. Proper heat management within buildings contributes to Goal 11: "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable," promoting energy efficiency in buildings and the well-being of occupants.

Additionally, the course addresses topics such as indoor air quality and resource optimization, which are important for achieving Goals 3 (Good health and well-being), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and 13 (Climate action).

Finally, the course equips students with the ability to understand and analyze energy and thermal processes from a sustainable perspective, enabling them to contribute significantly to the development and implementation of innovative solutions to address environmental and climate challenges in the current global context.

Overall, the course on Technical Physics, Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, and Heat Transfer plays a key role in providing students with the scientific and technical skills necessary to tackle the challenges of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and promote a more sustainable and equitable future.

The knowledge acquired in the course of Applied Physics offers numerous employment opportunities within the framework of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
One relevant field is represented by building energy efficiency. The skills acquired in the course enable the design and optimization of heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems that reduce energy consumption and the environmental impact of buildings.
Another area concerns the development and implementation of sustainable energy solutions. The thermodynamics knowledge allows understanding and optimizing energy processes, both for the use of renewable sources and for efficient energy resource management. This opens up career prospects as sustainable energy system designers, clean energy consultants, renewable energy engineers, and researchers in advanced energy technologies.
Additionally, the understanding of heat transfer processes and thermal management of spaces finds application in the field of sustainable construction. Experts in this field can work as thermal insulation system designers, environmental comfort engineers, energy efficiency consultants, and developers of advanced thermal materials.
Furthermore, the skills acquired in the course are also relevant in the context of environmental policies and climate change. Experts in thermodynamics and heat transfer can contribute to the implementation of mitigation and adaptation policies, as well as the assessment and management of the environmental impact of industrial activities.

ENERGY SYSTEMS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLES

Code A001133
CFU 6
Teacher Anna Laura Pisello
Teachers
  • Anna Laura Pisello
Hours
  • 54 ore - Anna Laura Pisello
Learning activities Affine/integrativa
Area Attività formative affini o integrative
Academic discipline ING-IND/11
Type of study-unit Opzionale (Optional)
Language of instruction Italian
Contents THERMAL LOADS. TRADITIONAL SOURCE PLANTS. RENEWABLE SOURCE PLANTS. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION PROTOCOLS
Reference texts Lecture notes by the teacher.

Air conditioning and conditioning systems - Cinzia Buratti - Morlacchi publisher, 2015.
(in Italian, Impianti di climatizzazione e condizionamento - Cinzia Buratti - Morlacchi editore, 2015.)
Educational objectives The course provides a solid foundation of knowledge in the field of energy and the environment applied to building construction, with the aim of developing skills and design capabilities in the thermophysical behavior of buildings. There is a particular emphasis on the quantitative aspects of designing efficient, comfortable, and sustainable buildings, as well as evaluating the qualitative requirements of the indoor environment, such as thermal comfort and air quality. Students will be guided in the design of building-systems through theoretical lessons, numerical/design exercises in the classroom or laboratories, as well as experimental exercises in real buildings that are studied.

More in details, the course provides fundamental knowledge on energy-environmental applied to construction and is aimed at the development of skills and design skills in the field of thermo-physical behavior of buildings, with a focus on the quantitative aspects of the project of efficient, comfortable and sustainable buildings and special attention to the evaluation of the quality requirements of the internal environment (thermoigrometric comfort and air quality), to guide the student towards the sizing of building-plant systems. The course consists of lectures, numerical/design exercises (which will be carried out in the classroom and/or in laboratories) and experimental exercises in real buildings being studied.
The student will be called to know the main types of systems for civil construction, starting from the occupant-centered approach of the building in terms of multi-physical thermal and environmental well-being.
In particular, technical and regulatory aspects related to the energy efficiency of the building system system, innovative materials for the building envelope will be studied in depth, in order to then address technological issues such as: thermal and electrical systems, the main lighting systems, systems powered by renewable energy sources (electric solar, solar thermal, low enthalpy geothermal) up to the thermal and electric storage). Dimensioning techniques will then be illustrated and implemented through the application project which will be conducted through more advanced stationary, quasi-stationary and dynamic analysis methods. The project will therefore start from the analysis of the loads and will allow the student to deal independently with the main strategies for improving energy efficiency also in light of the most recent national and European regulations, including energy and environmental certifications and in the life cycle perspective and carbon footprint.

Knowledge of the bases for designing energy production plants (electrical, thermal and cooling) also powered by renewable sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass) and through the use of energy storage techniques. Acquisition of currently available energy and environmental certification tools and minimum environmental requirements.
Prerequisites Basic knowledge of mathematics and physics. Basics of applied physics.
Teaching methods Frontal lesson, practical exercises, application laboratory and project.
Learning verification modality Written and oral exam (with the possibility of partial written exemption), Delivery of project documents and critical discussion.
Extended program THERMAL LOADS. Internal and external design conditions and calculation of summer and winter thermal loads. Energy needs of buildings and systems. Tools and methodologies for energy saving and energy efficiency. Heating, air conditioning and conditioning systems. Plant classification: main types, selection criteria, advantages and disadvantages of the available solutions.
TRADITIONAL SOURCE PLANTS. Design criteria. Description and sizing of the main constituents. Cooling and thermal energy production systems. Heat generators: types, main characteristics and performance parameters. Refrigerating machines: operating principle, types, main characteristics and performance parameters. Heat pumps: operating principle, types, main characteristics and performance parameters. Sizing of refrigeration machines and heat generators. Combined production systems for electricity, heat and cooling. Generation and trigeneration from conventional sources (outline).
RENEWABLE SOURCE PLANTS. Definition and classification of renewable energy sources. Worldwide, European and national diffusion: current scenario and development prospects.
Solar power. Characteristics of solar energy. Photovoltaics: photovoltaic conversion, photovoltaic cells and modules; components and design of a photovoltaic system. Solar thermal: types of collectors and efficiencies; characteristics of the main components of a solar thermal system; sizing of systems for the production of domestic hot water and for heating integration. Thermodynamic solar: classification of concentration systems; working fluids, thermal storage tanks and sizing of a solar power plant.
Wind energy: wind characteristics, frequency distribution, vertical profile; Betz theory and maximum power of a wind turbine; power coefficient, construction and control aspects; estimate of annual energy production; technical-economic analysis and environmental impact.
Hydroelectric energy: estimate of the theoretical electric power that can be produced; classification and characteristics of hydroelectric plants; types of hydraulic turbines.
Geothermal energy: characteristics of the subsoil and geothermal resources; heat pumps and geothermal probes: types and sizing.
Energy from biomass: classification and characterization of biomasses; thermochemical processes (combustion and gasification); biochemical processes (anaerobic digestion); vegetable oil extraction; main cogeneration technologies.
Energy storage: discontinuity of renewable sources, peaks of energy consumption and the concept of energy storage; sensitive, latent and thermochemical thermal storage (operating principles, basic materials and applications); electrical chemical (hydrogen), electrochemical (batteries), electrical (supercapacitors) and mechanical (flywheels, compressed air or hydroelectric basins) storage.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION. Energy efficiency in buildings: main definitions; thermal bridges, transmittance and thermo-hygrometric verification; main energy retrofit methodologies; energy certification; dynamic simulation. Environmental sustainability: life cycle analysis, main environmental certifications (type I, II and III), minimum environmental criteria (CAM).
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile The course assumes significant importance within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs are a set of goals and targets established by the United Nations to address global challenges, including combating climate change, ensuring access to sustainable energy, promoting health and well-being, reducing inequalities, and creating sustainable cities and communities.

This course specifically contributes to relevant goals, particularly Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Goal 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy while promoting energy efficiency and increasing the share of renewable energy sources. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design energy-efficient buildings, utilize renewable energy sources, and implement energy-saving strategies.

Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The course addresses the challenges of modern cities by providing students with a deep understanding of building thermal behavior and sustainable building systems. Students learn to consider occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental impact in building and system design.

Additionally, the course aligns with Goal 13: Climate Action by addressing the challenge of climate change through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in buildings. This contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the environmental impact of human activities.

Moreover, the course provides an understanding of regulatory requirements and energy and environmental certifications, which are essential tools for monitoring and assessing progress towards sustainability goals.

Overall, the course is of fundamental importance in educating professionals who are aware of global challenges related to energy, the environment, and climate change. Students will be able to apply their skills in the field of sustainable construction and contribute to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
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