OVERVIEW

Within the broad framework of buildings' energy performance and efficiency, not only will the fundamentals of thermophysics of buildings be reviewed, but also the principles of operation and characteristics of heating, refrigeration, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will be illustrated. Additionally, heat pumps will be introduced, and their main heat sources will be discussed. Renewable energy sources will then be presented, with a particular focus on the utilization of solar energy through solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. During the course, some examples of system design will also be provided in the form of practical applications.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course offers a theoretical part and a practical part with general applications. The aim is to provide the basic knowledge for the design of air conditioning systems, with particular reference to those based on the use of energy from renewable sources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the teaching, students must:

• know the fundamentals of the thermo-physical behavior of buildings;
• know the main characteristics of the air conditioning systems:
• know the main characteristics of heat pumps;
• know the fundamentals of solar collectors;
• know the fundamentals of photovoltaic panels;
• be able to perform a first evaluation of the performance of these building' systems;
• solve simple problems of system’s sizing.

PREREQUISITES

Students have to know properly and deeply the main topics and means given by the teachings of Applied Physics and Mathematics.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of both theoretical lectures and applied lessons. The first ones introduce the main topics, the latter deepen the knowledge and give examples of applications.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to energy performance of buildings.
Air conditioning. HVAC systems.
Heat pumps. Energy sources of HPs.
Renewable energies. Solar energy: flat solar collectors, photovoltaic panels.
Energy need of buildings.
Plant design examples. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

To prepare for the exam, students can refer to the slides made available by the teacher on AULAWEB.

For self-study and in-depth study of particular topics, the following text can be recommended:

Heating and cooling of buildings, T.A. Reddy, J.F. Kreider, P.S. Curtiss, A. Rabl, 3rd Ed., CRC Press, 2017.

{For eventual recap of introductory topics: Principles of heat and mass transfer, F.P. Incropera, D.P. Dewitt, T.L. Bergman, A.S. Lavine, 7th Ed., Wiley, 2013 }

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See the webpage:  https://easyacademy.unige.it/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a mandatory written test, followed by an optional oral exam. The written test lasts one hour and fifteen minutes and includes an open-ended question (on a theoretical topic) and an exercise (on an applied topic). If the result of the written test is insufficient, the exam must be retaken. The purpose of the written test is to verify that the student has achieved a good level of knowledge of the main topics.

If the result of the written test is sufficient, the subsequent oral exam is optional, but it may still be required for students who have obtained a barely sufficient score in the written test. The oral exam serves to assess the extent to which the student is able to analyze, describe, and discuss the course topics. If the oral exam is insufficient, the exam is not passed, and the written test must be retaken.

Exam registration must be done exclusively through the UniGe portal. Students who are not registered cannot take the exam.

Exam registration closes two working days before the exam date. For example, if the exam is scheduled for Tuesday, registration will close on the previous Friday. A registered student must unsubscribe at least two days before the exam.

The overall duration of the exam session and its organization are communicated on the morning of the written test, after verifying the actual presence of registered candidates. Since the written test begins at 9:00 AM, it is essential - under penalty of being unable to take the exam - that all registered students be present in the designated classroom at least ten minutes before the start of the test. In case of a large number of registered students, the exam may continue on the following days.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test evaluates the successful comprehension of the different topics of the course and the consequent ability to apply the concepts acquired to the solution of some simple problems.
The oral test allows to investigate with more accuracy the student's level of knowledge of the theoretical and applicative themes as well as his/her ability in performing critical reasoning. In the oral examination, attention is also paid to the clarity of the exposition and to the mastery of specific technical language.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To join the exam, the Student must show the University ID and/or other identity document.
During the written test students are allowed to use only a black or blue ballpoint pen, the necessary to erase, a ruler, the calculator. Any needed table / diagram will be supplied within the written test. The usage of handouts, forms or sheets other than those provided is forbidden (exception is made for DSA students).
All the news concerning the teaching (e.g., advices, recommendations, changes to the office hours for students, evaluations of the written tests, etc.) are always posted on the Aulaweb webpage.
Students are advised to update their e-mail address provided by the University with the address of a frequently-checked inbox, so as to receive any urgent notices communicated by the teacher.