Study Guide

Objectives

In this course, the student delves more comprehensively into the significance of the built environment as an active participant in Finland's rapidly evolving electricity system and energy markets. Additionally, the student explores perspectives on sustainable development and familiarizes themselves with life cycle assessments in the field. Upon completion of the course, the student:

• Recognizes the built environment's role as an active player in Finland's rapidly evolving electricity system.
• Identifies opportunities for buildings as part of regional energy solutions.
• Understands the principles of energy markets and the built environment's potential as an energy buyer, producer, and flexibility provider.
• Can investigate the key national and international legislation governing energy production and consumption and recognizes its significance in guiding building energy use.
• Is familiar with the possibilities of the built environment in regional and local energy production and storage solutions, as well as the operational principles of various energy recycling solutions.
• Understands the concept of an energy community and is aware of the energy community models enabled by Finnish legislation.

• Can describe factors related to the energy economy of buildings and associated challenges comprehensively.
• Can perform technical-economic comparisons between different solutions.
• Can comprehensively describe the significance of sustainable development and environmental perspectives in construction and the principles of life cycle economics.
• Can conduct life cycle cost calculations.
• Recognizes life cycle assessments related to the built environment and environmental classification systems, along with their objectives.

Content

Smart Energy Solutions:
The role of the built environment in the electricity system.
Functioning of energy markets and security of supply.
Key regulations, guidelines, and taxonomy influencing energy production and consumption.
Regional and local energy production and storage solutions.
Energy recycling solutions.
Energy communities in Finland.
Demand response solutions for buildings.
Principles of energy audit activities and audit models.
Implementation of energy efficiency projects.

Life Cycle Assessment:
Building project certifications and classifications.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC).
Climate surveys for buildings.
Sustainable development.

Prerequisites

Recommended three-year studies in HVAC or electrical building services engineering or equivalent information.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student can explain the basic aspects of Finland's and the EU's energy system and policy, as well as regulations.
They have some knowledge of energy recycling, energy communities, and the possibilities of demand response in buildings.
The student recognizes the concept of energy efficiency projects and energy audit activities.
They can describe factors related to life cycle costs and environmental impacts in building services engineering and use basic equations in life cycle cost calculations.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student can describe the characteristics of the Finnish and European energy systems, including future development challenges and regulations.
They are familiar, through examples, with various opportunities related to energy recycling, implementation of energy communities, and solutions for demand response in buildings.
The student can verbally explain different regional and local energy production and storage solutions.
They recognize various approaches to implementing energy efficiency projects and energy audit activities.
The student can apply factors related to life cycle costs and environmental impacts in building services engineering, using basic equations, and integrate them, considering the overall complexity of building services systems.
They have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sustainable development and can discuss the role of the built environment in sustainable development.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can apply knowledge of the characteristics of the Finnish and European energy systems, including future development challenges and regulations.
They are knowledgeable about various opportunities related to energy recycling, implementation of energy communities, and solutions for demand response in buildings, and can present well-founded perspectives on different solutions.
The student can verbally explain different regional and local energy production and storage solutions, presenting well-founded perspectives on various alternatives.
They recognize various approaches to implementing energy efficiency projects and energy audit activities, and can articulate differences between them in their own words.
The student can comprehensively apply factors related to life cycle costs and environmental impacts in building services engineering.
They can use applied equations for life cycle cost analysis, considering the overall complexity of building services systems and their cost implications.
They have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sustainable development and can discuss the role of the built environment in sustainable development in a multifaceted manner.