Summary: This module focuses on storage technologies in buildings focusing on thermal storage for both heating and cooling applications that are at the building scale. Renewable energy sources that are discontinuous and the shift to a decentralized energy production, distribution and smart trading of energy makes thermal storage a key part of the new low-carbon energy system supporting resilience and flexibility of the grid. The module will start with a broad classification of TES systems using different criteria.

Summary: There is a realization that technology-only solutions are not the most effective way of achieving best efficiency in building operation. Occupants and users' actions often diverge and develop in ways not always in consonance with the originally intended design of buildings. A way of sorting this discrepancy between "idealized" building occupant models and more realistic ones is to consider the role of occupants in the design and operation of buildings.

Summary: In this module, we will critically review sustainability assessment certification based on gathered evidence from last decades. Whereas LEED and BREEAM assessment methods are comprehensive, and energy is just one of multiple aspects of the certification, PASSIVE House is focused in energy and envelope optimization among other variables to consider in design. Other schemes for green building certification that are not widely adopted are also introduced. Building resilience against green design and sustainability is examined, as both approaches and orientations could conflict.

Summary: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the attention of researchers, policymakers, and designers the need for a healthier environment, given the amount of time humans spend inside built structures and the importance of air ventilation and filtration. A comprehensive concept of health includes also thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic comfort, and mother psychological and social aspects that impact how buildings are designed and operated.

Summary: This module will analyse the concept of building resilience as the capacity to adapt, ameliorate and mitigate the impact of climate-related events and the future conditions of a changing climate and environment. There is a clear effect in internal thermal conditions of rising temperatures. Weather predictions and methods are to be considered in the design stage of new buildings and the refurbishment and adaptation actions of the existing and old ones. Different strategies to modelling of heating and cooling demands of buildings in futures scenarios are considered.

Summary: Model Predictive Control of building energy systems are very well developed and understood advanced techniques for control, optimization and intelligent HVAC operation. The model of the building and the capacity to simulate future scenarios is the main strength of this approach. We review the existing landscape of software tools, techniques, and the practicalities of implementing such systems and interfacing with existing SCADA and BMS hardware and software in place.

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Summary: University of Galway recently completed a ground source heat pump project as part of the EU-H2020 project GEOFIT. This module will explain the experiences and lessons learned of this pilot. From the design consideration using specialized software, the calculation of the load profiles, to the hydronic design options and analysis methods. The design exercise is put into contrast with the practicalities of budgeting, procuring, and executing the construction works.

Summary: When considering energy retrofit investment, a easy and quick method to assess financial feasibility is to consider capital investments (CAPEX) against energy savings. There is little consideration of the increase in value that the upgrades will bring to the building. This added value is difficult to assess, but it is an important effect that needs consideration and has deep financial implications. The EU has already highlighted the importance of a more comprehensive valuation and risk assessment method that reflects this value in order to unlock private investments.

Summary: This module is a practical tutorial of the use of MATLAB and SIMULINK as simulation tools for energy efficient building operation. A complete walkthrough of the software and explanations of the different libraries and modules is provided in a hands-on session. This software is a state-of-the-art tool ecosystem with proven capabilities to flexibly accommodate most mathematical and numerical methods for energy modelling and multi-domain building operational problems. The modelling style of the software is equation based with a graphical block editor.