Decarbonization of Heat – An Introduction to Sustainable Heating and Cooling Systems from edX

Heat is the largest end-user of energy in the world. Therefore, decarbonization of heating and cooling supply in the built environment and related industries is of crucial importance to meet the targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In this MOOC you will learn the core concepts and use tools to help you identify sustainable heating and cooling solutions for various types of user demand profiles. We will start by looking at what determines the heating demand of buildings and processes, and how this be reduced. Next, we will take a look at what sustainable sources of heat are available and how to match them to requirements of demand such as space, time, and/or quality (i.e., temperature level). Finally, we will discuss technologies for heat storage, distribution and conversion. Additionally, experts from industry will showcase examples of successful sustainable heating and cooling systems.

After taking this MOOC you will have a clear overview of all the relevant technologies needed in the heat transition and understand which are best suited to which conditions including your own case. This MOOC is suitable for technical professionals who want to contribute to the adoption and successful operation of sustainable heating and cooling systems, but also for policymakers who need to identify solutions and policies to enable the adoption of renewable resources for heating and cooling.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Define the developments of heating/cooling demand/passive heating/cooling
Demonstrate concepts of conduction, convection, exergy, solar radiation
Apply and quantify various sources of sustainable heat
Identify technologies for conversion and storage of heat

Apply and quantify constraints and driving mechanisms in heat supply systems.
Apply and quantify economics of heating systems.
Identify (societal, technical and economical) feasible solutions by combining sources, conversion, storage and transport technologies into an integrated heating/cooling system
After following this mooc, you will be able to:

Define the developments of heating/cooling demand/passive heating/cooling
Demonstrate concepts of conduction, convection, exergy, solar radiation
Apply and quantify various sources of sustainable heat
Identify technologies for conversion and storage of heat
Apply and quantify constraints and driving mechanisms in heat supply systems.
Apply and quantify economics of heating systems.
Identify (societal, technical and economical) feasible solutions by combining sources, conversion, storage and transport technologies into an integrated heating/cooling system
After following this mooc, you will be able to:

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction

During the first week we will set the scene for the MOOC. We discuss why heat is important in the energy transition with clear numbers on use and emissions. Furthermore, we discuss why it is challenging to decarbonize the heat system.

Topics we’ll cover this week:

heating and cooling demand profiles

exergy, insulation and temperature levels

current heating/cooling systems and why it is challenging to change them

Week 2: Sustainable sources of heat

In this week you will be introduced to the various sustainable sources of heat and cooling that exist. You will learn how to quantify their available heating/cooling power, as well as total capacity per year/season.

solar collectors

environmental: surface water, asphalt/road, outside air

deep and shallow geothermal

waste heat from industry, datacenters etc.

Week 3: Conversion and storage

A key challenge to meet heating and cooling demand from sustainable sources is the mismatch in quality of the heat and the time when it is available. To overcome these discrepancies various methods exist to store and/or convert heat. Topics we’ll cover in this week:

fundamental working principles of a heat pump and application/types

sensible heat storage in underground tanks and pits

latent and thermo-chemical heat storage.

Week 4: Heat supply systems

In week 2 and 3 we covered the technologies needed to be able to meet heating and cooling demand from sustainable sources. In this week we will discuss how these different technologies can be combined to create heat supply systems. Topics we’ll cover this week:

temperature levels and supply capacity in buildings and district heating networks

passive and active heating/cooling

design of district heating networks

hydraulic connections and heat exchangers

Week 5: Heat economics and adoption

A key challenge in decarbonizing heating and cooling systems is related to economics (consumers don’t like to pay much for it) and adoption (consumers don’t like to change the systems in their house). During this week we examine these challenges in detail. You will learn how to create a viable business case for your sustainable heating system and how societal and policy aspects may affect its’ feasibility. Topics we’ll cover this week:

heat economics: Levelized cost over heat (LCOH)

business case for heat systems

effective policies for the heat transition

societal aspects in the heat transition

Week 6: Examples and your first own design

During the last week you will work on your own sustainable heating and cooling system by applying and combining the concepts acquired during the previous weeks. We provide you with inspiration by presenting a wide range of example projects from industry professionals to showcase how various challenges are dealt with in real life projects. We complete the MOOC with a wrap-up. Topics we’ll cover this week:

individual heating systems

collective heating systems

integration of heating system in the future power grid

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps learners design sustainable heating and cooling systems, which is highly relevant in the construction industry

Suitable for technical professionals interested in sustainable heating and cooling systems

Explores various sources of sustainable heat, including solar collectors and geothermal energy

Taught by experts in heat transition and sustainable energy

Requires technical understanding of building systems and energy conversion

May require additional research to supplement the course's limited scope on specific technologies

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Decarbonization of Heat – An Introduction to Sustainable Heating and Cooling Systems. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Decarbonization of Heat – An Introduction to Sustainable Heating and Cooling Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Building Energy Efficiency Engineer

A Building Energy Efficiency Engineer may work designing sustainable heating and cooling systems for buildings. Enrolling in this course can provide a foundation in heat pump operations and heat recovery systems, which can be relevant to this career.

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Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant may provide recommendations on how to make business operations more environmentally friendly, including through the implementation of sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in quantifying the costs of these systems may be especially helpful for a Sustainability Consultant.

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Energy Manager

An Energy Manager may be tasked with identifying and executing ways to reduce energy consumption in a variety of settings, possibly including the design and implementation of sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC may be part of the educational background for an Energy Manager.

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Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer may work on projects related to preserving the environment, which could include designing sustainable heating and cooling systems. The course's focus on decarbonization of heating and cooling may be especially relevant for an Environmental Engineer.

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Mechanical Engineer

A Mechanical Engineer may design and build heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC may be part of the educational background for a Mechanical Engineer.

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Renewable Energy Engineer

A Renewable Energy Engineer may design and build renewable energy systems, which could include sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for a Renewable Energy Engineer.

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Energy Auditor

An Energy Auditor may assess the energy consumption of buildings and make recommendations for improvements, which could include the implementation of sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in quantifying the costs of these systems may be especially helpful for an Energy Auditor.

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Architect

An Architect may design buildings, which could include designing sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for an Architect.

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Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer may design and build infrastructure, which could include sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for a Civil Engineer.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist may work on projects related to preserving the environment, which could include designing sustainable heating and cooling systems. The course's focus on decarbonization of heating and cooling may be especially relevant for an Environmental Scientist.

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Hydrologist

A Hydrologist may study water resources, which could include designing sustainable heating and cooling systems that use water as a source of energy. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for a Hydrologist.

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Geothermal Engineer

A Geothermal Engineer may design and build geothermal heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for a Geothermal Engineer.

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Researcher

A Researcher may study sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC would likely be part of the educational background for a Researcher.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst may develop policies related to energy and the environment, which could include policies related to sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC may be part of the educational background for a Policy Analyst.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager may oversee the implementation of sustainable heating and cooling systems. Coursework in this MOOC may be part of the educational background for a Project Manager.

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