Energy efficiency education for engineers

A national tertiary team has created a web-based package of learning resources for engineering lecturers and their students, focusing on energy efficiency education.

The Energy Efficiency Education Resources for Engineering (EEERE) project was led by QUT’s Dr Cheryl Desha and has involved other university partners including the University of Adelaide, University of Wollongong, Victoria University and RMIT University. The package aims to equip engineering students with the ability to conduct energy efficiency assessments and improve energy performance across major sectors of the Australian economy.

“It’s widely acknowledged that energy efficiency provides an immediate, simple and cost-effective way to manage rising energy costs and reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Dr Desha said.

“These new resources will boost the ability of tertiary institutions to give engineering undergraduates the most up-to-date knowledge and skills in identifying, evaluating and implementing energy efficiency opportunities.”

Dr Desha said the course-ready package includes 10 videos and supporting flat-pack lecture and tutorial notes, two case studies and a virtual experience 3D model through a commercial building. She said, “The information can be spliced into existing lecture material, with the virtual reality experiences enabling students to navigate work-sites and conduct energy efficiency assessments from their home, office or classroom.”

The $460,000 EEERE project was funded by the Australian Government and supported by Engineers Australia, the Australasian Association of Engineering Education, Australian Council of Engineering Deans, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Australian Power Institute, and Mining Education Australia.

“This is the first time this level of funding and collaboration has occurred to develop online open-access resources in education for sustainable development,” Dr Desha said.

“The project sets a national precedent for tertiary cooperation in curriculum renewal.”