Claim up to $1,250 in flight credits!
Get up to $1,250 in flight credits or grants toward study or internship programs abroad when you apply by June 30, 2026. See our Official Rules for full details.
Sustainable Energy and Green Buildings
Business, Design & Innovation Program
Barcelona, Spain
Dates: 1/7/27 - 4/30/27
Sustainable Energy and Green Buildings
OVERVIEW
CEA CAPA Partner Institution: University of Vic
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Primary Subject Area: Engineering
Instruction in: English
Transcript Source: Partner Institution
Course Details: Level 300
Recommended Semester Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 45
Prerequisites: Students are expected to have prior knowledge of fundamental engineering principles, including basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, and physics. Familiarity with energy balances, fluid mechanics concepts, and introductory electrical systems is recommended. Students should also be comfortable with algebraic modelling and basic calculus, as quantitative analysis of energy systems and building performance will be required. Experience with engineering analysis tools (such as R, Python, or spreadsheet-based modelling) is beneficial but not mandatory. A general awareness of sustainability concepts and environmental systems will support successful course completion, though foundational principles will be reviewed as needed.
DESCRIPTION
This course provides an in-depth introduction to sustainable energy systems and high-performance green buildings, with a focus on the engineering principles that drive energy efficiency, renewable integration, and decarbonization. Students will explore energy conversion technologies, distributed generation, storage systems, and smart grid integration alongside the physical principles governing building thermal performance and HVAC systems. Emphasis is placed on quantitative analysis of energy demand, heat transfer, system efficiency, lifecycle carbon assessment, and economic feasibility. The course examines renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind, battery storage solutions, and microgrid architectures, as well as building envelope design, passive strategies, and advanced heating and cooling systems. Students will also analyse green building certification frameworks, net-zero energy design strategies, and resilience planning for climate-adaptive infrastructure. Through engineering-based case studies and applied system modelling, the course develops the technical competencies required to design, evaluate, and optimise sustainable energy and building systems in real-world contexts.