Building Energy Systems & Auditing Course | IIT Kharagpur | Sustainable Architecture
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 211 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Architecture and Planning, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Environment, Sustainable Architecture |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Building a Sustainable Future: A Deep Dive into Building Energy Systems and Auditing
In an era defined by climate change and resource scarcity, the built environment stands as a critical frontier for energy conservation. The design, operation, and maintenance of buildings account for a significant portion of global energy consumption. For architects, planners, and engineers, mastering the principles of building energy systems is no longer optional—it's imperative. A comprehensive course from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, led by an eminent expert, provides the essential roadmap.
Your Guide to Sustainable Building Science
This 8-week undergraduate course is meticulously crafted by Prof. Shankha Pratim Bhattacharya, an Associate Professor at IIT Kharagpur's Department of Architecture and Regional Planning. With over 25 years of teaching experience and research accolades in Building Science, Thermal Comfort, and Energy Modelling, Prof. Bhattacharya brings unparalleled expertise. His recognition as an "Eminent Architectural Engineer" by the Institute of Engineers (India) underscores the quality and depth of knowledge you will gain.
Who Should Enroll and What You'll Learn
Intended Audience: This course is ideally suited for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Architecture, particularly those in their third year or beyond with a foundation in climatology.
Industry Support: It is highly relevant for professionals in architectural firms specializing in climate-responsive design and building energy auditing, providing practical skills aligned with industry needs.
The course is structured to transform your understanding from fundamental principles to practical application, effectively bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional certification prerequisites for systems like GRIHA and LEED.
Course Layout: An 8-Week Journey to Expertise
The curriculum is logically divided into two core sections: understanding building physics and energy simulation, followed by conservation strategies and auditing.
Weeks 1-4: Foundations of Building Physics and Compliance
Week 1: General Introduction to Building Physics. Review of Climate Responsive Design Principles, Heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation), Material properties, and Daylighting fundamentals.
Week 2: Building Heat Transfer Mechanism. Deep dive into heat admittance through the building envelope, psychrometric operations, solar radiation, and glazing design considerations.
Week 3: Building Heat Load Estimation Methods. Learn to calculate thermal loads, ventilation needs, and model building energy using thermal transfer values. Introduces the key concept of Cooling Degree Days.
Week 4: Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) Considerations. Explore India's ECBC norms for energy-efficient buildings, the envelope trade-off method, Envelope Performance Factor (EPF), and daylight integration.
Weeks 5-8: Conservation, Auditing, and Advanced Technologies
Week 5: Energy Conservation in Residential Buildings. Study the Eco-Niwas Samhita 2018 guidelines, Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV) across Indian climates, and comfort system controls.
Week 6: Life Cycle Analysis. Discuss the total energy footprint of buildings, differentiating between embodied and operational energy. Examine BEE guidelines and Building Energy Index (BEI).
Week 7: Building Energy Audits. The core of professional practice. Cover audit types and levels, auditing tools, calculating retrofit payback periods, and factors affecting insulation performance.
Week 8: Passive Technologies and Green Energy. Explore innovative low-energy solutions like earth-air tubes, radiant cooling, and PDEC. Examine green energy sources (PV cells, wind, biogas) and analyze real-world case studies of energy-efficient Indian buildings.
Essential Reference Materials
The course is supported by a robust reading list, including:
- Baker & Steemers: Energy and Environment in Architecture: A Technical Guide
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency: Energy Conservation Building Code & Eco-Niwas Samhita
- Szokolay: Introduction to Architectural Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design
- Harbuck: Residential Energy Auditing and Improvement
- And other key texts on daylighting, tropical housing, and green technology.
Why This Course is Essential for Modern Architects
This program does more than impart knowledge; it builds competency. By its conclusion, participants will be equipped with the foundational skills required for formal building energy audit certifications. You will gain a holistic understanding of how to design, analyze, and improve buildings for optimal energy performance, directly contributing to environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. In a world urgently transitioning towards green norms, this expertise from IIT Kharagpur is not just an academic pursuit—it's a professional imperative for shaping a sustainable built environment.
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