Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD083.
Course Title (CB02)
Energy Management Return on Investment
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course introduces simple analytical methods to make good energy decisions. Specific topics include the fundamentals of life-cycle assessment, the terms used for energy analysis, the metrics defined for economic and financial cost-effectiveness, and the assessments made for any environmental impacts.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Electromechanical Technology (Industrial mechanical technology)]
Discipline 3
[Electricity (Electrical power distribution)]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and a requirement of the CTE Energy Management and Building Science Certificate and Degree programs. It reviews some of the methods used to perform a sustainability analysis and explains the importance of these methods in providing rational information on which to base energy decisions on.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
24.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises/projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from textbook and other relevant materials
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, summary, analysis, and synthesis of data and/or information
  3. Individual and team presentations/projects/reports on an assigned topic

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of weekly assignments including an assessment process to evaluate student comprehension of the concepts and principles of energy use and efficiency, energy cost, energy efficiency and conservation measures (EEMs and ECMs), energy reduction opportunities and the return on the investment of energy saving systems, processes and products.
  2. Completion of an individual or team project including an assessment to evaluate student comprehension of the concepts and principles of energy saving building improvements and the payback on those improvements.
  3. One individual or team assessment that will require a student to demonstrate the ability to analyze and write a report detailing the specific savings and financial return on building energy improvements including a presentation delivered to a key decision maker.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Calculator with advanced functions such as exponents, root, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, etc.
  • Internet device with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center (KC) for Environmental Studies (a sustainable building with sustainable materials and design features), energy management lab (KC239), solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration arrays (KC West, outdoors), building renewable energy systems (solar thermal system, solar PV system, controls room & other related equipment), and building mechanical (KC204) and electrical (KC205) rooms

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Randolph, J., & Masters, G. M.Energy for Sustainability: Technology, Planning, and PolicyIsland Press2018/2nd Edition9781610918206
Hall, C. A. S.Energy Return on Investment: A Unifying Principle for Biology, Economics, and SustainabilitySpringer Nature20179783319478203
Simonen, K.Life Cycle AssessmentRoutledge20149780415702423
McDonough, W., & Braungart, M.Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make ThingsNorth Point Press20020865475873

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Introduce the principles of life-cycle thinking and sustainability analysis
  • Review simple energy consumption and energy efficiency terms
  • Explore the most common economic and financial metrics of energy analysis
  • Describe the energy and material impacts on the natural and human environment

CSLOs

  • Define life cycle assessment and its importance to sustainability

  • Understand the basics of energy analysis

  • Perform simple energy cost-effective and economic feasibility calculations

  • Explain the environmental impact assessments of energy and material choices

Outline

  1. Introduce the principles of life-cycle thinking and sustainability analysis
    1. Life-Cycle Cost
    2. Cradle-to-Cradle thinking
    3. Four-steps of Life Cycle Analysis
  2. Review simple energy consumption and energy efficiency terms
    1. The basics of energy literacy
    2. Energy analysis terms
    3. Common energy analysis concepts
  3. Explore the most common economic and financial metrics of energy analysis
    1. Monetary value of energy
    2. Time value of money
    3. Economic metrics of cost-effectiveness
  4. Describe the energy and material impacts on the natural and human environment
    1. Inventory data and impact coefficients
    2. Life Cycle Inventory databases
    3. Environmental impact assessment examples
    4. Your carbon footprint
Back to Top