1. Key Concepts Energy Efficiency Resources for Undergraduate Engineering
Energy-Mass Balance
Energy Efficiency Resources for Undergraduate Engineering
Design and Energy Efficiency
Key Concepts
In this episode of the energy efficiency resources for undergraduate engineering, we’ll explore the key concepts for Design and Energy Efficiency.

2. Design Lifecycle need definition conceptual design preliminary design
Energy-Mass Balance
Design Lifecycle
need definition
conceptual design
Engineers can make significant energy savings in the early design stages for new engineering projects
This module covers how engineers can incorporate energy efficiency considerations into the main phases of engineering projects.
preliminary design
procurement
detailed design and construction
operation optimisation
end-of-life

3. Office buildings 86% Lighting lamps 98% Rock crusher 94%
Energy-Mass Balance
Percentage of life-cycle energy during operation
Office buildings %
The front-end design process for new engineering projects provides the most significant opportunity to improve energy efficiency. Decisions made during the early design phases of engineering projects lock in up to 90% of the life-cycle operational costs
Lighting lamps %
Rock crusher %
Refrigerator %
Cars, vehicles >65%

4. Percentage of life-cycle energy during operation
Energy-Mass Balance
Percentage of life-cycle energy during operation
Traditional Design
SYSTEM
DESIGN
DETAIL
DESIGN
Investing more time and effort in the early design phases has been shown to reduce the system life-cycle costs, increase the system quality, and reduce the development costs, time, and risk.
PRODUCTION
INTEGRATION
TEST
SYSTEM
DESIGN
DETAIL
DESIGN
PRODUCTION
INTEGRATION
TEST
Saved Time
/Cost
‘Systems Thinking’ Design
time/cost >

5. Design Lifecycle need definition conceptual design preliminary design
Energy-Mass Balance
Design Lifecycle
need definition
conceptual design
It is important to note that efforts to improve energy efficiency in the front-end design phase can be undone in the procurement and detailed design and construction phases of engineered projects. This is because companies often contract engineering firms to undertake both the detailed design, construction and operation of projects.
preliminary design
procurement
detailed design and construction
operation optimisation
end-of-life

6. Design Lifecycle need definition conceptual design preliminary design
Energy-Mass Balance
Design Lifecycle
need definition
conceptual design
In the past, because of split incentives in contracts, property companies often took the lowest cost bid from engineering firms when undertaking detailed design or constructing commercial building projects. This ignored the fact that cutting costs on detailed design and construction left buildings with far higher operational costs.
Better incentives and rewards for engineering contractors are needed to deliver optimal energy efficient outcomes.
preliminary design
procurement
detailed design and construction
operation optimisation
end-of-life

7. Design Lifecycle need definition conceptual design preliminary design
Energy-Mass Balance
Design Lifecycle
need definition
conceptual design
Once an engineered system is built as a prototype there are again opportunities to test the system and identify additional energy efficiency opportunities, such as optimising the running and operation of variable speed drives.
preliminary design
procurement
detailed design and construction
operation optimisation
end-of-life

8. Design Lifecycle need definition conceptual design preliminary design
Energy-Mass Balance
Design Lifecycle
need definition
conceptual design
Finally, designing for the end-of-life during the earlier phases can maximise resource recovery, minimise processing cost, and optimise the system salvage value. Recycling of materials saves significant amounts of energy compared to using raw materials.
preliminary design
procurement
detailed design and construction
operation optimisation
end-of-life

9. Key Concepts Energy Efficiency Resources for Undergraduate Engineering
Energy-Mass Balance
Energy Efficiency Resources for Undergraduate Engineering
Design and Energy Efficiency
Key Concepts
Explore the details, examples and exercises of design and energy efficiency opportunities in the rest of this module.