Energy-efficient Building Systems - Specialization

In this specialization, students learn how energy-saving technologies contribute to developing sustainable energy solutions for buildings. The focus is on designing and implementing technologies that reduce energy consumption for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and other building services, while integrating renewable energy sources for optimized, holistic solutions.

Graduates will have expert knowledge in designing and developing components and entire buildings that use significantly less energy than conventional designs. This applies to both new construction and existing buildings and covers both thermal and electrical energy use. The specialization includes work on building envelopes, technical systems, and equipment performance.

Career opportunities include roles in consulting firms and industrial companies producing materials, components, and equipment for energy-efficient buildings.

Polytechnic foundation courses (10 ECTS):

The following courses are mandatory: 

Students with advanced innovation competences may take one of the following courses as an alternative to 42500/42501/42504:

The following course can be taken as an alternative to the mandatory course 12100/12106/12105/12101:

Programme-specific courses (50 ECTS)

Structured into the following pools, each targeting a distinct area of competence:

Pools common to all specializations:

• Innovation II (5 ECTS):  Develops innovation and problem-solving skills to address real-world sustainable energy challenges.
• Core competence - Mandatory (15 ECTS):  Establishes a shared system-level understanding of sustainable energy systems, forming the common analytical foundation across all specialisations. 
• Core competence - Technology-specific (5 ECTS): Provides technical knowledge in a specific energy technology area, adding applied domain depth to the shared system-level foundation across all specialisations.

Specialization-specific pools:

• Specialization-specific - Digital skills (10 ECTS): Builds foundational and practical digital competencies relevant to energy systems across three skill areas: machine learning & statistical learning, mathematical modelling & optimization, and scientific programming & computational tools.
• Specialization-specific - Technical foundations (5 ECTS): Provides in-depth technical expertise on the physical components and energy-saving technologies that govern building performances.
• Specialization-specific - Core methodologies (10 ECTS): Provides the core competencies required to develop holistic solutions for building systems that integrate renewable energy generation and energy-efficient technologies.

* When a course is listed in multiple pools, it may be used to satisfy the requirements of one pool only.

Innovation II (5 ECTS)

Select one of the following courses:

Core competence - Mandatory (15 ECTS)

The following three courses are compulsory components of the programme:

Core competence - Technology-specific (5 ECTS)

Choose at least 5 ECTS from the following courses:

Specialization-specific - Digital skills (10 ECTS)

Choose at least 10 ECTS from the four thematic course groups defined below: 1) Machine learning & statistical learning, 2) Mathematical modelling & optimization, 3) Scientific programming & computational tools, 4) Applied digital skills in energy systems. You must take one course from at least two groups.

Specialization-specific - Technical foundations (5 ECTS)

Choose at least 5 ECTS among the following courses:

Specialization-specific - Core methodologies (10 ECTS)

The following two courses are mandatory for the specialization:

Elective courses (30 ECTS):

Any course classified as MSc-level in DTU’s course catalogue may be taken as an elective. This also includes programme-specific courses beyond the minimum requirements listed above. Master’s students may count up to 10 ECTS from DTU bachelor-level courses or equivalent courses from other higher education institutions. Additionally, MSc-level courses from other Danish or international universities can be included as electives.

In addition to the programme-specific courses mentioned above, the following elective courses are suggested for this specialization:

Master's thesis (30 ECTS):

The MSc thesis must be conducted within the area of the specialization. The project may be completed in collaboration with a relevant company.

Specializations are recommended pathways for selecting courses within the curriculum. Applicants are admitted to the programme and not to a specific specialization and may choose any courses within the curriculum according to the guidelines provided. However, if the requirements for a specialization are completed, the specialization title may be added to the diploma.