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University of Cape Town: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Learn to evaluate and implement energy-saving strategies in industrial, commercial, and large-scale residential settings.

Learn to evaluate and implement energy-saving strategies in industrial, commercial, and large-scale residential settings.

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This course is offered by , an edX partner
8 weeks
8–10 hours per week
Starts Feb 10, 2025
Enroll by Feb 16, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

8 weeks
8–10 hours per week
Starts Feb 10, 2025
Enroll by Feb 16, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

About this Course

The sustainable use of energy in buildings has become an imperative — it’s key not just to tackling climate change, but to improving the performance of facilities and the competitiveness of businesses too. Consequently, it’s important that anyone involved in the construction, manufacturing, energy, and oil and transport industries today is well-versed in the field of energy efficiency.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Energy Efficiency and Sustainability online short course offers a holistic overview of the energy efficiency landscape and the economics of this field. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll explore the latest developments and regulations in the energy industry, and investigate energy use in commercial and industrial contexts. You’ll also learn how to verify energy savings using industry-accepted techniques, examine how to assess the financial viability of energy-efficiency projects, and build a strong business case for interventions.

This course, which is certified by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for CPD points, is suited to practicing and consulting engineers, facility managers, architects, building designers, energy managers, energy auditors, manufacturing professionals, and environmental consultants. In essence, it’s designed for all professionals looking to learn how to identify energy conservation opportunities to promote efficiency in buildings and businesses. Additionally, professionals will gain the knowledge needed to specialize their business offerings and take advantage of this increasingly important trend. As students will be asked to apply formulas and perform calculations, basic competence in mathematics is required in order to complete this course.

This course is approved by the University of Cape Town and is validated by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for CPD credits. The course has an estimated 80 hours of learning and South African engineering professionals can earn up to eight CPD credits.*

International students need to consult their national professional engineering bodies to check whether this course is recognized for points towards maintaining professional status.

*Should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon you. The University of Cape Town and GetSmarter accept no responsibility. If you would like to claim validation or points, use the ECSA validation number UCTGSEES23.

Course curriculum

Skip Course curriculum

Familiarize yourself with energy-efficient technologies as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Introduction to energy efficiency: Importance, strategies, and challenges

Module 2: Energy metrics, economics, and the business case for energy efficiency

Module 3: Energy-efficient and sustainable buildings: General considerations and regulations

Module 4: Energy-efficiency management and technologies in buildings

Module 5: Energy-efficiency management and technologies in the industrial sector

Module 6: Energy auditing

Module 7: Measurement and verification

Module 8: Energy management systems

About the certificate

Deepen your understanding of energy efficiency and sustainability by exploring best practices and industry standards and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

Some facts about the subject

R338 billion

The total economic loss in South Africa over the past ten years due to loadshedding.

CSIR (Jan, 2020).

50%

The proportion of construction and property decision makers who have experienced operational savings of between 1% and 10% in sustainable buildings.

Ramboll (2019).

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.