Sustainable Energy and Building Technology
Program Overview
Society faces significant population growth challenges while we seek to decarbonize, adapt to climate change and manage resources in a more sustainable manner. Meeting these challenges means buildings, energy systems and infrastructure must evolve – yesterday’s solutions are being replaced by new approaches. Our Sustainable Energy and Building Technology advanced diploma program positions graduates with a portfolio of skills that are in high demand.
Our unique program prepares graduates to examine, model and improve the energy and environmental performance of existing buildings; to support the design, construction and operation of new, sustainable buildings being built to increasingly stringent performance standards; to implement renewable energy technologies; and to support new approaches to understanding and managing energy use and building resilience into campuses, neighbourhoods or entire cities. At one time we paid little attention to the cost, availability or environmental impact of energy use – today, these are issues of growing importance to individuals, business and government.
Semester 2 |
|---|
| SNRG 153: Electric Circuits 2 |
| SNRG 154: Building Systems |
| SNRG 155: Renewable Technologies |
| TMTH 205: Technical Mathematics 2 |
| WRIT 220: Technical Workplace Writing Skills |
Semester 4 |
|---|
| SNRG 250: Energy Auditing |
| SNRG 251: Principles of Management and Economics |
| SNRG 252: Energy Performance Simulation Software |
| SNRG 257: Computer-Aided Design 2 |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| GNED : General Elective |
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Perform a land site assessment to determine potential for renewable energy harvesting, optimum placement of wind, solar and earth energy technologies and building orientation for passive solar gain and protection from the elements.
Perform an energy needs analysis for residential or small-scale commercial or industrial structures, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, and identify building system components that save energy.
Perform an energy audit on residential, small-scale commercial and industrial buildings, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, to determine energy efficiency, problem areas and energy loss and advise on corrective actions.
Design and propose a grid-tied or off-grid renewable energy system for a residential or small-scale commercial or industrial structure, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, based on an energy needs analysis.
Adhere to legal, regulatory and health and safety codes and guidelines in sustainable energy and building technology practice.
Estimate the costs and time schedule of implementing a renewable energy/energy efficiency system, including annual running costs and return on investment.
Assist in land development, regulatory and stakeholder processes regarding the placement of renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies during the planning/approval phase.
Assist in the selection of heating, cooling, hot water and electrical systems and equipment during the building specification phase in a new structure or retrofit to ensure high energy efficiency.
Assist in the delivery, handling, installation and testing of renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies during the construction phase
Prepare a viable business plan for a new energy business venture.
Assist in the development of sales and marketing strategies for energy products and services.
Promote an integrated or whole building approach with clients, industry professionals and associations.
Work Placement
This program offers a co-op option. Co-op work terms enable you to apply your skills and knowledge in a work environment and gain valuable, practical experience related to your program of study. You will learn new skills, learn about the world of work and meet people in your profession.
For students who are accepted into the program, three co-op work terms will take place. Two four-month work terms occur consecutively after four semesters of study, and the third work term occurs between Semesters 5 and 6. There are limited spaces in the co-op option, therefore, during Semester 3, you will be provided information about the application process and will be able to apply to the co-op stream at that time. While co-op work opportunities are not guaranteed, as students are in a competitive job placement market, participating students will receive a wide range of services to help them find a co-op opportunity.
The Humber Experience
"The Sustainable Energy and Building Technology program’s breadth and depth is unique among the options I considered. This program was the only one I found to comprehensively cover both the concepts of sustainable building and urban development as well as the technical details and design tools of renewable energy generation, building science, and mechanical building systems". – Keith Davidge
The Humber Advantage
State-of-the-art Facilities
The Sustainable Energy and Building Technology Program provides a mix of theoretical and practical skills. Our labs are equipped with state-of-the-art hardware, software and equipment to give our students and graduates hands-on experience. Students in the program have access to Humber’s LEED Gold Centre for Urban Ecology, an opportunity to study a sustainable building in operation and understand the relationship between design, construction and operation. SEBT students perform data analysis of 4 PV systems to understand how system components, orientation and tracking affect system performance. First year SEBT students participate in a small wood frame construction project in our indoor construction lab. Students work in teams to build small buildings, then test their thermal and air tightness characteristics.
Your Career
Opportunities in the energy conservation and efficiency sector include energy auditing; energy modelling; energy management including building automation systems and managing mechanical systems; and building envelope retrofits. As new buildings are required to meet increasing stringent energy and environmental performance standards, graduates have opportunities to support the design, construction and operation of new buildings. Graduates of our program work in the renewable energy sector - supporting the design, construction and operation of solar energy systems. Emerging opportunities for employment exist supporting the creation of energy management plans and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction strategies for campuses, communities and entire cities.
Opportunities include:
- building automation technician
- business operator/entrepreneur
- energy auditor/analyst/manager/modeler
- government energy policy analyst
- project manager, energy performance
- sustainable building analyst
- sustainable building technologist
- sustainable energy project manager
- technical support specialist
Sustainable Energy and Building Technology Program
Watch the video to learn more about the Sustainable Energy and Building Technology program from students and faculty.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
DEWALT Partners With Humber to Support the Next Generation of Skilled Trades Professionals
Fri, March 24, 2023
We are truly grateful to DEWALT for their commitment to Humber College and the Centre for Skilled Trades & Technology.
Work-Integrated Learning Career Fairs
Fri, March 24, 2023
Our FAST Work-Integrated Learning team has been busy coordinating several WIL Career Fairs!
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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
