Low Carbon Active Buildings

Course Overview

The Low Carbon Active Buildings course explores innovative approaches to designing and operating buildings that generate, store and manage their own renewable energy. These buildings help form a foundation for a sustainable, net zero future – reducing emissions, supporting energy networks and improving environmental resilience.

As governments strive to meet ambitious climate targets, such as Wales’ commitment to net zero by 2050, Active Buildings offer practical, scalable solutions that integrate renewable energy, smart technologies and innovative design principles.

This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to understand the technical, economic, environmental and social dimensions of these transformative building solutions.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for:

• Built environment professionals (architects, engineers, planners, sustainability specialists)
• Policy makers and local authority officers
• Facilities and energy managers
• Students, researchers and anyone interested in sustainable building design and energy systems.

No prior technical background is required, although familiarity with sustainability and general building concepts will be beneficial.

.What You’ll Learn

 By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand and explain the principles of renewable energy generation and how they apply to buildings.
• Compare different technologies used to generate, store and release energy in the built environment.
• Analyse and evaluate key design principles of Low Carbon Active Buildings, using real-world case studies.
• Assess economic and policy frameworks relevant to decarbonising the built environment.
• Examine the social and environmental impacts of low carbon building strategies.
• Understand the role of data monitoring and digital tools in performance management.
• Explore emerging innovations shaping the future of Active Buildings.

Course Programme

The course is structured into three core sections:

Section 1 – Introduction & Renewable Energy

• Understanding the climate emergency, net zero targets and Active Buildings
• Principles of renewable energy generation
• Renewable energy technologies and integration in buildings
• Energy storage strategies

Section 2 – Design of Low Carbon Active Buildings

Six core design principles:

• Building fabric and passive design
• Energy efficient systems
• On-site renewable generation
• Energy storage
• Electric vehicle integration
• Integration with energy networks
  • Real-world case studies including the Active Classroom, Active Office and retrofit demonstrators from SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre

Section 3 – Active Buildings and Beyond

• Economics and policy landscape
• Social and environmental impacts, lifecycle and carbon considerations
• Data monitoring and Building Performance Evaluation (BPE)
• Future trends, innovations and the Active Buildings Toolkit 

Key Benefits

• Gain practical, applicable knowledge to support decarbonisation in the built environment
• Understand how energy systems and buildings interact
• Learn from pioneering demonstrator projects in Wales and beyond
• Build confidence in navigating future regulations, standards and new technologies

Course Delivery

The course is conveniently delivered through Swansea University’s Learning Management System, Canvas, providing a seamless online learning experience. The course can take up to 12 weeks, requiring participants to dedicate approximately 2-3 hours per week to complete it. This structure allows for a manageable yet comprehensive exploration of Low Carbon Active Buildings.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in three progressive assessment quizzes, complemented by a comprehensive final written assessment that culminates their learning journey. All assessments are conveniently submitted through the secure and user-friendly platform, Canvas.

To ensure a supportive and enriching learning environment, expert guidance and assistance are readily available from our project lecturers and dedicated learning technologists. These experienced professionals can be easily reached through Canvas or via email.

How to Apply

To register your interest or find out more, please visit our Register Now section or contact: Email: fse-netzero@swansea.ac.uk
Upcoming dates: October 2025 enrolments now open