Environmental and energy geotechnics

The subject Environmental and Energy Geotechnics is interconnected on an interdisciplinary basis with environmental natural science issues and the use of geothermal energy through ground heat exchangers, including the use of foundation structures. The course provides students with a deeper understanding of innovative geotechnical practices with an emphasis on sustainability, renewable energy use and environmental protection. The course includes a synthesis of geotechnical knowledge in relation to its application to environmental protection and design, including the specification of the impacts of construction implementation and procedures for predicting and limiting human impact on the environment. By completing the course, the student will gain extended information in the areas of natural science disciplines (pollution and heat transfer in rock environment) including basic tools used in environmental engineering.
In the area of energy geotechnics, students will be introduced to the engineering design and sizing of systems for the exploitation of low-potential geothermal energy through borehole heat exchangers and foundation and earth structures.