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Unit 15 Principles of Alternative Energy (F/618/8094) Assignment Brief 2026

Posted: June 9, 2026/Under: Uncategorized/By:

Unit 15 Principles of Alternative Energy Assignment Brief

Qualification	Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Construction
Unit Number	15
Unit Title	Principles of Alternative Energy
Unit code	F/618/8094
Unit level	4
Credit value	15

Introduction

Buildings use about 40 per cent of global energy, 25 per cent of global water and 40 per cent of global resources in their construction and operation. Governments around the world have recognised the importance of tackling energy consumption in the built environment and have instituted legislation to address these issues. These resulting measures have often been supported by financial incentives to implement alternative energy systems and processes. They are also governed by rigorous targets and deadlines. Technologies that harness solar, wind and hydro energy are now established systems for generating power and heat. Along with other innovations, such as heat pumps and biofuel, these sustainable energy systems are often incorporated into the design of new construction projects.

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ knowledge of current and future energy technologies and to be able to apply that knowledge to the analysis and assessment of their effectiveness. Students will also apply their knowledge and research to a design activity.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to research and design alternative energy systems and assess new technologies available to the construction industry.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

LO1 Examine the different contexts that inform discussions on environmental sustainability

LO2 Discuss types of alternative energy systems and how they support sustainability

LO3 Explain the factors that inform the selection of a renewable energy system in relation to a specific installation

LO4 Present a strategy for a cost- effective upgrade to an existing building, utilising an appropriate form of alternative energy.

Essential Content

LO1 Examine the different contexts that inform discussions on environmental sustainability

Definitions of sustainability
Environmental sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Cultural sustainability
Environmental context
Effects of CO2 emissions
Greenhouse effect
Waste products and management
Health issues
Impact of construction industry on the environment
Resource context
Non- renewable resources (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear fuels)
Renewable resources (e.g., wind, solar, biomass)
Environmental cost of renewables (e.g., manufacture, transportation, installation)
Political context
Global agreements (e.g., Kyoto Agreement, Paris Accord)
National/regional targets
Carbon offset and carbon trading

LO2 Discuss types of alternative energy systems and how they support sustainability

Renewables
Solar (e.g., solar heating/hot water, photovoltaic systems)
Wind (e.g., wind turbines, windfarms (offshore, onshore), small- scale generation)
Hydro- electrical systems
Geothermal
Wave/tidal power
Biomass (e.g., biofuel, biogas)
Conservation
Combined heat and power (CHP)
Heat pumps
Heat exchangers
Carbon- neutral fuels (e.g., microalgae)
Energy storage
Advances
Robotics (e.g., used for installation, maintenance)
Optical furnaces (used to produce solar cells)
Improved storage (e.g., liquid metal batteries, hydrogen cell)
Solar systems (e.g., sun- tracking solar cells, solar energy harvesting from space, molten salt solar power)

LO3 Explain the factors that inform the selection of a renewable energy system in relation to a specific installation

Environmental factors
Effects of weather, light availability and quality
Presence of natural resources needed to drive the system
Political factors
Government targets/policies
Regulatory requirements/obstacles
Social factors
Aesthetics
Neighbours
Conservation
Technical and design factors
Client requirements
Building structure (e.g., Can building support proposed systems?)
Access
Required power output (e.g., electrical, heating, ventilation, cooling)
Regulatory requirements (e.g., planning restrictions, building regulations)
Cost factors
Tariffs and tariff calculations
Installation costs
Cumulative savings
Safety factors
Health and safety regulations
Safety factors in energy generation
Safety factors in energy storage

LO4 Present a strategy for a cost- effective upgrade to an existing building, utilising an appropriate form of alternative energy

Project characteristics
Building use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial)
Scale
Energy requirements. (e.g., electrical load, heating requirements, ventilation requirements, cooling load)
Client requirements
Budget
Proposed building use
Strategy
System specification (e.g., energy production type, equipment required)
Installation method and requirements (e.g., method statement, health and safety plan, structural requirements, construction requirements, cost estimate)
Monitoring (e.g., monitoring equipment, energy production, energy use, cost)

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass	Merit	Distinction
LO1 Examine the different contexts that inform discussions on environmental sustainability		D1 Evaluate how different forms of alternative energy systems contribute to achieving a more sustainable construction industry.
P1 Discuss the relationship between different forms of sustainability. P2 Describe the ways that the construction industry impacts on the environment.	M1 Assess the political context for sustainability and how the construction industry may contribute to achieving local/regional/global targets.
LO2 Discuss types of alternative energy systems and how they support sustainability
P3 Explore the different types of energy systems available and their role in sustainable solutions. P4 Describe advances in renewable energy technology.	M2 Assess the impact of advances in renewable energy to improve efficiency, performance and sustainability.
LO3 Explain the factors that inform the selection of a renewable energy system in relation to a specific installation		D2 Evaluate how an alternative energy strategy meets client needs and addresses environmental, political and social factors.
P5 Review an existing renewable energy installation for a non-domestic building. P6 Explain the factors that inform the choice of selected system for the given installation.	M3 Analyse how a different renewable energy system would impact on the given project.
LO4 Present a strategy for a cost-effective upgrade to an existing building, utilising an appropriate form of alternative energy
P7 Select an appropriate renewable energy system for an existing building. P8 Present a strategy for an existing building to integrate a form of alternative energy.	M4 Justify design decisions based on external, cost and design factors.

Recommended Resources

Print resources

ARMSTRONG, J. (2021), The Future of Energy: The 2021 Guide to the Energy Transition – Renewable Energy, Energy Technology, Sustainability, Hydrogen and More, Energy Technology Publishing
DUFFY, A., ROGERS, M., AYOMPE, L. (2015), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, John Wiley & Sons
GRINNELL, S. (2015), Renewable Energy & Sustainable Design, Cengage Learning
JELLEY, N. (2020), Renewable Energy: a Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, USA
TWIDELL, J., WEIR, T. (2015), Renewable Energy Resources, Routledge
USHER, B. (2019), Renewable Energy, Columbia University Press

Unit 15 Principles of Alternative Energy (F/618/8094) Assignment Brief 2026