MSc in Energy Building Design

Who can apply

To be considered for the programme, candidates are required to have:

• an undergraduate degree from a recognized University (University graduates of Engineering, Geotechnical and Natural Sciences departments)
• English language knowledge documented with a relevant certificate, corresponding at least to the State Certificate of Language Learning Level C1 or other certificate proving good knowledge of English. Holders of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a Foreign University in English are exempt from this obligation.

Course content

During the first term, students are required to follow five mandatory core courses. During the second term, students are required to follow three mandatory core courses tailoring their programme further by two elective courses. Finally, in the third semester, work is dedicated exclusively to the Master’s dissertation. The Master’s dissertation provides a good opportunity to apply theory and concepts learned during the year to a real-world problem or challenge.

The core courses

1^st Term Core Courses

• Quantitative Methods
• Energy Design for Buildings
• Project Finance
• Project Management
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

2^nd Term Core Courses

• Efficient Refurbishment of Buildings
• Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems
• Building Energy Performance Simulation and Analysis

The elective courses

During the second term students tailor their programme further by choosing elective courses. The choice of elective courses must sum up to 12 ECTS (2 courses). Some of the elective courses may not be offered in a particular year, depending entirely on student demand. 2^nd Term Elective Courses

• Energy and Environmental Law
• Environmental Hazard Management^NEW
• Energy Transmission and Storage
• Forecasting Methods
• Green Design and Planning for Hot Climates
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Modelling and Simulation of Building Integrated Solar Energy Systems
• Smart Cities

The Dissertation

During the third semester, students work on their Master’s Dissertation project, the thematic area of which is relevant to their programme of studies and their interests. The dissertation provides a good opportunity to apply theory and concepts learned in different courses to a real-world energy-related problem or challenge. Students are supervised throughout their projects by a member of the academic faculty and the academic assistants. After submission of the dissertation, students present their projects to classmates and faculty at a special event. In collaboration with our academic associates and their supervisors, a number of students in the past have managed to succeed in publishing their dissertation projects in peer-reviewed journals or presenting them at international conferences. An indicative list of student publications includes:

• G. Martinopoulos, G. Tsalikis, (2018) «Diffusion and adoption of solar energy conversion systems – The case of Greece», Energy, Volume 144, Pages 800-807
• C. Andreadou, G. Martinopoulos, (2018) «CAPE-OPEN simulation of waste-to-energy technologies for urban cities», International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 37(1), pp. 96-104
• N. Apergis, G. Vouzavalis, (2018), Asymmetric pass through of oil prices to gasoline prices: Evidence from a new country sample, Energy Policy,Volume 114,Pages 519-528
• S. C. Akcaoğlu, G. Martinopoulos, and C. Zafer, (2017) «Experimental Analysis of the Potential Induced Degradation Effect on Organic Solar Cells», International Journal of Photoenergy
• C. Antoniadis, G. Martinopoulos, (2017) «Simulation of Solar Thermal Systems with Seasonal Storage Operation for Residential Scale Applications», In Procedia Environmental Sciences, Volume 38, 2017, pp. 405-412
• C. Antoniadis, G. Martinopoulos, (2017) «Optimization of a Building Integrated Solar Thermal System with Seasonal Storage», 1st International Conference on Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems, Dublin
• P. Bampou, (2017). Green buildings for Egypt: a call for an integrated policy. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 36(10), 994-1009.
• Ziogou, I., Zachariadis, T., (2017) “Quantifying the water–energy nexus in Greece”, International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 36 (10), pp. 972-982.
• A. Zachopoulos, E. Heracleous, (2017), “Overcoming the equilibrium barriers of CO2 hydrogenation to methanol via water sorption: A thermodynamic analysis”, Journal of CO2 Utilization, Volume 21, Pages 360-367
• E. Kontopoulos, G. Martinopoulos, D. Lazarou, N. Bassiliades, (2016) «An ontology-based decision support tool for optimizing domestic solar hot water system selection», Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, pp. 4636-4646
• Anastaselos D.A., Oxizidis S., Manoudis A., Papadopoulos A.M. (2016), Environmental performance of energy systems of residential buildings: towards Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Cities and Society, 20, 96-108.
• K. Rossios, K. Sardi, G. Martinopoulos, (2015) «Numerical Simulation of LNG Evaporation Inside Semi-Trailer Trucks Used For the Transportation of LNG to Small Scale Terminals and Refueling Stations: Parameters and Implications», 8th GRACM International Congress on Computational Mechanics, Greece.
• Ipsakis D., Kraia T., Fylaki P., Ouzounidou M., Papadopoulou S., Voutetakis S. and Marnellos G., “Design and feasibility study of an integrated process for the exploitation of H2S from the Black Sea for energy and H2SO4 production”, Proceedings of the 10th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, Patra, 4-6/6/2015
• Ziogou I. and Zachariadis T., Quantifying the Water-energy Nexus in Greece, Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology Rhodes, Greece, 3-5 September 2015
• Dogan K., Martinopoulos G., “Blade Element Momentum Theory and CFD modeling as a tool for optimizing wind turbine blade design” World Renewable Energy Congress WREC XIII, London, 2014.
• D. Dimitriadis, D. Missirlis, G. Martinopoulos, “Investigation of the performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine with the use of blade element momentum theory and CFD computations”, European Wind Energy Association Conference 2014 – Barcelona
• G. Martinopoulos, G.Tsalikis, “Active solar heating systems for energy efficient buildings in Greece: A technical economic and environmental evaluation”, Energy and Buildings, Volume 68, Part A, January 2014, Pages 130-137.
• Anastasiou F. and Martinopoulos G., “Solar Air Conditioning Systems As A Step Towards Nearly Net Zero Energy Buildings”, 10th Conference on Renewable Energy Sources, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2014 (In Greek)
• Martinopoulos G. and Tsalikis G. (2014) “Active Solar Heating Systems for Energy Efficient Buildings in Greece: A Technical Economic and Environmental Evaluation”, Energy and Buildings, Vol. 68, Part A, p. 130-137.
• Bitos C. and Kiartzis S., “Energy Demand Analysis and Energy Saving Potentials in the Greek Road Transport Sector”, 7th International Scientific Conference on Energy and Climate Change, Athens, 2014
• Kanellakis M., G. Martinopoulos and T. Zachariadis (2013). European Energy Policy–A Review. Energy Policy, Vol. 62, p. 1020-1030
• Charalampous, G. & Madlener, R. (2013). “Risk Management and Portfolio Optimization for Gas- and Coal-fired Power Plants in Germany: A Multivariate GARCH Approach,” FCN Working Papers 23/2013, E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN).
• Charalampous, G. & Madlener, R. (2013). “Risk Management and Portfolio Optimization for Gas- and Coal-fired Power Plants in Germany: A Multivariate GARCH Approach,” Proceedings of 14th IAEE European Energy Conference, Rome, Italy.
• Τ. Dergiades, R. Madlener, and G. Christofidou, “The Nexus between Natural Gas Spot and Futures Prices at NYMEX: Do Weather Shocks and Non-Linear Causality in Low Frequencies Matter?,” FCN Working Papers 17/2012, E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN)

Duration of studies

The MSc in Energy Building Design (full-time) is a 18-month programme taught over three terms. Lectures mainly take place on weekday evenings. The MSc in Energy Systems programme is also available in part-time mode over 30 months for those who cannot commit to a full-time programme either for work or other reasons.

The Academic Faculty

Faculty Members

	Dr Christos Tjortjis Associate Professor Dean of the School +30 2310 807576 c.tjortjis@ihu.edu.gr
	Professor Maria Drakaki Deputy Dean of the School +30 2310 807524 mdrakaki@ihu.gr
	Professor Panayiotis Bozanis +30 2310 807501 pbozanis@ihu.gr
	Dr Eleni Heracleous Associate Professor e.heracleous@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Vassilios Peristeras Associate Professor +30 2310 807539 v.peristeras@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Dimitrios Tzetzis Associate Professor +30 2310 807548 d.tzetzis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Spiros Papakostas Assistant Professor spapakostas@ihu.edu.gr

Other Research and Teaching Personnel

	Dr Christos Berberidis Research and Teaching Staff +30 2310 807534 c.berberidis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Dimitrios Baltatzis Research and Teaching Staff d.baltatzis@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Georgios Martinopoulos Academic Associate +30 2310 807533 g.martinopoulos@ihu.edu.gr
	Dr Leonidas Akritidis Academic Associate
	Dr Dimitrios Karapiperis Academic Associate
	Dr Paraskevas Koukaras Academic Associate
	Dr Nikolaos Serketzis Academic Associate
	Dr Katerina Tzafilkou Academic Associate

Visiting Faculty

Labs

Students make extensive use of our recently set up Energy Lab. Facilities include a brand new computer-controlled Photovoltaic system, a computer-controlled Solar Thermal system, a computer controlled PEM Fuel cell, a computer controlled stirling engine, a 15kW organic Rankine cycle, a wind tunnel as well as an IR camera and environmental meters that students use during their studies and dissertation research.

Fees & Financing

Fees

The programme fees for the MSc in Energy Building Design for the 2023-24 academic year is 2600€^*. The amount is payable in two instalments for the full time mode or in four instalments for the part time mode at the beginning of each semester. The fees are also eligible for financing through LAEK 0,45% – OAED programme.

^{*For the 2023-24 academic year a tuition fee reduction of 1400€ will be provided to all accepted students.}

Deposits

If you have been accepted to a postgraduate programme, you will need to make a payment of the deposit of 500 Euros to secure your place. This amount will count towards the first instalment of your tuition fees. The deposit is non-refundable once you have commenced your studies at the IHU. Prior to that, a refund can be made but a 20% administrative fee will be retained. The deposit can be paid by bank transfer or bank draft. Credit card payments can be made through electronic banking (contact your Bank as handling fees may apply).

Scholarships

The School of Science & Technology offers a number of scholarships for the programmes it offers, covering a significant proportion of the fees. These scholarships are competitive. Award criteria include the quality of the first degree, the undergraduate grades of the candidate, his/her command of the English language and overall profile. Candidates for scholarships should include a separate letter with their application documents in which they request to be considered for a scholarship, stating the reasons why they think they qualify.

Programme announcement – Admissions

Next MSc in Energy Building Design class starts in October 2023. Interested parties are invited to submit their application by 16 October 2023,  or until places are filled, by following instructions at the application page.

Programme announcement: ENG | GR

Ideal Career path

There is a considerable focus on addressing low carbon energy building and building integrated renewable energy technologies and graduates of this program can expect to be highly sought after by employers. The following indicative employment opportunities are available to our graduates after the completion of the MSc in Energy Building Design:

• Senior technical positions in the construction/renovation sector
• Managerial positions in the booming Renewable Energy sector as well as Utilities management
• With Government policymaking

In addition to technical skills gained through study, our students benefit from the University’s excellent Careers Office in order to attain essential Soft Skills (e.g. communication skills, interview preparation, CV writing etc.) to better prepare for the job market.

Location

The MSc in Energy Building Design takes place in the facilities of the School of Science & Technology of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies of the International Hellenic University in Thermi-Thessaloniki.

Contact

Postal address: School of Science & Technology Department of School of Science & Technology University Center of International Programmes of Studies 14th km Thessaloniki – Nea Moudania 570 01 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece Tel: +30 2310 807 529 Email: : infotech@ihu.edu.gr