INTELIGENT USE OF ENERGY IN ENGINEEERING EDUCATION

Abstract. The concept „sustainable development ” has become important in connection with alternative energy resources, current problems of environmental protection and the security of resources. People who are not directly involved believe that these issues do not concern them. With the purpose of raising awareness of the problem, it is important to integrate it in the education, particularly engineering education. The process of “saving the world ” should be started with looking at ourselves. People’s behavior and habits have caused extensive energy consumption. The main reasons are, firstly, the lack of the knowledge of effective energy saving measures, and, secondly, people are not willing to change their habits. The authors of the paper carried out the research regarding the Latvia University of Agriculture engineering students ’ basic knowledge of the renewable and non-renewable energy resources, effective energy use in the transport, industry and building, and energy saving measures. In order to encourage youngsters to change their habits regarding saving energy, it is advisable to involve students in various research projects on energy use at the university and at home, reflecting the findings in the term papers, research projects as well as in the presentations of “C ” part study courses