The development of advanced competencies in energy engineering is essential to address challenges related to sustainability and efficiency. The course "Thermodynamics of Energy Systems for Sustainability: 4E Techniques," part of the Master’s in Energy Engineering at the ETSII of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), aims to train students in analyzing and optimizing energy systems using a methodology that integrates energy, exergy, economics, and environmental sustainability (4E Techniques). This approach enables the evaluation and design of systems that balance these four dimensions, a crucial skill for engineers.

The course employs Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a methodology that places students at the center of the learning process. Instead of relying exclusively on master-classes, students engage in real-world energy problems, building applied and practical skills. This change responds to the need for an active educational approach that fosters not only theoretical understanding but also critical professional skills.

The curriculum spans 14 weeks, with two-hour weekly sessions. After an initial theoretical introduction covering basic exergy concepts and thermodynamic cycles, students tackle problems that integrate thermodynamic and economic analysis, gradually advancing to autonomous work with sustainability criteria. Through PBL, students develop the ability to solve complex problems, integrate technical, environmental, and economic aspects, and design sustainable energy systems.

This practical methodology boosts students’ motivation, as they recognize the direct applicability of their knowledge. Although theoretical depth is somewhat reduced, the balanced focus between theory and practice provides a comprehensive, applicable understanding that better prepares students to address energy challenges in a transforming world.

Keywords: Education, Energy efficiency, Exergy, Economics, and Environmental Sustainability.