The rise of the ENERGY MANAGER

What is an Energy Manager? The role of Energy Manager is a growth area in many organisations. With limited resources impacting upon the world, as well as escalating costs of energy, many companies understand that controlling energy use is vital. An Energy Manager is usually employed within an organisation to help monitor and reduce energy usage. As well as understanding where and how energy is used it’s also part of their role to highlight energy reduction across the business, projects and sites.

In the first instance, a company’s carbon footprint is highly important. As well as ethically being the right thing to do, reducing carbon output will also help to maintain good community and corporate relations, in a world where such activity is under scrutiny. Reducing energy consumption across the business will of course also impact upon costs.

Organisations who have facilities which all use significant amounts of energy often hire Energy Managers. Typical examples might be within hospitals, universities, supermarket chains, local authorities, manufacturers and large energy companies themselves. Even small to medium enterprises with their premises would potentially consider utilising Energy Managers or Consultants to deliver cost saving advice.

There are no specific education requirements for a career in energy management. However, a keen understanding of energy and a background in electrical, mechanical, thermal (or) chemical engineering may be useful. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is conducting National Certification Examination for Energy Managers (EM) and Energy Auditors (EA) since 2004.

1. Monitoring energy usage across the organisation.
2. Setting targets for energy reduction.
3. Undertake energy audits across an estate.
4. Prepare reports summarising energy usage.
5. Create training guides for company managers regarding energy consumption.
6. Deliver 1:1 and group training workshops.
7. Keep up to date with changes in energy regulation.
8. Liaise with Operations Director to deliver performance updates.
9. Report good news stories for external and internal communications.
10. Keep up to date with industry-standard best practices.

1. Numerical and Analytical
2. Communication
3. Influencing
4. Change Management
5. Presentation
6. Coaching
7. IT and reporting
8. Project Management

The daily rigours of the energy manager can be tough. Some challenges might include:

1. Persuading staff the importance of reducing energy consumption
2. Keeping up to date with changes in the regulatory landscape
3. Managing to reduce energy consumption with minimal budget
4. The changing price of energy supplies and understanding the impact on the business
5. Maintaining up to date and adequate records in the face of other pressures

An example of a typical project for an energy manager would be to implement an energy monitoring system and set energy usage targets. These days monitoring systems are often digital and can be easily accessed by a wide range of stakeholders which is great news for transparency in the business. By running a training programme in tandem such a project, this would help staff to see quite clearly how their energy use would help the business.

ISO-50001 helps organisation in implement Energy Management system.