Do you have an interest in energy conservation and consumption? Do you want to take your place in the energy industry while helping the environment?
Breaking into energy management as a first career or as a career switch isn’t difficult to do. It just requires some education, experience, and, most importantly, a willingness to learn how energy management can positively impact businesses and the environment.
What Is Energy Management?
Energy management is a term used to describe a professional seeking to make the most out of the supply and demand of energy their organization uses. It focuses on the market the organization places on the energy grid.
Simply put, people employed as energy managers aim to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
While primarily focusing on energy, they can relate it to various skill sets. Many energy managers work with various topics, and some specialize in areas like strategy and engagement, financials, project management, or policy development.
Why Is Energy Management Important?
The importance of energy management is two-fold: it reduces the cost of energy for a business and the amount of non-renewable energy consumed, which helps reduce the impact on the environment and sustainability.
Effectively managing energy consumption is one of the most critical steps to a sustainable future. Any additional waste that can be minimized can make a massive impact for businesses with large carbon footprints that consume large amounts of energy.
Energy managers play an integral role in energy management by facilitating energy conservation. They identify where the energy is being used, monitor usage, and provide energy-saving options.
Growth of the Energy Management Market
This energy sector is increasing as governments and businesses face more pressure to reduce energy and use sustainable sources.
The energy management market is set to reach $3 billion in 2024, with a projected growth of 10.54% by 2029 or $5 billion. It doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, creating many new jobs.
Additional Job Titles
While energy manager was the main job title for this role years ago, job titles for the role have diversified as the market grows and have come to include:
- Energy Manager
- Energy Analyst
- Energy Engineer
- Energy Specialist
- Energy Consultant
- Energy Technologist
Every business employing an energy manager will change the job title to reflect the additional responsibilities and niches the employees will take on.
Skills to Be Successful
If a career in energy management interests you, there are key skills related to the profession you should consider, whether you plan to return to school or just switch employers.
The skills fall into three broad categories: communication, strategy, and management.
- Strong communication skills, including with stakeholders
- Strategic planning and analytical skills
- Knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems such as HVAC, electrical, and lighting
- Strong technical writing skills
- Project planning
- Math skills, including the ability to calculate energy rates
- Teamwork and leadership skills
- Accounting for Carbon and Greenhouse emissions
Additional skills relating to your specific role in the company will also be required.
Build Your Foundation
The foundation of a role in energy management is education, experience, and networking.
Education
Applicants typically undergo a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, business, or a related field like environmental sciences, earth science, or technology. There are also two-year energy management degrees at community colleges.
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) also offers an energy manager in training (EMIT) certification. It requires attending a Certified Energy Management (CEM) preparatory course and being certified that you are working towards a full degree. Having EMIT allows you to work in training until your full CEM is passed.
You may also want a Master’s in energy systems and sustainability or grid sciences. This can allow you to focus on a specific area, like energy economics or energy storage, that you can bring to a new employer.
Experience
As a recent graduate, you should find an internship or related entry-level role to gain hands-on experience and help put into practice what you learned in college and translate it into business energy management practices.
It also gives you opportunities to find a mentor who has been in the industry for a while and can help you navigate the industry.
At first, look for job openings with titles such as junior energy manager, environmental or energy auditor, or sustainability analyst.
While you are getting your education or afterward, you can also find volunteer opportunities to gain experience by working with nonprofit organizations that promote energy conservation and green initiatives. Any practical experience working with energy conservation and renewable energy can benefit your future career.
Networking
Whether you start in a related field and work up to energy management or graduate from post-secondary education and go directly into an entry-level position, networking is very important.
Professionals in the energy industry often hold events and conferences to discuss what is currently happening and the latest research that impacts their jobs.
In addition to having a lot of vital information, these networking events can also help you find a mentor, solve problems, find the right fit, and get job opportunities that haven’t been posted yet or are being held for within the industry first.
Online platforms like LinkedIn can offer an alternative to conferences where professionals post about research and industry trends, and you can interact with them and discuss topics.
Pick a Specialization
Also known as picking a niche, the diversity of energy management as a field means plenty of opportunities for professionals to specialize.
A niche showcases what you know best, who your clients are, and how it will benefit them. You can begin to develop it when you’re still at university and getting your bachelor’s degree. Knowing your niche can also help you determine what type of jobs to take after graduation.
1. Who is your target audience?
This question can be answered by who needs your services. You can offer energy management skills to non-profit organizations or small organizations that want to reduce their carbon footprint even more.
Look at large businesses in construction or manufacturing that need assistance in meeting regulatory compliance or optimizing their energy consumption.
By picking one target audience, you can focus on solving their problems rather than all problems.
2. What are your skills and experience?
With a target audience in mind, assess your skills and experience or, if you’re still in university or college, assess what skills and knowledge you want to learn.
Note all your skills and experience and bring them to a job offer to demonstrate you know exactly what they need and can provide it.
3. Where is the demand?
Learn about the industry and see what sectors are growing quickly and need energy management services.
If you’re looking for an entry-level position, knowing what other businesses pay can help you price your services appropriately for what you’re worth.
4. Test your niche
Lastly, it’s time to test your niche to see if you have a viable and profitable idea. When you ask for feedback from your target audience and potential clients, are you getting back what you hoped you would?
They should see you as an expert on your topic and want to go to you when they have questions or problems about your area of expertise.
If you choose self-employment, this feedback can come from marketing strategies like keyword research and local or international advertising.
Certifications
Obtaining professional certifications and licensing can not only help you get a job but could help you enter into the industry with a higher salary.
The most common certifications are:
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM) – the most common certification- is the profession’s gold standard. Workplaces may have a policy about having a certain number of CEMs on staff for energy management.
- Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) – Certified to use the concepts of measurement and verification to determine how much energy is being used by an energy-consuming system.
- Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – A professional proficient in LEED sustainable design and operations standards. LEED use a green building rating system that allows green businesses to claim environmental and governmental benefits.
- Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP) – They demonstrated they understand how energy systems affect business operations and profitability. They can compare projects and decide which project to move forward with based on energy efficiency.
While some of these certifications can be earned before taking a job, many benefit from having a place of employment to practice what you have learned.
Conclusion
Becoming an energy manager can be a great career choice with a wide range of education options and the opportunity to carve out your niche in the industry. It’s also an essential role in sustainability.
It will become even more critical as more businesses must care for the environment to remain competitive.
Of course, that’s not the only energy job that positively impacts the environment; check out this blog all about decarbonization.
