What is Energy Management?
Energy is defined as the ability of a body to do work. Energy is how things change and move; it is present in various forms such as heat, chemicals, light, and motion or gravitational.
Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, but it is just converted from one form to another. Energy management is the process of monitoring and optimizing energy consumption to conserve energy usage in a building. Energy managers perform audits to evaluate energy usage, cost, and efficiency.
The goal of energy management is to optimize processes for the best possible outcomes and conservation which includes planning related to the production of energy and its storage for future usage.
Energy management applies not only to large buildings and industrial facilities but even to small living units, like our kitchens or dining room. Whenever energy is consumed or is produced by fossil fuels, some amount of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming which is an undesirable phenomenon.
Efficient energy management is also a key component of Carbon Management or Net-Zero. Net-Zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Net-Zero is reached when the number of greenhouse gases we add is no more than the amount taken away.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Energy Management courses in the following subject areas:
- Energy Management Level 1 – The study of improving energy efficiency, efficient utilization of energy in industrial and commercial environments, and reducing carbon footprints.
- Certificate in Building Energy Management – Gain an understanding of low energy building design and management.
- Electrical Services & Energy Management – The study of monitoring, controlling, and conserving energy in a building or organization.
- Energy Management: Buildings – Gain a deeper understanding of skills with significant relevance to the green economy.
- Energy and Sustainability in Facilities Management – The study of the efficient and effective delivery of support services for the property and facilities management industry.
Studying Energy Management in college
Many Energy Management courses take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover all theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification.
Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a course in Energy Management you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of Energy and Energy Management.
As an energy manager, you’ll plan, regulate and monitor the energy use in an organization or facility. You will aim to improve efficiency by evaluating energy use and putting in place new policies and changes where needed. You’ll coordinate all aspects of energy management, from the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to waste management and sustainable development.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full-time, Monday to Friday. Flexi-time arrangements will sometimes be available and you may need to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend meetings and promotional events.
You can work part-time or on a consultancy basis. Career breaks are also possible, but if you take time off you would ideally keep up to date with changes in legislation and initiatives.
Depending on your position and the industry you choose, Energy Management can be an isolated job where you are working alone or you may work within a team. The dress code depends on the particular organization. It may be either smart casual or more formal business wear.
The role involves both office and fieldwork and travel may form a large part of the role, particularly if your organization has multiple sites.
Related jobs include:
- Environmental Consultant
- Energy Manager
- Energy Assessor
- Sustainability Manager
- Architects
- Chemical Equipment Operators
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Civil Engineers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Construction Managers
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
- Geologists
- Geoscientists
- Geographical Information Systems Mapping Technician
- Industrial Engineer
Further study
After completing a course in Energy Management you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as architecture, building, and construction or surveying, business studies, or engineering.
You may also be interested in specialist subjects that focus on energy and the environment in particular, for example, energy engineering, sustainable energy, and climate change.
FAQ
What skills should someone interested in a career in Energy Management have?
If you are interested in starting a career in Energy Management it is important to have good communication and negotiation skills to motivate colleagues and other professions to work towards a common goal. You should have an interest in project management skills and enthusiasm for energy management and renewable energy issues.
What are the key steps to put a successful energy management strategy in place?
· Appoint an energy manager
· Understand the issues
· Plan and organize
· Develop an action plan
· Involve your staff
· Control, monitor, and report
Where can I study Energy Management?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
· The first solar-powered satellite is still in orbit. Vanguard 1 was the first spacecraft to use solar cells, and it’s the oldest artificial satellite still in orbit around Earth.
· The standard unit of energy, or work, is the British Thermal Unit or BTU. It’s the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
· A typical microwave uses more electricity to keep its digital clock on standby than it does heating food.
· In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power electronics is consumed while the products are turned off (on standby).
· Renewable energy creates three times more jobs than the fossil fuel industry.
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