Energy conservation officer

Energy conservation officers promote the conservation of energy in both residential homes as in businesses. They advise people on ways te reduce their power consumption by enforcing energy efficiency improvements and implementing energy demand management policies.

The duties of an energy conservation officer include, but are not limited to:

• visiting local businesses, landlords, home owners and tenants as appropriate
• providing energy efficiency advice and training
• promoting energy conservation schemes (such as energy efficiency housing grants)
• liaising with contractors, local organisations, council services and voluntary/community groups
• developing, implementing and monitoring energy consumption reduction policies and strategies
• producing specifications, estimates, drawings, feasibility studies, tender documents and work schedules
• analysing data and collating information
• maintaining accurate records
• writing plans and reports
• attending regional meetings and events
• preparing and distributing publicity materials
• undertaking energy audits and site inspections
• keeping up to date with changes in legislation and initiatives, including EU energy performance directives
• promoting energy conservation awareness via events such as presentations, workshops and conservation projects.

The following job titles also refer to energy conservation officer:

energy information officer
energy management officer

To become an energy conservation officer it is usually necessary to possess an appropriate degree gained in a subject such as energy engineering, environmental health, environmental sciences/management, surveying or engineering. Relevant postgraduate qualification can be helpful, as can experience of initiating and managing projects and supervising others. Some positions require experience of working in energy management in a local authority, so this role isn’t always suitable for recent graduates.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Energy conservation officer is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to energy conservation officer.

energy analyst
energy assessor
energy consultant
domestic energy assessor
renewable energy sales representative

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of energy conservation officer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of energy conservation officer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

energy systems engineer
renewable energy consultant
energy manager
solar energy sales consultant
renewable energy engineer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of energy conservation officer.

• Solar energy: The energy which originates from light and heat from the sun, and which can be harnessed and used as a renewable source of energy using different technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV) for electricity production and solar thermal energy (STE) for thermal energy generation.
• Energy market: The trends and major driving factors in the energy trading market, energy trades methodologies and practice, and the identification of the major stakeholders in the energy sector.
• Energy: Power capacity in the form of mechanical, electrical, heat, potential, or other energy from chemical or physical resources, which can be used to drive a physical system.
• Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
• Energy efficiency: Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
• Renewable energy technologies: The different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increasing degree, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, photovoltaics, and concentrated solar power.

These skills are necessary for the role of energy conservation officer.

• Promote sustainable energy: Promote the use of renewable electricity and heat generation sources to organisations and individuals, in order to work towards a sustainable future and encourage sales of renewable energy equipment, such as solar power equipment.
• Analyse energy consumption: Evaluate and analyse the total amount of energy used by a company or an institution by assessing the needs linked to the operative processes and by identifying the causes of superfluous consumption.
• Teach energy principles: Instruct students in the theory and practice of energy, with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field, more specifically in maintenance and repair of energy plant processes and equipment.
• Advise on heating systems energy efficiency: Provide information and advice to clients on how to preserve an energy efficient heating system in their home or office and possible alternatives.
• Carry out energy management of facilities: Contribute to develop effective strategies for energy management and making sure that these are sustainable for buildings. Review buildings and facilities to identify where improvements can be made in energy efficiency.
• Identify energy needs: Identify the type and amount of energy supply necessary in a building or facility, in order to provide the most beneficial, sustainable, and cost-effective energy services for a consumer.
• Develop energy policy: Develop and maintain an organisation’s strategy regarding its energy performance.

3112 – Civil engineering technicians

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References

1. Energy conservation officer – ESCO
2. Energy conservation officer: job description – TargetJobs
3. Featured image: Image by bertholdbrodersen from Pixabay