Energy manager

Energy managers coordinate the energy use in an organisation, and aim to implement policies for increased sustainability, and minimisation of cost and environmental impact. They monitor the energy demands
and use, and develop improvement strategies, as well as researching the most beneficial source of energy for the organisation’s needs.

The following job titles also refer to energy manager:

environmental sustainability manager
energy and sustainability manager
energy demand forecasting manager
environmental compliance manager
smart energy specialist
green policy manager
energy policy manager
energy monitoring manager
energy procurement manager

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as energy manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

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 manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

power plant manager
facilities manager
sewerage systems manager
water treatment plant manager
manufacturing facility manager

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

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

Electricity consumption: The different factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of electricity consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which electricity consumption can be lowered or made more efficient.
Manufacturing processes: The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
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.
Electrical power safety regulations: The compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as the appropriate safety gear, equipment handling procedures, and preventive actions.
Corporate social responsibility: The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.
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.

These skills are necessary for the role of energy manager.

Manage supplies: Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with demand of production and customer.
Compose energy performance contracts: Prepare and review contracts that describe the energy performance while making sure they comply with legal requirements.
Conduct energy audit: Analyse and evaluate the energy consumption in a systematic manner in order to improve the energy performance.
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.
Advise on utility consumption: Advise individuals or organisations on methods in which they can reduce their consumption of utilities, such as heat, water, gas, and electricity, in order for them to save money and incorporate sustainable practices.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
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.
Strive for company growth: Develop strategies and plans aiming at achieving a sustained company growth, be the company self-owned or somebody else’s. Strive with actions to increase revenues and positive cash flows.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Create manufacturing guidelines: Draft procedures and guidelines to ensure that government and industry regulations are met by manufacturers in both international and domestic markets.
Define manufacturing quality criteria: Define and describe the criteria by which data quality is measured for manufacturing purposes, such as international standards and manufacturing regulations.
Establish daily priorities: Establish daily priorities for staff personnel. Effectively deal with multi-task workload.

Promote sustainable management: Contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input in environmental impact assessments.
Develop staff: Lead employees to meet the organisations expectations for productivity, quality and goal accomplishment. Provide effective performance feedback through employee recognition and reward in conjunction with the Human Resources Manager as required
Develop manufacturing policies: Develop policies and procedures applied in manufacturing with the aim of improving competitiveness and capabilities of the industry.
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.
Promote environmental awareness: Calculate the carbon footprint of business processes and other practices in order to promote sustainability and to raise awareness for the environmental impact.
Supervise daily information operations: Direct daily operations of different units. Coordinate program/project activities to assure the respect of costs and time.
Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Manage logistics: Create logistic framework for transporting goods to customers and for receiving returns, execute and follow up the logistics processes and guidelines.
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 business case: Gather relevant information in order to come up with a well-written and well-structured document that provides the trajectory of a given project.
Adhere to organisational guidelines: Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Promote innovative infrastructure design: Throughout the coordination of an engineering project, promote the development of infrastructure that is innovative and sustainable, in line with the latest developments in the field.
Develop energy policy: Develop and maintain an organisation’s strategy regarding its energy performance.
Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Follow company standards: Lead and manage according to the organisation’s code of conduct.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of energy manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

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.
Gas market: The trends and major driving factors in the gas trading market, gas trades methodologies and practice, and the identification of the major stakeholders in the gas sector.
Gas consumption: The factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of gas consumption in a residence or facility, and methods which can reduce the consumption of gas, or make it more efficient.
Zero-energy building design: The design and building principle whereby the net amount of energy used by the building equals the amount of renewable energy created by the building itself. The concept refers to self-sustaining constructions.
Contract law: The field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.
Industrial heating systems: Heating systems fuelled by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power, and other reneable energy sources and their energy saving principles, applicable specifically to industrial buildings and facilities.
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 and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of energy manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Develop energy saving concepts: Use current research results and collaborate with experts to optimise or develop concepts, equipment, and production processes which require a lesser amount of energy such as new insulation practices and materials.
Monitor utility equipment: Monitor equipment which provides utility services such as power, heat, refrigeration, and steam, in order to ensure they are functional, operate according to regulations, and to check for faults.
Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Analyse energy market trends: Analyse data influencing the movement of the energy market, and liaise with the important stakeholders in the energy field in order to make accurate predictions and perform the most beneficial actions.
Identify faults in utility meters: Monitor the measuring instruments which calculate the consumption of utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and heat, in order to assess whether the readings are accurate, and to identify damage and need for repairs and maintenance.
Negotiate terms with suppliers: Identify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.
Calculate utility payments: Calculate the payments owed by organisations or individuals to corporations providing utility services, based on the readings of their utility meters.
Advise on potential safety hazards concerning heating systems: Provide information and advice to clients on the type of potential dangers they face, such as suffocation, CO-poisoning or fire, in cases where the fireplaces or chimneys are not swept for a long period of time.
Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Inspect industrial equipment: Inspect equipment used during industrial activities such as manufacturing or construction equipment in order to ensure that the equipment complies with health, safety, and environmental legislation.
Negotiate improvement with suppliers: Build a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.
Plan health and safety procedures: Set up procedures for maintaining and improving health and safety in the workplace.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Collaborate on international energy projects: Provide expertise with regard to energy saving and energy efficiency for the realisation of international projects, including projects in the field of development cooperation.
Ensure equipment maintenance: Ensure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or flaws.

1349 – Professional services managers not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Energy manager – ESCO