Energy Engineer

Working Schedule

• Energy Engineers work full-time with the possibility of overtime during emergencies. Travel in the area may be necessary.

Typical Duties

• Assess and optimize energy usage in various conditions and settings
• Calculate estimated potential energy savings if upgrading equipment and systems
• Conduct temperature testing and regulatory compliance
• Ensure designs and product installations comply with safety and energy efficiency standards
• Benchmark cost and consumption for organizations
• Design and implement renewable energy systems
• Used software to create detailed construction drawing sets and models
• Assist during development activities to ensure actions are completed on schedule
• Build performance models for compliance with associated standards
• Analyze emissions and performance of gas-fired furnaces and boilers
• Automate equipment fault detection and energy analysis in commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and other professionals for project execution
• Facilitate system prototype submissions and experiments
• Evaluate system integration with existing infrastructure
• Review subcontracted energy assessments and retro-commissioning projects to ensure quality
• Estimate energy and water cost savings meeting company-wide return on investment requirements
• Create reports to compare projected energy savings against actual savings

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay updated with regulatory and environmental legislation
• Research new energy technologies to stay at the forefront of the field
• Participate in community and business partner sustainability meetings
• Encourage investment in energy-efficient and solar energy technologies

Soft Skills

• Activities coordination
• Analytical
• Attention to detail
• Business acumen
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Decisive
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Detail-oriented
• Independent
• Monitoring
• Objective
• Organized
• Patient
• Perceptive
• Problem-solving
• Reading comprehension
• Safety-oriented
• Strong communication skills
• Visualization

Technical Skills

• Building Information Modeling
• Computer-aided design (CAD) tools such as Autodesk AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, etc.
• Development environment tools like LabVIEW and Verilog
• Energy analysis and management tools such as EnergyPlus, RETScreen, or HOMER
• Geographic Information Systems
• Knowledge of energy systems and renewable technologies
• Knowledge of fabrication and manufacturing
• Mechanical aptitude
• Operating system software, such as Linux, Windows, Shell script, UNIX
  Operations analysis
• Programming languages such as C++, Python
• Project management software like Microsoft Project or Primavera
• Scientific software such as Powersim and MathWorks
• Simulation and modeling software like ANSYS, MATLAB, or Simulink
• Strong skills in all branches of STEM 

• Construction and building services
• Engineering consultancies
• Environmental agencies
• Government and public agencies
• Manufacturing and industrial companies
• Renewable energy firms
• Research institutions, including colleges
• Utility companies

Energy Engineers must constantly update their skills to keep pace with evolving technology and regulations, often working under tight deadlines. This commitment to lifelong learning is crucial but can mean extended work hours, especially when working on large-scale projects or urgent energy crises.

Work might take them to remote locations for extended periods, impacting their personal lives. They can sometimes encounter industry resistance or public skepticism, requiring them to be not only skilled engineers but also effective communicators. Energy Engineers, after all, must be strong advocates for sustainable energy practices and policies!

Current trends emphasize renewable energy and smart technology integration. The shift from fossil fuels to renewables like solar and wind is driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements.

Energy Engineers focus on efficiency, scalability, and economic viability. In addition, improving energy storage such as in battery systems is crucial since renewable energy sources depend on environmental conditions. For example, solar energy production fluctuates based on the amount of available sunlight, so it is important to be able to store that captured energy.

Smart technology, notably the Internet of Things, is being integrated into energy systems such as smart grids that improve electricity distribution efficiency and reliability. Meanwhile, AI and machine learning are helping to predict energy consumption patterns and optimize energy use. 

Energy Engineers may have displayed a keen interest in STEM subjects in their younger years. Many were drawn to building and experimenting with mechanical or electrical projects, such as constructing simple circuits and models or participating in science fairs. Their early fascination with how things work, combined with awareness of environmental issues, likely steered them towards this career field!