Energy management is rapidly becoming a priority for businesses around the world. A changing energy scenario is prompting businesses to understand the importance of moving forward with saving energy. With complicated issues cropping up, such as impending environmental impacts, everyone is stepping towards proper energy regulations. The availability of alternative energy sources and innovation in renewable technology has also encouraged thoughts toward energy security. Energy security is also linked with good energy management and the availability of natural resources used for energy consumption.
As a quickly developing field of science and technology, it has rapidly emerged as an exciting career path. It involves assessing energy systems usage, and managing the same for positive economic growth. While also being eco-friendly. As part of their job, energy managers effectively check energy use, to make a system more energy efficient. Energy managers are concerned with energy efficiency planning, involving machinery, equipment, buildings, and other physical structures & processes. A good energy manager in any organization also ensures that they manage people as efficiently as the energy systems. This is why any energy manager will benefit significantly from managerial skills as well.
Does Quality Education Matter?
Equipped with good managerial and technical skills is what makes a good energy manager. Any budding energy manager should go for the best MBA programs for renewable energy from any of the best colleges present. These programs offer in-depth managerial experience and understanding of aspiring energy management leaders for their career path. The effective combination of technical and managerial aspects provides a thorough understanding of the energy technologies, industries, and markets. These courses also help in developing a strategy focussed mindset, with the ability to work anywhere in the country.
These programs are also responsible for providing scholars and industry leaders with a complete overview of the energy industry. Keeping up to date with the industry standards, norms, and technology, an MBA energy program also prepares aspirants with flexible and blended learning suitable for executives. Anyone participating in such programs gains a deep understanding of energy resources, trading, financing energy projects, as well as, energy policies.
Benefits of Efficient Energy Management
Due to various factors, energy managers within an organization might see a slow reduction in energy usage and an insignificant bottom line. The process also faces hurdles when everyone is not on board with the plans in use to reduce energy use. It can be difficult to make any progress. But with good energy management education comes both the benefits of managing energy and human resources too. However, in the end, it pays to have patience and perseverance, which comes in the form of numerous benefits for the organization. Following are some of the benefits an organization might see under efficient energy management:
Cost Reduction
The first thing to consider as an energy manager is how to reduce energy bills, and how that will impact the organization. It is important to know that their first step to reducing energy usage requires investing in energy auditing, as well as, better technology. This might incur an initial increase in expenditure, but in time, it will save more financially. This would allow me capital to be utilized in the organization. It would be a good idea for energy managers to include this in their energy savings plans. Since the rate of energy usage isn’t constant, any decrease in energy use will benefit the organization with positive financial effects.
Limiting Risk
Due to continuing growth in the country’s infrastructure, there has been an increasing instability in the energy markets. With a growing population, and the need to improve existing energy infrastructure, increasing demand for energy supply is only natural. This also directly affects the constant fluctuations in prices. One of the few ways of avoiding this uncertainty surrounding oil and gas is to choose renewable energy resources over fossil fuel-powered energy generation. Choosing alternatives while reducing energy usage will also help reduce instability.
Complying with Regulations and Guidelines
Many governments across the world have encouraged reducing energy use, to slow the impact of instability. Worthwhile mention is the Climate Change Act 2008 of the United Kingdom, which made it a legally binding target to slow greenhouse gas emissions. Energy managers can use similar policies in their workplaces to gradually reduce energy waste. The next step in energy management could involve extending workplace energy policies toward zero carbon emission. Numerous businesses are gradually stepping towards a net-zero commitment, totally depending on renewable energy sources for support. Some of the methods, like planting trees in the vicinity, can promote an eco-friendly approach for the workplace as well.
The Indian government has set up many policies that encourage organizations to go green. As such, energy managers should find it easier to invest in low carbon technologies, and reduce energy demand all around. Organizations and workplaces opting in sooner will benefit from being ready when tougher regulations are set in place. With the government’s progressive approach towards energy use and gradual promotion of green energy, organizations will have to move forward or be left behind. Organizations will greatly benefit from proactive energy managers who follow this, as there is no harm in making one’s mark on this one.
Workplace Improvement
A comfortable workplace is a basic minimum every employee hopes for. A workplace that addresses the basic needs, like temperature, can increase productivity significantly. The inverse of course may result in reduced productivity and increased energy expenditure for the same. This is why an efficient energy manager will ensure that organizations benefit the bottom line and help create an optimum working environment.
For instance, checking out different sections of an office to see how heating and cooling compare can help get an idea. A properly installed heating, air cooling, and ventilation with automatic temperature adjustment can help with significant energy usage reduction. Thereby proving that sufficient comfort in workplaces doesn’t need to be achieved while sacrificing savings.
Responsibility and Reputation
Moving towards greener energy use also affects how society views an organization. It helps in the long term to be seen leading inefficient energy use and management in the environmentally aware society of today. From a business point of view, it also sets a new USP, differentiating an organization from others in the same industry. As such, an efficient energy management plan should be included as a key part of corporate self-regulation as a responsibility to society.
