Managing The Energy Department

Abstract

During a recent interview with several energy managers for large
public institutions in our state, the question was asked: “Can you define
your job in twenty-fi ve words or less?” One energy manager said, “I
only need two words... herding cats!” As we discussed this comment,
it became abundantly clear that the energy manager’s job description
has changed over the years. In the beginning, when energy management
was a relatively new profession, the task was simple: cut the utility bill!
Today the job has expanded to look much the same as everyone else’s
in the organization: energy management is a department with the task
of operating as effi ciently and as cost effectively as possible within the
constraints of company goals, company organization, and company
policy.
The energy manager’s responsibility is to make “energy” an issue
within the organization. How is it used? When is it used? Why is it used
when it’s used? Is there a technical problem that needs to be resolved?
A maintenance problem? An operations problem? Do you simply need
to head off a problem?
More and more, we are finding that the source of the problem
is not technically oriented. Today we find that both management and
communication skills are needed to get the job done.
As a result, the energy manager now has to ask which set of tools
is needed for correction of the problem—the screwdriver, the check-
book, or the coffee cup?