A Brief Introduction
Energy Auditors play a crucial role in helping businesses and homeowners improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. They conduct thorough inspections of buildings and equipment to identify areas where energy is being wasted and then recommend cost-effective solutions to increase energy efficiency.
Individuals with a passion for energy conservation, environmental protection, and environmental science can opt for a career as an Energy Auditor.
Who is an Energy Auditor?
All countries work on energy consumption and efficiency. Energy is the most essential aspect of our daily lives, and as the energy demand continues to rise, so does the need for Energy Auditors.
An Energy Auditor is a professional who assesses how efficiently energy is being used in a building or facility. They analyse energy consumption patterns, identify areas where energy is being wasted or if there is a leakage, and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Career Scope as Energy Auditor
Energy Auditor has a vast career scope as almost all companies plan cost-cutting and saving energy consumption is one area where they can reduce the cost.
Moreover, the increasing popularity of renewable energy has led many to seek advice from Energy Auditors on how to make their companies or properties more energy-efficient and explore renewable options like rooftop solar.
Role & Responsibilities of Energy Auditor
Energy Auditors are trained professionals who assess energy consumption in specific areas and recommend ways of reducing excessive energy usage. So, the primary responsibility of an Energy Auditor is to check whether the energy is utilised effectively or whether there is any leakage or wastage that can be controlled.
Some of the other responsibilities include:
- Prepare an annual activity plan and present it to management concerning financial activities to reduce energy costs.
- Establish an energy conservation sale within a firm or facility.
- Provide training and guidance to employees on energy-saving practices.
- Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices in energy conservation.
- Analyse the performance of equipment. Replace the old machinery equipment with new ones to improve its performance.
- Develop and manage training programs and explain the importance of energy efficiency.
- Create and store a knowledge bank for future reference.
Employment Scope Career Options for Energy Auditor
The employment scope for Energy Auditors is broad and diverse. They can pursue different career paths such as technician, team leader, project manager, and engineer.
Organisations involved in conducting energy audits for various types of properties create job opportunities for Energy Auditors. Individuals can be employed on a part-time, full-time, or contractual basis, or they may work as self-employed.
Top companies that recruit Energy Auditors are:
- All energy service companies
- Tata Group
- Reliance Group
- Adani Group, CESC
- BPCL, General Electricals
- L & T, Atlas Copco, Power grid, NTPC
- Suzlon Ltd., etc
Employment Scope Career Options for Energy Auditor
Energy Auditors don’t adhere to a typical 9-to-5 schedule. Their work revolves around conducting on-site energy audits at diverse locations like residential buildings, commercial properties, industrial facilities, and government structures.
They may operate independently or collaborate with a team comprising engineers, technicians, and project managers to pinpoint energy-saving prospects and implement energy efficiency measures. Apart from the on-site work, Energy Auditors are also required to do office tasks. They are involved in activities involving project planning, data analysis, and report generation.
Energy Auditors also need to be flexible as they need to accommodate clients’ schedules which may include working till late evening or on weekends.
Salary Range
Energy Auditors are specialised professionals, so they usually earn a handsome salary. The average salary package starts from a minimum of 10 lacs annually in India. There is no limit to earning as with experience and expertise, they can earn even more than 40 to 50 lacs per annum.
How to Become an Energy Auditor?
An Energy Auditor is a specialised profession that only certain qualified people can pursue.
The first and foremost thing is to fulfil the eligibility criteria as not all candidates can directly appear for the CEA examination. To become an Energy Auditor, one must have a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in engineering or a related field. Some companies may also require certification in Energy Auditing or a similar field.
Secondly, you need to gain relevant work experience in the organisation in the energy operation maintenance, and planning, department.
Thirdly, you can also gain additional professional certifications like Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or Certified Residential Energy Auditor (REA) from the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) to add value to your profile.
Apart from preparing for the exam papers, you also need to stay updated with the latest trends in energy conservation and maintenance. This is particularly essential while appearing for the job interviews as it shows your knowledge and passion for the field.
Finally, you need to pass the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) examination conducted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India to become a certified Energy Auditor.
Skills Required For a Good Energy Auditor
The work environment of Energy Auditors is challenging. So, they need to possess certain skills to be successful. These skills not only allow them to perform well but also help to overcome the challenges effectively.
Skills such as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good reasoning skills, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, technical knowledge of energy systems and structures, analytical skills, ability to work independently and in a team, and a passion for sustainability are essential for a good Energy Auditor.
Eligibility Criteria
There is a certification exam for the Energy Auditor role. However, all candidates aren’t eligible to take the exam.
Certain criteria need to be fulfilled before appearing for the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) exam.
Only the following candidates can appear for the CEA exam:
- Graduate Engineers like BE, BTech, and MSc Physics with Physics and Maths at the graduate level with 3 years of relevant experience in energy operations, maintenance, and planning department.
- Postgraduate Engineers like ME and MTech with 2 years of relevant experience in energy operations, maintenance, and planning departments.
- Diploma Engineers with 6 years of relevant experience in energy operation maintenance, planning, etc.
- A graduate Engineer with a post-graduate degree in Management or equivalent, with at least two years of work experience in roles that involve energy usage in operation, maintenance, planning, etc.
Candidates must meet the required years of work experience by the application deadline. They must provide an Experience Certificate before they can be registered and receive guidebooks. Those without requisite work experience are not eligible to register for the examination.
The exam is conducted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) once a year in September. You have to apply in April for the exam.
Exam Pattern and Papers
There are 4 papers in all for the CEA exam. You can become an Energy Manager by passing the first 3 papers.
Candidates that pass all 4 papers are eligible to become a Certified Energy Auditor. The first three papers are common for both Energy Managers and Energy Auditors, while the fourth paper is specific to Energy Auditors.
The first 3 papers contain objective and descriptive questions. Passing marks are a minimum of 50%. Whereas 4th paper is Descriptive and numerical. It is one of the toughest papers to clear and is an Open book examination.
Following are the papers for the Energy Auditor Examination.
Paper No. | Name of the Paper | Duration | Marks |
1 | General Aspects of Energy Management & Energy Audit | 3 Hours | 150 |
2 | Energy Efficiency in Thermal Utilities | 3 Hours | 150 |
3 | Energy Efficiency in Electrical Utilities | 3 Hours | 150 |
4 | Energy Performance Assessment for Equipment and Utility Systems (Open Book Examination) | 2 Hours | 100 |
Fees for Energy Auditor Course
The fees for an Energy Auditor examination consist of the application fees, examination fees, and certification fees.
Application Fees
- General Candidates — Rs. 500
- Candidates belonging to the Scheduled caste or the Scheduled Tribes — Rs. 250
- Candidates from Other Backward Classes with annual incomes below Rs. 4.5 lakhs/year — Rs. 250
Examination Fee
- General Candidates — Rs. 1500 per paper
- Candidates belonging to the Scheduled caste or the Scheduled Tribes — Rs. 750 per paper
- Candidates from Other Backward Classes with annual incomes below Rs. 4.5 lakhs/year — Rs. 750 per paper
Certification Fee
- General Candidates — Rs. 10,000
- Candidates belonging to the Scheduled caste or the Scheduled Tribes — Rs. 5,000
- Candidates from Other Backward Classes with annual incomes below Rs. 4.5 lakhs/year — Rs. 5,000
- Company Sponsored Candidates – Rs. 20,000
There is a fee for upgrading from an Energy Manager to an Energy Auditor.
- General Candidates — Rs. 1500
- Candidates belonging to the Scheduled caste or the Scheduled Tribes — Rs. 750
- Candidates from Other Backward Classes with annual incomes below Rs. 4.5 lakhs/year — Rs. 750
NOTE: Candidates requesting fee concession must provide copies of required supporting documents.
Conclusion
An Energy Auditor can be a rewarding profession for those interested in conserving energy and contributing to society’s welfare. Although there is a vast scope for Energy Auditors, it isn’t an easy job and needs a lot of determination and dedication towards work. However, considering the numerous benefits and opportunities available in this field, it is worth the effort.