The energy management representative is responsible for the establishment, implementation and improvement of the energy management system. He or she is appointed by top management and given the required authority and necessary resources to accomplish the task of implementing the system. The time of the energy management representative doesn’t have to be exclusively devoted to the implementation of the energy management system. In practise he or she normally also fills a function which has a strong relationship with energy management. It should be someone who reports to the top person in the organisation. Job titles vary from organisation to organisation but examples include engineering manager or director, environmental manager or director, production manager or director, operations manager or director, etc.).
The management representative should have the following responsibilities at a minimum:
Implementing the energy management system;
Reporting to top management on the performance of the energy management system;
Reporting to top management on the energy performance of the organisation;
Formation of an energy management team whenever appropriate and possible;
Plan and direct energy management activities.
Develop, manage and communicate all roles, responsibilities and authorities related to the management of energy in the organisation.
How to implement
Top management needs to identify and appoint a member of staff that has the set of expertise, experience and competencies that make him/her suitable and capable to effectively drive and coordinate the EnMS implementation process. Ideally the energy management representative should have the following set of skills:.
High-level communication skills, including liaison, negotiation and consultation skills;
Facilitation for managing meetings and team activities;
Proven experience in project management;
An understanding of energy costs and the tariff structures available,
Familiarity with engineering systems and energy efficiency technologies;
Knowledge and experience of change management (this is especially important in the context of improving energy performance through low cost measures and culture change);
Other relevant skills, knowledge and experience may include:
Experience with implementing energy management systems;
Motivation and willingness to undertake further training and skill acquisition;
Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet and database packages;
An understanding of operations and other areas such as safety, quality, finance and environmental issues.
A willingness to question the status quo.
Ability to make decisions
However in real life it is very difficult to find or very unlikely for organization to have staff with such a wide and diverse set of skills. The consequence is that, these skills are very often split between the energy management representative and another member or two of the energy management team (for instance the energy manager or the chief energy engineer if the structure of the organisation has also this role). Enthusiasm for the role is probably more important than technical ability. There are many examples of success in this role from people with good management skills and not necessarily having a high level of energy related technical skills.
What is this?
The energy management representative is responsible for the establishment, implementation and improvement of the energy management system. He or she is appointed by top management and given the required authority and necessary resources to accomplish the task of implementing the system. The time of the energy management representative doesn’t have to be exclusively devoted to the implementation of the energy management system. In practise he or she normally also fills a function which has a strong relationship with energy management. It should be someone who reports to the top person in the organisation. Job titles vary from organisation to organisation but examples include engineering manager or director, environmental manager or director, production manager or director, operations manager or director, etc.).
The management representative should have the following responsibilities at a minimum:
How to implement
Top management needs to identify and appoint a member of staff that has the set of expertise, experience and competencies that make him/her suitable and capable to effectively drive and coordinate the EnMS implementation process. Ideally the energy management representative should have the following set of skills:.
Other relevant skills, knowledge and experience may include:
However in real life it is very difficult to find or very unlikely for organization to have staff with such a wide and diverse set of skills. The consequence is that, these skills are very often split between the energy management representative and another member or two of the energy management team (for instance the energy manager or the chief energy engineer if the structure of the organisation has also this role). Enthusiasm for the role is probably more important than technical ability. There are many examples of success in this role from people with good management skills and not necessarily having a high level of energy related technical skills.