Why Study Energy Management

“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth...these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions for one problem must be solutions for all,” said Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Energy, its consumption, extraction, transportation, harvesting, and much more, is a global issue and has global impacts.

It is no longer tenable to ignore national and international management of energy resources. Proper regulation needs to be in place especially for many complicated energy (and world) issues, such as oil and fossil fuel depletion, reliance on unsustainable extraction processes, geopolitics that affect energy resources, supply and demand issues, innovations in renewables and other alternative energy sources, and finally, climate change and impending large scale environmental impacts. More and more, there is a need and demand for energy management, which considers the importance of energy security, or how national security is linked to the availability of natural resources used for energy consumption.

What is Energy Management?

Energy management is a growing field of study and an exciting career path. A proactive assessment and management of energy systems allows for successful economic and environmental results. An energy manager strategically evaluates energy use, with a view to making changes which create a more efficient system. Energy management is concerned with planning for energy efficiency and typically involves evaluating the energy usage of machinery, equipment, buildings, other physical structures, and processes.

An energy manager will be tasked with assessing current plans and systems and updating them to make them more efficient, which also normally corresponds with both minimizing environmental impact and improving the bottom line. Some examples of specific sectors of energy management include hydropower, solar battery storage and energy conversion, electrical grids, and petroleum processing and usage.

Why Energy Management Matters

As the world continues to deplete its natural resources, energy management is becoming increasingly important. Having the most efficient systems in place helps maximize the use of precious resources. “Energy inefficiency actually occurs across the entire energy supply chain — from extraction, conversion, transport and transmission to final use,” says the European Environment Agency. So it makes sense that increasing the energy efficiency of any system reduces energy bills and capitalizes on the intrinsic potential of the resources being utilized. Or, waste not, want not, as the old adage goes.

Clean tech -- technology that takes into consideration the environmental impact first and works to reduce it -- is an increasingly growing field. Changemakers are needed in this field to develop new ways to process, extract, transport, and create generally better systems for energy management. Thinking outside the box will allow you to both advance your own career and likely make a difference to the health of the planet. Jan Eschke, energy and environment manager at manufacturing firm Worlée-Chemie GmbH, says, “We want to show that climate protection and energy efficiency can also be economically beneficial, and we also intend to raise awareness in other companies. In addition, we maintain close contacts in the political world and offer our expertise and experience during the legislative process.” The creation of better energy management systems is playing a vital role in finding solutions to our current climate change crisis.

Where to Study Energy Management

ESCP Europe London’s Executive Master in Energy Management (EMEM) program is designed to offer aspiring energy management leaders the in-depth knowledge and managerial experience they need to progress in their careers. The combination of management and energy expertise gives students in-depth knowledge and vision of energy industries, technologies, and markets, developing a strategic mindset and the ability to work in a highly international environment.

Not only does this program provide a 360-degree overview of the energy industry, it is also an international program with flexible and blended learning suitable for executives. Offering a 12-month, part-time option, you can study in London, Paris, Berlin, or Madrid. As a student enrolled in this exciting energy management program you’ll gain expertise in energy commodity trading, energy project financing, electricity and renewables, energy policy, and much more. This program will allow executives to combine technical and managerial skills in the energy industry and will join a strong, dynamic international network of 60,000 alumni.

ESCP Europe Business School was established in 1819 as Europe’s first business school and its pioneering nature remain today, as it was recently ranked 11th Best European Business School by the Financial Times.

One alumnus of the program, Ugo Bernal, said of his experience in the EMEM program, “I am currently the Senior Development Manager for Symbior Solar, a provider of industrial solar solutions in the emerging markets in Asia operating from Bangkok, Thailand. The EMEM program equipped me with the skills and knowledge that I am applying in matching investors and international expertise in development, financing and implementation of PV power plant solutions with Asian clients’ needs. I am thus an active player in the rapidly evolving sustainable energy market.”

Energy management is a vital and up-and-coming field and ESCP Europe London’s EMEM program can equip students with the skills they need to lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future. What are you waiting for? Apply now for the next intake in September.

Article written in association with ESCP Europe London.