Biggest Challenges Faced By An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's biggest challenge as an Energy Engineer is aligning the enthusiasm for energy savings and sustainability with clients whose motivations may be primarily formal or marketing-driven; this requires balancing "realistic solutions" with the sometimes higher upfront costs of optimal energy efficiency upgrades, a conflict Jake may address by pursuing a career path in policy.
Overcoming Challenges, Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges, Ethical Dilemmas, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jake Gehrung
Energy Engineering
Resilient Buildings Group
University of New Hampshire
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Energy & Utilities
Consulting
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Balancing personal enthusiasm for energy saving with client needs and expectations is crucial. Finding realistic solutions that are both effective and financially feasible for clients is a constant challenge.
2. Many energy-efficient solutions involve higher upfront costs, despite long-term savings. Overcoming this financial hurdle to convince clients of the value proposition is key.
3. The intersection of energy efficiency, policy, and financial feasibility is a significant aspect of the role. Exploring a career path in policy might help to make sustainable solutions more accessible and appealing to clients.
Transcript
What's your biggest challenge in your current role?
My biggest challenge is that not everyone is as excited about saving energy and sustainability as I am.
Often, we work with clients who are pursuing energy efficiency for a specific reason, like a grant application or marketing. They might not be as enthusiastic about the work involved, even though I find it very exciting.
It's a constant balance to align my client's interests with my own professional responsibilities and goals. Finding that balance is crucial; you need to be realistic and offer practical solutions, not just pursue personal enthusiasm.
When proposing solutions, we can't simply offer the one that saves the most energy. We have to consider the politics and financial feasibility. Many solutions in building science and energy have higher upfront costs but save money long-term.
Even when projected energy savings offer a greater return than a retirement fund, clients may still hesitate due to the initial investment. They might opt for the cheapest insulation or boiler instead, which can be a challenge to overcome.
This is where my role in policy sometimes overlaps. I'm considering a path into policy to make these decisions easier for people.