Energy Management Smarter uses of today’s energy for tomorrow
What is Energy Management?
Energy Management is all about how to make the best use of our present and future energy sources in order to avoid crises, both economic and environmental. In a modern economy we take energy services, such as transport, lighting, heating, and electrical appliances for granted. Yet behind these services lies a complex network of energy technologies to ensure that fuels, hydro-power, geothermal energy, and other primary sources get converted into the services we want.
Responding to the issues surrounding energy use is important. As energy and environmental problems intensify, there is urgent demand worldwide for energy managers who can set up and implement real practical solutions. Energy Management is a professional occupation that affects the economy, people's security and comfort, their jobs, and the environment. It is not just concerned with saving energy, but also with increasing productivity, improving standards of living and saving money.
Otago's BAppSc in Energy Management will train you to tackle these issues head-on. You'll gain the problem-solving ability, business awareness, experience and expertise required to work in a wide variety of areas, helping industry, government and individuals make the best energy choices.
Why Study Energy Management?
- You'll gain the expertise to become a professionally qualified energy manager, able to work with people in industry, business, government, or as a consultant.
- You'll study in an area which will be used for the betterment of society, helping to ensure the sustainability of the environment and energy supply for future generations.
Career Opportunities
There are opportunities within New Zealand and around the world for qualified people to help resolve a range of energy issues. Otago's BAppSc in Energy Management gives you a chance to make a real difference to both the environment and people's standard of living.
Some different career paths include:
- Becoming a consultant, either privately or employed by a consultancy firm. This might involve performing energy audits and implementing energy efficiency measures for different organisations, like those owning office buildings or production facilities. Consultancy work is project-based, with plenty of variety and opportunities to travel.
- Working in an energy services company (or ESCO) - a company that is contracted by an organisation (for example, a hospital) to provide and manage energy services like light, heat, and hot water for them. An ESCO profits by providing services more efficiently than if the organisation were managing them themselves.
- Being employed directly by industry, working as an Energy Management specialist. Energy-intensive industries that are constantly developing new processes and products - like dairy processing, pulp and paper and manufacturing - use the skills of an energy manager in production decisions, development and design.
- Working for local government, advising on town planning and assisting residents to manage their energy use, helping them to have healthier homes, cleaner air and lower energy bills. Graduates may also enter regulatory government, becoming involved in developing policy and promoting improved energy efficiency and conservation on a national scale.
Background Required
There is some flexibility in entry requirements, but students should have achieved a clear pass in NCEA level 3 in Mathematics for entry into MATH 160, and a good pass in Physics is needed for PHSI 131.
What Will I Study?
You will gain a sound grounding in the underlying science of Energy Management – the properties of fluids and gases and the physical laws that govern the conversion of energy between different forms. You will also explore the entire length and breadth of the energy industry.
In second year, papers become more specialised, with the two thermoprocesses papers (EMAN 201 & EMAN 202). The year starts with an introduction to the basics of thermodynamic theory, the underlying science of Energy Management - the properties of fluids and gases and the physical laws that govern the conversion of energy between different forms. You'll see these processes in action through real-world examples. In the second part of the year you'll look at how this knowledge is used to improve the efficiency of energy conversion technologies, such as combustion, air-conditioning, refrigeration, and engines. Both papers have a laboratory component, enabling you to work with energy conversion equipment, and directly see how the basic principles work in the real world.
At 300- and 400-level, papers in Energy Management explore the entire length and breadth of the energy industry, along with a thorough understanding of theory and application. They cover topics as wide-ranging as social and political issues in the energy sector to the highly applied physics of buildings. You'll also learn the professional tools energy managers require - how to conduct energy audits, report effectively, and help your client make the best decision.
The major fourth-year research project enables you to apply your knowledge to a real-life situation. Past research projects have involved analysing energy and availability losses in an industrial plant, looking at the dynamics of air-conditioning systems, rating the effectiveness of wool-based insulation, and modelling local electricity network demand profiles.
Job Placement
You're required to complete 100 days of work experience as part of your course. At the end of the second and third years, the University uses its contacts to find summer jobs for students. These positions vary widely - they are found all over the country, or overseas, and involve many different types of work. Placements in the past have been with energy consultancy firms, government departments, dairy and meat processing companies, large manufacturing industries and even a national roading contractor.
For more detailed information on Energy Management papers and course requirements, please see the main University website at http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/eman.html
Major Subject and Programme Requirements
Minor Subject Requirements (for BAppSc only)
Profile: Jake Roos
Otago - the only option
Choosing to study at the University of Otago seemed like the only option for Jake Roos. Jake grew up in Dunedin, meaning Otago was literally right on his doorstep. More importantly, Otago was (and still is) the only university in the country offering an undergraduate degree in Energy Management.
"I'm concerned about the world's environmental and impending energy supply problems. Studying Energy Management offered a way to do something about it."
It was also a way of putting Jake's strengths in maths and physics to practical use. He was attracted to the course for its variety of papers, applied focus, and work experience component.
"The job placement I obtained at the end of my second year turned into a long and profitable association between myself and the company in question - I ended up working for them throughout the rest of my degree, and based my honours project on one of their facilities."
The experience also encouraged Jake to take his education further, and he is now studying for a Master of Applied Science while teaching in the Energy Management programme part-time. With such highly sought-after skills, Jake knows that once he graduates, the future will be wide open.
"I always like variety and doing new and different things, so I'm aiming to be an energy consultant, assisting with local and national governments' projects and policy," he says. "But don't hold me to that. The field of Energy Management is so broad and is increasing in importance, so there's no telling where it might lead me."
Contacts
For further information regarding Energy Management, please contact:
Associate Professor Bob Lloyd
Department of Physics
Tel 64 3 479 7987
Fax 64 3 479 0964
Email boblloyd@physics.otago.ac.nz
Other Websites:
- Energy Management Regulations http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/eman.html
- Department of Physics http://www.physics.otago.ac.nz
PDF Infosheet
You can download the latest Energy Management Infosheet (232k in PDF format).
