ESCOer

An ESCOer is a professional who works for an energy service company (ESCO) that delivers energy efficiency, water efficiency, and sometimes renewable energy projects under energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs). They may be engineers, project managers, financial analysts, or technicians.

In practice, ESCOers perform energy audits, identify energy conservation measures (ECMs), model expected savings, and develop project designs. They prepare financial analyses, calculate return on investment, and help secure financing. During implementation, they supervise construction, coordinate subcontractors, and ensure equipment installation meets specifications. After completion, they monitor performance and verify savings, using protocols such as IPMVP.

ESCOs work with public sector institutions, such as schools and municipalities, as well as commercial facilities, offering turnkey services that may include equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and maintenance. The contract framework typically ties payments to achieved energy savings, providing a mechanism to transfer performance risk from the client to the ESCO.

Skills and qualifications: Backgrounds in mechanical or electrical engineering, energy management, or related fields; professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or similar credentials; strong data analysis, project management, and knowledge of building systems, energy auditing, and energy codes.

History and context: The ESCO industry developed in the United States in the 1980s and has since expanded globally, with ESCOers playing a central role in designing, implementing, and auditing energy efficiency projects.