The Connecticut College of Technology Pathways program Associate of Science Degree in Energy Management curriculum offers a unique two-year technical training program that prepares you for a rewarding career in commercial/industrial building energy analysis and management. Students evaluate energy use patterns; develop, implement, market and maintain conservation programs; perform public outreach; recommend energy efficiency techniques; integrate alternative energy sources; and perform systems analysis to solve problems. You will apply physics and analytical techniques to measure and define energy use of today’s building systems with the goal of evaluating and recommending alternative energy solutions that will result in greater energy efficiency and lower energy costs. Students need no prior experience to succeed in the program. The program also includes a solid core of courses in general education. All credits directly transfer to CCSU. Successful completion of the program allows students to enter their junior year at Central Connecticut State University.
Energy industry turns to CT colleges for worker pipeline
source: hartfordbusiness.com
Colleges often talk to local companies to gauge their future workforce needs, searching for opportunities to build new programs to help fill the gaps and attract students amid a competitive higher-ed market.
Lab courses will use Tunxis and the CT college campuses as “living laboratories.” Students will perform energy auditing and analysis on actual campus building systems using energy billing data, data loggers, Department of Energy software, “ballast discriminators,” combustion analyzers, gas leak detectors, and energy management system reports, to name a few tools used in the program.
Utility companies, engineering firms, energy services companies, facilities and energy management companies are seeking to hire our graduates.
Climate change, and our need to reduce energy consumption in buildings, has created new job and career opportunities for energy professionals.
“Every building uses energy, but few buildings have staff trained to optimize it. Programs like the Energy Management degree offered by Tunxis Community College give professionals tangible skills and a direct on-the-job return on investment.”
—Matt Gibbs, Managing Director, Evergreen Consulting Group;
former Director, Energy Efficiency Implementation, EverSource
Growing Career Opportunities in Energy Management
By 2025, national spending on utility led energy efficiency programs is projected to double from 2010 levels of about $4 billion to approximately $9.5 billion (Ernest Orlando Berkley National Laboratories). The U.S. Department of Labor projects a “bright outlook” for workers in energy efficiency.
The rapid growth of commercial building energy efficiency projects in CT has created long-term demand for qualified energy analysts. Unlike traditional construction jobs, energy jobs are considered recession-resistant.
Starting salaries are between $40,000 and $60,000 annually.
Major cities such as Boston and New York now require building owners to regularly perform energy analysis and energy improvements on their buildings. These laws are creating more work for our employer partners, who hire our graduates.
Certificate in Energy Management
The certificate is stackable into the Technology Studies: Energy Management degree.
The certificate in Energy Management provides students with practical courses and valuable skills to evaluate energy use patterns and make recommendations for energy and cost savings in commercial and/or industrial buildings. Student have the choice to focus their certificate training on either:
Commercial HVAC Systems and Analysis
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the biggest energy users in commercial buildings. The HVAC focus introduces students to commercial HVAC equipment, how these systems work, how they are controlled, how to operate them more efficiently, and what system improvements can be made to increase overall performance and energy savings. Students learn to identify commercial HVAC system types and the energy impact of each.
OR
Lighting Fundamentals and Applications
Competence with lighting systems analysis is a basic necessity for commercial energy auditors. Topics include assessment of quantity and quality of light, light sources, luminaries, lighting controls, manufacturer lamp and ballast specifications, lighting power density, lighting-HVAC interactions, retrofit opportunities, cost savings analysis, and lighting codes/regulations. Students create a directly supervised lighting audit project as part of the course.
Funding for the program is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, State Energy Program administered by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Contact: Mat Spinelli
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Get more details about this merger.