Engineering ServicesISCO 3112
Energy consultant
An energy consultant is a person who advises clients on the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources, helps them understand energy tariffs, and works to reduce their energy use and their carbon footprint through energy-saving products and methods.
Check yourself in a minute: energy consultant
Rate 5 of the 8 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
forecast energy prices
advise on utility consumption
analyse energy consumption
define energy profiles
energy efficiency
About energy consultant
Understanding the client's consumption comes before any recommendation. The consultant analyses energy use and establishes the energy profiles. On that basis the consultant explains the advantages and disadvantages of the different energy sources open to the client and the ways in which consumption could be reduced. Explaining tariffs clearly to the client is an important part of the work.
Technical knowledge makes the advice specific. The consultant works from energy saving and energy efficiency, from alternative energy sources and resource-efficient technologies, and advises on utility consumption across electricity, heat and water rather than on one of them alone.
Looking forward is part of the service. The consultant forecasts energy prices, and takes the forecast into account when comparing tariffs, energy sources and energy-saving measures for the client. Energy profiles describe the demand, supply and storage of energy in a building, and the consultant uses them to compare options.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (8)
energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the dem...alternative energyalternative energySources of energy that do not originate from fossil fuels and have few greenhouse emissions.resource-efficient technologiesresource-efficient technologiesSustainable technologies which allow to produce more value using limited resources while reducing the impact on the environment, restraining the risks of scarcity.energy conservationenergy conservationThe practice of reducing energy consumption and using fewer energy services. As a sustainable process, energy conservation is done by replacing used energy with alternative sources, using more efficie...forecast energy pricesforecast energy pricesAnalyse the energy market and external factors which may influence trends in the energy market in order to predict the movement of prices for energy and utility consumption.advise on utility consumptionadvise on utility consumptionAdvise individuals or organisations on methods in which they can reduce their consumption of utilities, such as heat, water, gas, and electricity, in order for them to save money and incorporate susta...analyse energy consumptionanalyse energy consumptionEvaluate and analyse the total amount of energy used by a company or an institution by assessing the needs linked to the operative processes and by identifying the causes of superfluous consumption.define energy profilesdefine energy profilesDefine the energy profile of buildings. This includes identifying the energy demand and supply of the building, and its storage capacity.
Optional (56) — show
solar energysolar energyThe energy which originates from light and heat from the sun, and which can be harnessed and used as a renewable source of energy using different technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV) for electrici...sales argumentationsales argumentationTechniques and sales methods used in order to present a product or service to customers in a persuasive manner and to meet their expectations and needs.characteristics of productscharacteristics of productsThe tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.electricity marketelectricity marketThe trends and major driving factors in the electricity trading market, electricity trades methodologies and practice, and the identification of the major stakeholders in the electricity sector.energy performance of buildingsenergy performance of buildingsFactors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.sales promotion techniquessales promotion techniquesThe techniques used to persuade customers to purchase a product or a service.domestic heating systemsdomestic heating systemsThe modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.shale gasshale gasThe type of natural gas that can be found in shale formations.market analysismarket analysisThe field of market analysis and research and its particular research methods.industrial heating systemsindustrial heating systemsHeating systems fuelled by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power, and other reneable energy sources and their energy saving principles, applicable specifically to industrial buildings and facilities.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.sustainability consultingsustainability consultingThe consulting approach that is used to help businesses to know more about their sustainability impact and implement strategies to become eco-friendly and efficient.sales strategiessales strategiesThe principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.alternative fuelsalternative fuelsFuels or power sources that serve, at least partly, as a substitute in the traditional energy supply to transport such as oil and fossil sources. They have the potential to contribute to decarbonisati...corporate sustainabilitycorporate sustainabilityA business practice to conduct long-term sustainable growth by seeking environmental, economic, and social strategies as its three main pillars.renewable energyrenewable energyThe different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increa...characteristics of servicescharacteristics of servicesThe characteristics of a service that might include having acquired information about its application, function, features, use and support requirements.conduct energy auditconduct energy auditAnalyse and evaluate the energy consumption in a systematic manner in order to improve the energy performance.prepare sales checksprepare sales checksProvide customers with official documents that prove their purchase and payment.identify suppliersidentify suppliersDetermine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likel...implement marketing strategiesimplement marketing strategiesImplement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.promote sustainable energypromote sustainable energyPromote the use of renewable electricity and heat generation sources to organisations and individuals, in order to work towards a sustainable future and encourage sales of renewable energy equipment, ...provide information on geothermal heat pumpsprovide information on geothermal heat pumpsProvide organisations and individuals searching for alternative methods to provide buildings with energy on the cost, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of geothermal heat pump...perform a feasibility study on district heating and coolingperform a feasibility study on district heating and coolingPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of district heating and cooling system. Realise a standardised study to determine the costs, restrictions, and the demand for heating and cooling...perform a feasibility study on solar absorption coolingperform a feasibility study on solar absorption coolingPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of the application of solar cooling. Realise a standardised study to estimate the cooling demand of the building, costs, benefits and life cycle ...answer requests for quotationanswer requests for quotationMake up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.manage distribution of destination promotional materialsmanage distribution of destination promotional materialsOversee the distribution of touristic catalogues and brochures.perform a feasibility study on electric heatingperform a feasibility study on electric heatingPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of electric heating. Realise a standardised study to determine whether the application of electric heating is appropriate under the given conditi...carry out sales analysiscarry out sales analysisExamine sales reports to see what goods and services have and have not sold well.deliver a sales pitchdeliver a sales pitchPrepare and deliver an understandably constructed sales talk for a product or a service, identifying and using persuasive argumentation.design building retrofitting solutionsdesign building retrofitting solutionsProviding something with a component or feature not fitted during manufacture or adding something that it did not have when first constructed. used in relation to the installation of new building syst...provide information on hydrogenprovide information on hydrogenProvide organisations and individuals searching for alternative energy fuels information on costs, benefits, and negative aspects of the use of hydrogen. Inform about what one must take into account w...attend trade fairsattend trade fairsAttend exhibitions organised to enable companies in a specific sector to demonstrate their latest products and services, study the activities of their competitors, and observe recent market trends.negotiate terms with suppliersnegotiate terms with suppliersIdentify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.assess customersassess customersEvaluate customers’ personal circumstances, needs and preferences.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.prospect new customersprospect new customersInitiate activities in order to attract new and interesting customers. Ask for recommendations and references, find places where potential customers can be located.negotiate sales contractsnegotiate sales contractsCome to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.provide information on solar panelsprovide information on solar panelsProvide organisations and individuals searching for alternative methods to provide facilities and residences with energy on the costs, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of sol...provide information on wind turbinesprovide information on wind turbinesProvide organisations and individuals searching for alternative energy methods on the cost, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of wind turbines, both residential and common, an...advise on heating systems energy efficiencyadvise on heating systems energy efficiencyProvide information and advice to clients on how to preserve an energy efficient heating system in their home or office and possible alternatives.promote environmental awarenesspromote environmental awarenessPromote sustainability and raise awareness about the environmental impact of human and industrial activity based on the carbon footprints of business processes and other practices.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...identify energy needsidentify energy needsIdentify the type and amount of energy supply necessary in a building or facility, in order to provide the most beneficial, sustainable, and cost-effective energy services for a consumer.assess supplier risksassess supplier risksEvaluate supplier performance in order to assess if suppliers follow the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and provide the desired quality.negotiate improvement with suppliersnegotiate improvement with suppliersBuild a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.implement sales strategiesimplement sales strategiesCarry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company's brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...execute feasibility study on hydrogenexecute feasibility study on hydrogenPerform the evaluation and assessment of the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Compare costs, technologies and available sources to produce, transport and store hydrogen. Take into account the e...collaborate on international energy projectscollaborate on international energy projectsProvide expertise with regard to energy saving and energy efficiency for the realisation of international projects, including projects in the field of development cooperation.inform on government fundinginform on government fundingGive information to customers related to the grants and financing programmes attributed by the government for small and large scale projects in various fields such as the promotion of renewable energi...instruct on energy saving technologiesinstruct on energy saving technologiesInstruct the facility manager or similar figures on monitoring parameters, to guarantee that the system achieves the designed energy saving goals.review completed contractsreview completed contractsReview content and check accuracy of completed contracts.manage production of destination promotional materialsmanage production of destination promotional materialsOversee creation, production and distribution of touristic catalogues and brochures.inform customers on energy consumption feesinform customers on energy consumption feesInform potential customers of an energy retailer on the monthly fees charged for their energy supply services, and any additional charges.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.
Related Occupations
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Frequently asked questions
What does an energy consultant do?
Energy consultants advise clients on the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources. They help clients to understand energy tariffs and try to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint by using energy efficient products and methods.
What skills does an energy consultant need?
An energy consultant needs 8 essential skills, including energy efficiency, alternative energy, resource-efficient technologies, energy conservation, forecast energy prices.
Will AI replace energy consultant jobs?
The AI disruption score for energy consultant is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: prepare sales checks, carry out sales analysis, provide information on wind turbines. Most resilient: electricity, attend trade fairs, negotiate improvement with suppliers.
AI Replacement Risk
65/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills8
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