Energy Specialist Training

Lesson 1 • Renewable Energy Sources Overview

Introduces solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass resources and their generation principles. Connects resource availability to practical deployment decisions.

Lesson 2 • Energy Data and Measurement Tools

Introduces meters, sensors, and data loggers used to quantify energy consumption. Prepares students to collect accurate baseline data in field assessments.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Grid Architecture

Describes generation, transmission, and distribution layers of the electrical grid. Grounds students in the infrastructure context for energy specialist work.

Lesson 4 • Fossil Fuel Energy Sources

Examines coal, natural gas, and petroleum as primary energy sources and their combustion characteristics. Provides baseline understanding of conventional supply chains.

Lesson 1 • Building Envelope Assessment

Covers inspection of walls, roofs, windows, and foundations for thermal performance. Links envelope deficiencies directly to heating and cooling energy losses.

Lesson 2 • Lighting and Plug Load Analysis

Quantifies energy use from lighting systems and plug-connected equipment. Identifies high-impact reduction opportunities within the electrical end-use profile.

Lesson 3 • Mechanical Systems Evaluation

Assesses HVAC, water heating, and ventilation systems for efficiency and condition. Connects equipment performance to overall building energy consumption.

Lesson 4 • Audit Reporting and Documentation

Structures findings into professional reports with prioritized recommendations. Ensures deliverables meet client expectations and industry reporting standards.

Lesson 1 • Scenario and Measure Analysis

Runs baseline and alternative scenarios to quantify energy and cost savings for each measure. Connects simulation outputs to investment decision support.

Lesson 2 • Model Input and Calibration

Covers data collection, input entry, and calibration against measured utility data. Ensures models reflect actual building conditions before scenario analysis.

Lesson 3 • Reporting Model Results

Translates simulation outputs into clear graphics, tables, and narrative summaries. Prepares students to communicate technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Lesson 4 • Building Energy Modeling Fundamentals

Introduces the physics and assumptions underlying whole-building energy simulation. Establishes model accuracy expectations and appropriate use cases.

Lesson 1 • Lighting System Upgrades

Examines LED technology, lighting controls, and daylighting integration as efficiency measures. Enables students to design lighting retrofits that meet both energy and visual comfort goals.

Lesson 2 • Commissioning and Verification

Covers commissioning processes that confirm installed systems perform as designed. Links verification activities to savings persistence and client satisfaction.

Lesson 3 • High-Efficiency HVAC Systems

Covers heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow, and high-efficiency furnaces as upgrade options. Prepares students to match equipment to building load profiles.

Lesson 4 • Envelope Retrofit Strategies

Details insulation upgrades, air sealing techniques, and window replacements for existing buildings. Connects each measure to quantifiable reductions in heating and cooling loads.

Lesson 1 • Energy Storage Integration

Examines battery technologies, sizing methods, and control strategies for storage systems. Enables students to integrate storage with renewable generation for reliability and optimization.

Lesson 2 • Hybrid and Microgrid Systems

Combines multiple generation and storage sources into resilient microgrid configurations. Prepares students to design systems that operate both grid-connected and in island mode.

Lesson 3 • Solar Photovoltaic System Design

Covers site assessment, array sizing, inverter selection, and layout for PV systems. Builds competency in translating load data into a complete PV design package.

Lesson 4 • Small Wind System Design

Covers wind resource evaluation, turbine selection, and tower height optimization. Prepares students to assess feasibility and design small wind installations.

Lesson 1 • Financial Metrics and Decision Tools

Applies simple payback, net present value, and internal rate of return to energy investments. Enables students to compare projects on a consistent financial basis.

Lesson 2 • Energy Project Cost Estimation

Covers capital, installation, operations, and maintenance cost components for energy projects. Builds accuracy in cost estimation as the foundation for financial analysis.

Lesson 3 • Financial Proposal Development

Integrates cost, savings, incentives, and financing into a complete client-ready proposal. Connects financial analysis skills to professional deliverable production.

Lesson 4 • Project Financing Structures

Examines loans, leases, power purchase agreements, and on-bill financing as funding vehicles. Enables students to match financing structures to client financial profiles.

Lesson 1 • Energy Reporting and Disclosure

Covers benchmarking mandates, disclosure requirements, and energy audit obligations. Enables students to help clients meet mandatory reporting deadlines and formats.

Lesson 2 • Environmental and Emissions Regulations

Examines greenhouse gas reporting, carbon pricing mechanisms, and refrigerant regulations. Connects emissions compliance to energy project planning and equipment selection.

Lesson 3 • Building Energy Codes Overview

Explains the structure and purpose of prescriptive and performance-based building energy codes. Establishes the compliance framework that governs new construction and major renovations.

Lesson 4 • Equipment Efficiency Standards

Covers minimum efficiency requirements for HVAC, water heaters, and appliances. Ensures students specify only compliant equipment in project designs.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Implements ongoing monitoring routines and review cycles to sustain and deepen savings. Ensures the energy management program adapts to changing conditions and new opportunities.

Lesson 2 • Energy Management System Frameworks

Introduces plan-do-check-act energy management system frameworks and their organizational benefits. Provides the governance structure for all subsequent strategic planning activities.

Lesson 3 • Energy Action Planning

Develops prioritized action plans that sequence projects by impact, cost, and feasibility. Translates strategic targets into executable project portfolios.

Lesson 4 • Energy Baseline and Target Setting

Establishes normalized energy baselines and sets measurable reduction targets. Connects data-driven goal setting to accountability and performance tracking.