Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

The automation risk for the occupation "Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar" is assessed at 52.7%, which is very close to its base risk of 53.6%. This moderate risk reflects a balance: while many tasks within the role are structured and data-driven, requiring routine analysis, there exist significant elements demanding creativity and complex problem-solving. Specifically, the most automatable tasks—identifying and recommending energy savings strategies, conducting energy audits, and monitoring and analyzing energy consumption—are all activities that can be significantly streamlined using advanced software, sensors, and data analytics. These processes typically follow established protocols, making them amenable to automation through current and emerging technologies. On the other hand, the occupation retains a strong human element in certain tasks that are comparatively resistant to automation. Activities such as consulting with clients or other engineers on nuanced topics like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification or green building initiatives are highly context-dependent, requiring in-depth understanding and communication skills. Similarly, recommending the best fuel for specific sites and writing or installing custom energy management routines extend beyond rote procedures, involving judgment, assessment of site-specific variables, and the tailoring of solutions to unique conditions. These tasks often demand adaptive thinking and the ability to integrate diverse streams of knowledge—qualities not easily replicated by automated systems. Further constraining the extent of automation are bottleneck skills like originality, which, though measured at modest levels (3.3% and 3.6%), still play a critical role in the less automatable aspects of this occupation. Originality is essential when devising innovative solutions, customizing systems, or implementing novel approaches to meet evolving environmental standards or client needs. The presence of this skill, even at a relatively low proportion of overall tasks, acts as a significant barrier to full automation. As a result, while automation may reduce or transform routine aspects of the energy engineer’s role, significant components will remain human-driven for the foreseeable future due to their reliance on creative and interpersonal capabilities.