Voices from an Intern: My Introduction to the World of Energy Efficiency

The energy sector can feel like an intimidating space to enter as a young professional. Complex technologies and confusing metrics often scare away skeptical college grads. However, my experience has taught me that with a curiosity for learning and a passion for the environment, the energy sector offers incredible opportunities to jumpstart a career. Before my internship with RENEW, energy efficiency was a foreign industry to me. It was my interest in real estate and green technology that introduced me to the world of retrofits and efficiency upgrades. The concept of transforming the buildings in which we live, work, play and create into modern and efficient spaces immediately captured me. Additionally, the RENEW team and approach align with my core values. Employees come to work every day eager to do their part in making the world a better place and leaving it cleaner than they found it, and that is the kind of team I am proud to be a part of.

Having the opportunity to work with the RENEW team provided me an incredible introduction to the energy efficiency industry. As an intern, analyzing energy policy and trends elucidated that the company is situated in an incredible place in the market. As more and more building owners, companies, cities, and states commit to energy savings and reducing their carbon footprint, deep energy retrofits prove to be a prime target to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Deep energy retrofits have the ability to bring outdated, inefficient buildings toward the goal of carbon neutrality. This is a win-win for building owners because they realize enormous energy savings, improve conditions for tenants, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. I believe that more and more young, talented candidates will be drawn to the energy efficiency industry because there is immense opportunity for career growth and it enables young people passionate about our impact on the environment to take responsibility in reshaping our future.

Additionally, RENEW’s approach makes energy solutions accessible for all. With no upfront capital spend, a turn-key, low risk approach, and an experienced team and network, it seems crazy for building owners to not get on board. Whether their priority is energy savings or reducing their carbon footprint, delaying energy retrofits is only setting building owners back. As buildings and their equipment deteriorate, these upgrades are inevitable. Therefore, building owners should act now to realize energy savings and maximize their energy efficiency.

Why work with RENEW? With no upfront capital spend, buildings owners can stop worrying about capital constraints or competing business priorities. One of the key features of RENEW’s solution is that there is no long-term debt added to building owners’ balance sheet. RENEW takes on the risk so that building owners do not have to. RENEW manages and funds 100% of the assessment, design, equipment, installation costs, and ongoing maintenance. Building owners pay RENEW for the energy services they provide that help achieve energy and operating cost savings. It is that easy. It is difficult to fathom why building owners would take on more risk and explore other financing solutions such as bank loans or leasing agreements. Moreover, RENEW’s turnkey process ensures that deep energy retrofits are planned, managed, and executed to maximize energy savings, increase property value, minimize disruption for tenants, adhere to building code, and guarantees energy savings are met as designed. There exists no better low-risk, high-reward energy efficiency solution than working with RENEW.

Nick Katz is scheduled to graduate from Tufts in May, 2019. He is hoping the Tufts lacrosse team on which he plays will compete for the national championship in the meantime.