OPINIÓN THE cHangIng EnErgy LanDScapE Por albert thumann, PE, CEM . Executive Director. association of Energy Engineers In September 1977 I founded the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) as a non-pro t professional society. During our 38 year history AEE has grown to over 19,000 members in 90 countries. mar. albert Thumann, pE, cEm s a professional mechanical engineer with degrees in electrical and industrial engineering I realized there was a need to develop a new professional “Energy Engineer”. An integrated approach to electrical, mechanical and process systems was required along with skills in engineering economic analysis and management methods. In the beginning AEE developed training and certi cation programs to meet the needs of this new profession.AEE developed technical journals and conferences which helped the industry grow and mature. Subjects such as energy independence and high cost of oil and natural gas were addressed during those pioneering days. Today the US is a net exporter of fuels and the price of oil and gas as plummeted. There are many factors that still keep energy engineering and management a priority. cLImaTE cHangE Developing countries are using more energy than ever before. Carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change. The United States has established targets for reducing greenhouses which include: � Energy management technologies installed in over 350,000 government owned or leased buildings � Financing energy management projects by using Energy Service Companies and performance contracting � Mandating Renewable Energy instead of burning fossil fuels � More e cient transportation systems � More e cient building codes � Establishing benchmarks for energy use in buildings 42 www.energiadehoy.com