Exam Prep
Energy
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Comprehensive Prep
The ultimate engineering and management blueprint to optimize commercial or industrial utility performance and successfully clear the gold-standard global energy certification.
📅 Date
Jul 26 - 30, 2027
📍 Location
Nairobi, Kenya
⏱️ Duration
5 Days (4 Days Instruction + 1 Day Review & Exam)
💰 Investment
Contact for Pricing
🎯
Target Audience
Engineers, Sustainability Managers, Facility Directors, and Energy Consultants.
Course Curriculum
Day 1: Foundations & Energy Auditing
The first day establishes the "Energy Baseline." You’ll learn how to quantify energy use and navigate the regulatory landscape.
01
Module 1 & 2: Strategy, Auditing & Instrumentation
- The Energy Manager’s Role: Global trends, sustainability, and ethics.
- ASHRAE Standard 211: Executing Level I, II, and III field audits.
- Diagnostic Tools: Using data loggers, ultrasonic flow meters, and thermal cameras.
02
Module 3 & 4: Accounting, Tariffs & Codes
- Metrics: Energy Use Index (EUI) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting.
- Utility Structures: Demand charges, power factor ratchets, and time-of-use (TOU) rates.
- Compliance Standards: ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62.1 (Ventilation), and ISO 50001 core frameworks.
Day 2: Energy Economics & Electrical Systems
Day 2 is about "The Business Case"—mastering the math required to get projects approved and managing the largest utility expense: Electricity.
03
Module 5: Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
- Time Value of Money: Mastering Net Present Value (NPV), IRR, and Simple Payback calculations.
- Financial Optimization: Accounting for tax benefits, depreciation, and utility cash incentives.
04
Module 6 & 7: Power Systems & Lighting
- Power Quality: Power Factor Correction math, voltage imbalance mitigation, and IEEE 519 harmonics.
- Illumination Engineering: Lumen maintenance, Lighting Power Density (LPD), and LED retrofits.
- Controls: Occupancy networks, daylight harvesting, and industrial IoT deployment.
Day 3: Mechanical Systems & The Building Envelope
We dive into the "Heavy Lifters"—the systems that typically consume 40-60% of a facility’s energy.
05
Module 8 & 9: HVAC, Motors & Variable Drives
- Thermodynamics: Vapor Compression Cycle, COP, EER, and SEER benchmarks.
- Psychrometrics: Navigating charts to isolate and optimize sensible vs. latent cooling loops.
- Affinity Laws: Calculating precise fluid-dynamic savings from Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).
- Motors: Matching field applications to NEMA Premium efficiency benchmarks.
06
Module 10: Building Envelope
- Thermal Dynamics: Modeling conduction (U-values and R-values), convection, and solar heat gain.
- Air Balance: Engineering targeted infiltration reduction vs. mechanical ventilation parameters.
Day 4: Thermal Systems & Advanced Automation
Day 4 focuses on combustion, steam, and the "Brain" of the building—automation systems.
07
Module 11 & 12: Boilers, CHP & Renewable Integration
- Combustion Systems: Efficiency calculations, steam traps, blowdown optimization, and waste heat recovery.
- Cogeneration: Analyzing Topping vs. Bottoming thermodynamic cycles.
- Microgrids: Sizing solar PV arrays and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for peak shaving.
08
Module 13: Building Automation Systems (BAS)
- Control Architecture: Direct Digital Control (DDC) topologies and open networks (BACnet, LonWorks).
- Smart Controls: Transitioning to AI-driven setpoint tracking and cloud architecture.
Day 5: Synthesis, Review & Certification Exam
The final day transitions from learning to execution.
09
Morning Session: Final Review & Practice Problems
- Formula Intensive: Fast-track synthesis of the 100+ formulas required for the exam.
- M&V Data: Measurement & Verification criteria covering IPMVP Options A, B, C, and D.
- Lifecycle Auditing: Navigating standard Maintenance, Commissioning (Cx), Retro-Commissioning (RCx), and Continuous Commissioning (CCx).
10
Afternoon Session: Official CEM Certification Exam
- Structure: 4-hour proctored evaluation.
- Format: Open-book methodology, containing approximately 130 comprehensive questions.
🚀 Learning Outcomes
- ✔ Quantify energy savings for complex mechanical and electrical retrofits.
- ✔ Perform detailed financial analysis including NPV and SIR (Savings-to-Investment Ratio).
- ✔ Identify low-cost/no-cost operational improvements in any commercial or industrial facility.
- ✔ Lead a multidisciplinary team through a professional energy audit process.
Ready to earn your CEM Designation?
Corporate team registration and custom training slots are now open.