Q: How did you first hear about the Energy Institute, and what motivated you to join?
A: My early career developed within the environment and waste sectors, and as my interest in energy emerged I joined the Energy Institute, originally at affiliate member status about 14 years ago. I undertook the Energy Institute’s Level 3 Advanced Energy Management Course, which proved to be a great stepping stone towards Chartered status. I then took advantage of ‘lockdown time’ to write my application for Chartered Energy Manager, which I’d been meaning to do for some time. I was really pleased to achieve that qualification.

Q: Tell us about your current job?
A: I became the Energy Manager at the Natural History Museum about a year and a half ago. I wanted to move into a new sector and have the challenge of working at a unique site, which has such a diversity of buildings; from Grade I listed through to new research laboratories.

Working at the museum is inspiring. The Natural History Museum is becoming a greener museum to help create a greener planet. It was the first museum in the world to set a science-based carbon reduction target. Our scientists are studying environmental climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution (including ocean plastics) and other human impacts on the natural world. Sustainability is already at the heart of the museum, and energy management is one of the key areas that feed into this, and we are working together to tackle our carbon emissions on our journey towards net zero by 2035.

I am responsible for all aspects of energy management; supporting museum operations, making improvements, and am generally on a mission to reduce our energy consumption. The ambition is to switch to greener technologies, prioritise energy efficiency and implement sustainable design. We’ve made a start by installing air and water source heat pump technologies. Our electricity is now generated from an onsite trigeneration energy centre which combines cooling, heat and power to reduce waste and save carbon. As part of managing this, I’ll also be looking into how we can continue to decarbonise our energy centre into the future.

I have been undertaking heat decarbonisation plans to review the existing plant, equipment and processes for our sites in South Kensington and Tring. These plans will help us develop our strategy, focus our priorities, and through funding opportunities help us invest in energy management improvements.

Previously, as the Energy and Environment Manager at London Luton Airport, I was responsible for energy management and reducing carbon emissions. I undertook a sitewide energy audit. The size of the task was vast, taking in the terminals, hangars, plant and equipment. But the outcome identified a potential 20% energy savings. A five-year capex plan for investment was developed to focus priorities and improvements. Working within an aviation environment means things are not always straightforward, and investigating different technology scenarios to identify the best fit for the airport was important. For instance, reviewing the use of renewable and emerging technologies, to meet the business target of 25% onsite generation.

Q: How has being an MEI benefited your career?
A: The Energy Institute has always been the most prominent organisation to me as an energy professional.

I suppose the culmination of my career, under encouragement from my CEO at the time, was a foray into Edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards in 2016. I won all three I entered, including ‘Energy Manager of the Year’, which was judged by the Energy Institute. It was great to get that external acknowledgement that you’re on the right track!

Jude Hughes was first profiled in 2022, when she discussed her earlier achievements and career progression.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.

You can find more information about EI Membership and the Shining a Spotlight on Energy People series here.