Q: Tell us your background and how you first became interested in energy?
A: I grew up in Nigeria and worked as a civil engineer, designing reinforced concrete and steel structures. When I became a projects engineer, I supervised the construction of multi-storey buildings and roads in Nigeria.

Most engineers I knew in the civil area went for geotechnical, hydrology or structural engineering for their master’s programme. I wanted something more contemporary and a little different from my peers, and so I decided on taking on environmental engineering for my postgraduate study.

Also, I had often wondered why the abundance of sunshine was not exploited to our advantage. In my masters degree programme at South Bank University London, my dissertation was on the application of solar energy in the tropics. I did a quantitative comparison between the conventional vapour compression system and the solar absorption system for a tropical climate. This was how my life changed from designing building structures to energy services.

Later, I worked in energy management and particularly remember attending a conference on the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change at the International Maritime Organisation, which heightened my interest in the subject. I decided to go for a doctorate degree (again at South Bank University) with a thesis on the environmental impact of greenhouse gases. This was how carbon reduction became my passion.

Q: How did you first hear about the Energy Institute and what motivated you to join?
A: I first heard about the Energy Institute while working with Atkins at the Chilbrook office in Oxford. At the time, Atkins was managing the Carbon Trust.

I had been trained as a licensed energy assessor for energy audits and lodgement of energy certificates. As energy efficiency engineers, we examined the business cases submitted by organisations applying for grants under the Salix scheme for reducing carbon emissions, and conducted inspections a year after installation to clarify if the claimed reduction was true. The role was high profile; the subject was very contemporary internationally and tied in perfectly with my doctorate degree subject.

Working in this field, it became necessary to have membership of the Energy Institute, to give me authoritative standing in the work I did. It would also provide the platform to relate with a wide network of energy experts. I approached a director in Atkins who was a Fellow of the EI to give me the required mentoring to seek chartership.

Around the same time, I started to attend meetings of the EI’s London and Home Counties Branch, initially to hear events on climate change.

Now, I have been a member of the EI for about 16 years. Over this time, I have volunteered on the Committee of the London and Home Counties Branch – and eventually Chaired that group. I later served as an Energy Institute Trustee and am currently the Deputy Chair of the Membership Panel.

Q: Tell us about your current job and industry, and how your work is contributing towards a just transition to net zero?
A: My current job is CEO of Doxxy Energy. It supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) ‘affordable and clean energy’. We offer advice on doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency, adopting a greater share of renewables in the energy mix, and raising awareness about the issues of access to electricity and clean cooking in developing countries. I am responsible for business development and keeping the firm afloat. The most enjoyable aspect is fulfilling the contribution to energy solutions leading to net zero. The challenge is securing finance for large-scale ventures.

I have found that the energy consultancy market has changed over the years, due to factors such as governmental policies, technology advancements and the needs of clients. Governmental regulations and policies such as the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Plan, and commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, require consultants to handle issues like compliance. Introduction of AI into the energy industry also requires client support in order to be competitive.

Businesses now expect energy consultants to provide whole life-cycle solutions; assessing costs alone are no longer enough. Clients require advice on energy security, sustainability and productivity gains. Private investment also has significant impact and consultants facilitate access to such funds.  

Q: How has being Chartered and an FEI benefitted your career?
A: Fellowship of the Energy Institute has given me a belief that my work in the industry is well recognised. It has also spurred me to do more at every opportunity. I feel empowered to speak about the work of the EI in championing good practice and provision of technical knowledge internationally.

Getting involved with the Energy Institute has provided me the opportunity to give something back to society, in concert with being naturalised as a British Citizen.

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.

If you’re keen to follow in Dr Boma’s footsteps, click here to find more about how to become a Fellow of the Energy Institute (FEI).