“The human side of energy”: A student’s experience at the Energy Advice Centre
What opportunities can university give you to put your skills into practice and make a difference? For Faisal, being a Student Advisor at the LSBU Energy Advice Centre has provided the chance to work with London residents on practical energy challenges, while developing skills in communication, problem-solving and teamwork. Following the Centre’s Green Gown Award nomination, he shares what he has learned from the experience.
What attracted you to the Energy Advice Centre?
It offered an opportunity to apply what I was learning through my Mechanical Engineering degree to a real-world issue. What particularly attracted me was the Centre's focus on helping people with practical energy-related challenges while also contributing to wider goals around sustainability and reducing energy use. I saw it as an opportunity to develop my technical and communication skills, gain experience outside the classroom, and make a positive difference to people's lives.
I enjoy being able to combine engineering knowledge with real community benefit, especially at a time when energy affordability and sustainability are major concerns
What does your role involve, and what have you enjoyed most?
My role involves helping London residents understand how to improve the energy performance of their homes and reduce their energy costs. This includes guiding people through practical steps such as insulation options, heating efficiency, behavioural changes, and available support schemes. I also help communicate technical information in a simple, accessible way so that every resident can make informed decisions.
I enjoy being able to combine engineering knowledge with real community benefit, especially in a time when energy affordability and sustainability are major concerns.
The biggest development for me has been learning to communicate technical information clearly and understandably
What skills have you developed through the experience?
The biggest development for me has been learning to communicate technical information clearly and understandably. As an engineer, it is important not only to understand a technical problem but also to explain it to someone without the same technical background.
I've also developed my problem-solving, teamwork and interpersonal skills. The experience has taught me to listen carefully, understand the situation before suggesting a solution, and adapt my approach depending on the person I am working with. These are skills I believe will be valuable in any engineering or energy-related career.
There is a very important human side to energy and sustainability. An efficient solution only has an impact if it's accessible, affordable and appropriate for the people who need it.
How does your degree connect to the Centre?
My Mechanical Engineering degree has given me a strong technical foundation for understanding energy, efficiency and how different systems operate. Topics such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics have helped me understand the technical side.
I believe my experience at the Energy Advice Centre will give me a much broader perspective. At university, it is easy to think about energy efficiency primarily in terms of improving the performance of a system. However, the Centre is demonstrating to me that there is also a very important human side to energy and sustainability. An efficient solution only has an impact if it is accessible, affordable and appropriate for the people who need it.
The experience is making me more interested in the wider energy sector and in careers where engineering can contribute to sustainability. It is helping me see that my engineering background can be applied not only to designing technology, but also to solving practical energy challenges that affect communities.
What does the Green Gown Award nomination mean to you?
For me, it demonstrates that sustainability is not only about ambitious environmental targets or new technologies. It is also about taking practical action that improves people's lives.
I think the Centre deserves this recognition because it brings together sustainability, education and community impact. It allows students to develop real-world skills while contributing to a meaningful cause. Moreover, it helps people understand and manage their energy in practical ways.
Being part of the Centre has also reinforced my belief that engineers have an important role to play in creating a more sustainable future.