Việt Ecology Press
Interview with Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi
| Recognizing Our July 2026 Member of the Month The AEE Member of the Month program celebrates outstanding members for their dedication and impact, and we are proud to honor Thi Nguyen as our July honoree. Thi is the Corporate Energy Manager for the City of Richmond, leading initiatives to reduce energy use, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and advance the City’s net-zero by 2050 target. With two engineering master’s degrees and a track record of innovation, Thi is passionate about advancing the triple bottom line. Learn more about Thi’s achievements. Submit a nomination for next month’s spotlight. |
Introduction
The global energy revolution gained momentum in the wake of the oil crises of 1973 and 1979, when the world suddenly recognized the finite nature of energy resources and the risks of dependence on imported oil. Governments were compelled to develop urgent strategies to strengthen energy security while pursuing the most cost-effective means of sustaining economic growth, protecting the environment, and mitigating climate change.
Technological innovation has been the driving force behind this transformation. It has enabled societies to enjoy greater prosperity and a higher standard of living while consuming less energy through improved efficiency and smarter technologies. Engineering has demonstrated that humanity can overcome its own habit of wasting energy.
In the United States, gross domestic product (GDP) has more than tripled since the early 1970s, while total energy consumption has increased by only about 50 percent. Globally, between 1970 and 2019, GDP expanded approximately 4.5-fold, whereas primary energy consumption grew by only about 2.8-fold. After five decades of experience, energy efficiency and renewable energy continue to be recognized as the world's "first fuel," delivering substantial economic and environmental benefits while serving as essential pillars in limiting global temperature rise.
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Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi
Biography and Professional Background
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi, P.Eng., CEM, MEL, M.Eng. is a senior energy professional and international consultant specializing in energy management and sustainable development in Canada and Southeast Asia. With more than twenty-five years of professional experience, he has worked across a broad spectrum of organizations, including international consulting firms, private enterprises, development agencies, and public-sector institutions. His work has focused on advancing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
Education and Professional Credentials
- Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering, University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada.
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Environmental Technology, Institute for Environment and Resources, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Canada.
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Association of Energy Engineers, an internationally recognized professional designation.
Professional Career
Throughout his career, Thi has served in senior consulting and management roles for numerous international organizations and global consulting firms, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Deloitte Consulting, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Indochina Capital Corporation, Black & Veatch, and ERM (Environmental Resources Management).
In addition to his consulting work, he is a regular contributor to leading publications such as VnExpress and Mekong Eye, where he writes on environmental governance, energy management, renewable energy development, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. His articles aim to promote public awareness while contributing practical policy perspectives for Vietnam's sustainable development.
Honors and Awards
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)’s Member of the Month, July 2026.
Recognition for the "Efficient Lighting for Safer Spaces" Project, City of Richmond, 2025.
Energy Specialist Program Award (2022), presented by FortisBC for an innovative behavioral change program promoting sustainable energy use.
Efficiency in Action Award (2020), presented by FortisBC for outstanding achievements in innovative energy-efficiency projects.
Companion Award (2017), presented by Tuổi Trẻ newspaper for the article "Environmental Protection Tax Law: A Comprehensive Reform Is Needed."
Featured in Richmond News for his inspiring personal story describing his lifelong journey, from cycling as a child in rural Vietnam to rediscovering himself three decades later through cycling in Richmond, British Columbia.
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Interview with Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi
Question 1
Việt Ecology Press: Could you tell our readers about the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the international organization that recognized you as its Member of the Month for July 2026?
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi: The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is an international professional organization founded in the United States in 1977. Today, it brings together more than 18,500 professionals from 144 countries, working in the fields of energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon reduction, and sustainable development.
Beyond establishing professional standards, AEE provides internationally recognized certifications, such as the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential, organizes global conferences and technical forums, and fosters a worldwide network of professionals dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for the energy transition.
Being selected as AEE's Member of the Month for July 2026 is a tremendous honor for me. The Member of the Month program, launched in October 2025, recognizes one outstanding member each month for exceptional contributions to energy efficiency and sustainable development.
To date, only ten members worldwide have received this distinction. Three of them are based in Canada, and I am privileged to be among them. What makes this recognition even more meaningful is that I am the first representative from a Canadian municipal government to be honored through this program.
I regard this award not only as recognition of my own work but also as a tribute to the outstanding teams with whom I have had the privilege of working, first at the Richmond School District and now with the City of Richmond.
I am equally pleased that this recognition helps introduce Vietnamese engineers and energy professionals to the international professional community, demonstrating the valuable contributions that people of Vietnamese heritage are making to the global transition toward a more sustainable energy future.
