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.
Figure 1. Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi and colleagues from the City of Richmond celebrate the successful completion of a municipal lighting system upgrade project.
Question 2
Việt Ecology Press: You have been recognized for your leadership in developing programs that will help the City of Richmond achieve its Net Zero 2050 goal. Could you describe the principal strategies behind this initiative?
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi: Before answering your question, I would like to briefly explain what Net Zero means. Net Zero does not imply eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions. Rather, it means reducing emissions to the lowest feasible level through energy efficiency, electrification, and the deployment of clean energy, while balancing any remaining emissions through carbon sequestration or other carbon removal solutions. This is the long-term objective that many countries, including Canada and Vietnam, have committed to achieving by 2050 in support of the global effort to limit average temperature increase to approximately 1.5°C.
I would also like to clarify one point. I am not the author of the City of Richmond's Net Zero 2050 strategy. The Net Zero 2050 vision is a long-term strategic commitment adopted by the Richmond City Council.
More precisely, I serve as the Project Manager for the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Master Plan Study, a comprehensive planning initiative designed to establish a practical roadmap and identify the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal facilities in support of the City's Net Zero 2050 objective.
In my role as Corporate Energy Manager, I develop policy recommendations while leading the implementation of a broad portfolio of energy projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the City's infrastructure and public buildings.
Our strategy consists of several key components.
First, we maximize energy efficiency in existing buildings by optimizing the operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, upgrading to high-efficiency LED lighting, implementing advanced energy management systems, and continuously monitoring building performance through data-driven analytics.
Second, we accelerate the electrification of building systems by replacing fossil fuel-based equipment, particularly natural gas heating systems, with high-efficiency heat pumps wherever technically and economically appropriate.
Third, we deploy intelligent building controls that automatically adjust operations according to actual occupancy and demand, thereby minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.
Fourth, we leverage financial incentives and funding opportunities available through organizations such as BC Hydro, FortisBC, and various provincial and federal government programs to reduce capital investment costs and improve project feasibility.
Fifth, we establish rigorous systems for monitoring, measurement, and verification to ensure that every project delivers measurable energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions, providing accountability for public investment.
Finally, while technology plays an essential role, we place equal emphasis on the human dimension through communication, education, and behavioral change initiatives. In my experience, even the most advanced technologies can only achieve their full potential when the people who operate and occupy buildings understand them, embrace them, and actively participate in using them efficiently.
One of our most significant accomplishments in 2025 was the successful conversion of the Richmond City Hall heating and cooling system to high-efficiency heat pump technology. As the operational heart of municipal government and public services, City Hall presented both a technical challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The project reduced the building's operational greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 65 percent, while maintaining reliable performance and a comfortable indoor environment for employees and the public alike.
Figure 2. The lighting upgrade project implemented by Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi and his team across five municipal facilities was selected by the City of Richmond as one of its official Success Stories, highlighting exemplary inter-departmental collaboration and sustainable infrastructure development.
Question 3
Việt Ecology Press: How were you able to persuade the City to adopt and implement these ambitious initiatives, given the technical and financial challenges involved?
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi: In my view, the single most important factor is to build the case with evidence rather than ideas alone.
Whenever we propose a project, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes capital costs, operating expenses, projected energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions, technical risks, operational and maintenance requirements, and the long-term financial implications for the City.
At the same time, we actively pursue external funding opportunities and financial incentives to reduce the City's upfront capital investment and improve the economic viability of each project.
Another key ingredient for success is cross-departmental collaboration. Energy projects are never solely engineering projects. They also involve finance, procurement, facilities operations, asset management, and senior administration. When all stakeholders understand the long-term environmental and financial benefits, implementation becomes significantly more effective.
I believe an engineer's responsibility extends well beyond designing sound technical solutions. Equally important is the ability to communicate those solutions in terms that decision-makers, senior administrators, and elected officials can readily understand. Technical excellence alone is rarely sufficient; engineering proposals must also be translated into clear business cases that support informed policy decisions.
However, technical expertise is only one part of the equation.
The indispensable foundation is long-term vision and sustained leadership commitment. The consistent policy direction provided by the Richmond City Council, together with complementary support from the provincial and federal governments, has created an environment in which long-term energy strategies can be implemented systematically and produce lasting results.
When technical innovation is supported by sound public policy, stable leadership, and institutional commitment, meaningful progress toward a Net Zero future becomes not only achievable but sustainable.
Figure 3. A representative of FortisBC presents the Energy Specialist Program Award to Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi. Visible in the background is the SolarWall® system, an innovative solar air heating technology for schools that Thi managed as part of an energy conservation initiative.
Figure 4. The Energy Specialist Program Award presented to Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi in recognition of outstanding achievements in sustainable energy management.
Question 4
Việt Ecology Press: As a final question, do you think the approaches you have helped advance in Richmond could serve as a model or provide useful lessons for the Mekong Delta (Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long) and the Red River Delta (Đồng bằng sông Hồng) in addressing climate change and sea-level rise?
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi: Richmond and communities in Vietnam have very different economic, social, climatic, infrastructure, and resource conditions. The way municipal governments are organized and operated is also different. However, there are many valuable lessons that can be shared, and several fundamental principles are broadly applicable.
First, decision-making should be based on reliable data, scientific analysis, and a clear understanding of long-term impacts.
Second, priority should be given to solutions that simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower operating costs. These approaches are often the most effective in building broad support because they demonstrate both environmental responsibility and economic value.
Third, successful green transformation requires the integration of policy, technology, and financial resources. The transition toward a low-carbon future will accelerate when appropriate mechanisms, incentives, and institutional support are established.
For the Mekong Delta and the Red River Delta, climate adaptation is as important as emissions reduction. Challenges such as sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, flooding, and increasingly extreme weather events require comprehensive strategies that combine resilience planning with sustainable development. I believe that improving energy efficiency, expanding clean energy deployment, and constructing low-carbon infrastructure can become important components of a broader solution.
However, as I mentioned earlier, the most critical factor remains the presence of long-term vision and sustained commitment from leadership at all levels.
My greatest hope is that the knowledge and experience accumulated during my professional journey in Canada can make a small but meaningful contribution to Vietnam's future green transition.
Figure 5. Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi with Richmond School District leaders receiving the Efficiency in Action Award in recognition of outstanding achievements in energy efficiency initiatives.
Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi, P.Eng., CEM, MEL, M.Eng.
Vancouver, July 10, 2026
Interview conducted by Việt Ecology Press
Photographs and materials provided by Nguyễn Đăng Anh Thi. [Translated from Vietnamese by ChatGPT; revised by VEP.]
