WEI's Dual Utility Fundamentals + Insights course covers the basics of the electric and natural gas systems. Topics include (1) Fundamentals of Electricity - generation, transmission, and distribution, (2) Customers and Distributed Energy Resources, (3) Natural Gas extraction, transmission, and distribution, (4) Customers and Usage, (5) Emerging Issues, and (6) How Utilities Make Money. WEI provides nearly 60 customized Utility Fundamentals classes every year, hosted by WEI Member Companies on-site, to provide a unique, individualized training experience for their employees. WEI also offers this course in Portland which is open to anyone. Contact WEI for more information.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics
- Program Location
- Virtual Event
- No travel required. All agenda times are in Pacific time. Instructions to access the virtual event will be provided before the program.
- Who Should Attend
Wondering if this course is right for you or your staff…
- Are you new to the energy industry?
- Have you worked in just one or two areas of the organization?
- Are you looking for a broader perspective of the business of electricity and emerging issues?
- Do you work for a service provider to the energy industry who wants to learn more about your customer?
If the answer is yes to any of these, this course was designed for you.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Not Applicable
- Participation Policy
- Registration for this course is limited to employees of Host Member Companies only.
- For more information contact Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics at (971) 303-2118.
Agenda
All session times are listed in Pacific time.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
6:30 AM - 7:00 AM
Virtual Help Desk + Technology Check
The room will open early with optional time for participants to get familiar with the virtual platform, test their audio and webcam, or ask questions about the agenda before we begin.
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
Participant Introductions and Roundtable
Students share their own backgrounds within and outside the energy industry and what they hope to learn throughout the day. Please be prepared to share at least three questions you hope to answer during the course.
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
Module 1: Fundamentals of Electricity
– Key influencers in the history of electricity
– Utility definitions and electricity terms
– Basics of how electricity is generated
– Electricity generation and “the Utility loop”
– Keys to power quality
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Break
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Module 2: Generation Choices
– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables
– Energy storage
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Module 3: Transmission Overview
– Service territories
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Module 4: Customers + Emerging Opportunities
– Types and expectations of electricity customers
– Customer care regulations
– Electric vehicles
– Solar programs – utility and customer
– Distributed Energy Resources
– The Trusted Energy Advisor
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Break
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Module 5: Distributed Energy Resources
– Energy storage
– Energy efficiency
– Electric Vehicles
– Distributed generation
– Demand response
Friday, February 19, 2021
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
GoToMeeting Open for Participants
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
Module 6: Extraction + Pipelines
– History of natural gas
– Key terms and definitions
– Natural gas sources and production
– Transmission and distribution infrastructure
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Break
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Module 7: Distribution Operations
– Essentials of gas operations
– System planning
– Resource management
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 8: Customers + Usage
– Consumption
– Gas supply and planning
– Factors that drive natural gas demand
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Module 9: Emerging Issues
– Infrastructure replacement
– Renewable gas
– Opportunities to grow demand
– Electrification + exports
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Module 10: How Utilities Make Money
– Types of utilities
– Common organizational structures
– Balancing interests of stakeholders
– Regulation and rate making fundamentals