This program provides utility and service company employees a broader understanding of how the electric utility industry works, and a better awareness of their own roles within their organizations. Participants gain a broader comprehension of critical issues affecting the electric industry, and the interaction between utilities and their stakeholders. Examples from your organization are incorporated into the curriculum to provide a unique, individualized training experience for 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, Sr. Program Manager, Western Energy Institute
- 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.
- Registration Options
Registration to this event is limited to employees or members of the host organization only and their invited guests. For more information on what course options are available to you please contact the Western Energy Institute.
- 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
Monday, August 17, 2020
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
GoToWebinar Open for Participants
The GoToWebinar will open at 8:30 AM in the morning. Please join early as we will start the class promptly at 9:00 AM.
9:00 AM - 9:30 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.
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
We will have several planned breaks throughout the day for participants to check email, answer calls, and check in with daily work requirements.
9:45 AM - 10:45 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
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 2: Western North American Electricity Markets
– Service territories
– Federal regulators and departments
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break for Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Module 3: How Utilities Make Money
– Types of utilities
– Common organizational structures
– Balancing interests of stakeholders
– Regulation and rate making fundamentals
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
8:00AM - 8:15AM
Day 1 Review
8:15AM - 9:15AM
Module 4: Generation Choices
– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables
– Energy storage
9:15AM - 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 5: 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
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 6: Distributed Energy Resources + Module 7: Integrated Resource Planning
– Energy storage
– Energy efficiency
– Electric Vehicles
– Distributed generation
– Demand response
– Meeting demand with resource portfolios
– Scenario planning and modeling
– The preferred portfolio and vetting The IRP.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Q&A and Wrap-Up
We circle back to the original expectations of students to ensure that expectations were met.