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. Curriculum is customized for your organization and can be expanded, contracted or modified to address your specific needs. The hosted program provides 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
- Puget Sound Energy - Bothell Building O
- 20111 120th Ave.
Bothell, WA 98011 - 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 for the the upcoming Electric Utility Fundamentals + Insights that will be held in Portland on February 21, 2019, which is open to all utilities and service companies, is available here.
- 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
Thursday, December 6, 2018
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration and Check-In
The course will start promptly at 8 AM. Please arrive early to check in.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Participant Introductions
Students share their utility industry background and what they hope to learn throughout the day. Please be prepared to share at least one thing you hope to gain from taking this class.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Western North American Electricity Markets
– Service territories
– Federal regulators and departments
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
How Utilities Make Money
– Types of utilities (Investor-Owned Utilities, Municipal and Public Utility Districts, Co-Ops, etc.)
– Common organizational structures
– Balancing interests of stakeholders
– Regulation and rate making fundamentals
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break for Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Generation Choices
– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables
– Energy storage
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Customers + Emerging Opportunities
– Types and expectations of electricity customers
– Customer care regulations
– Electric vehicles
– Solar programs – utility and customer
– Demand response and Distributed Energy Resources
– The trusted energy advisor model
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Strategic Planning
– Forecasting demand
– Meeting demand with resource portfolios
– Scenario planning and modeling
– Vetting the IRP and preferred portfolio
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Q&A and Wrap-Up
We circle back to the original expectations of students to ensure that expectations were met.