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.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Eric Christenson, Western Energy Institute
- Program Location
- Puget Sound Energy
- 355 110th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004 - Who Should Attend
- Experienced professionals, newly hired into the energy industry
- Seasoned energy employees who have only been in few functional areas for much of their careers
- Identified high performers who should fast-track their understanding of the industry
- All employees who will benefit from understanding the history of the business, fundamentals of electricity, and emerging issues and facing western North American energy companies
- Registration Options
Registration for the the upcoming Electric Utility Fundamentals + Insights that is open to all utilities and service companies in Portland on April 5, 2017 is available here.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Not applicable.
- Participation Policy
- Registration for this course is limited to employees of Puget Sound only.
- For more information contact Eric Christenson, Senior Program Manager at (971) 303-2118.
Agenda
Thursday, March 23, 2017
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Participant Introductions
Students share their utility industry background and define expectations for key deliverables throughout the day.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Background and Basics of Electricity
– Key influencers in the history of electricity
– Utility definitions and electricity terms
– 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 (IOUs, Munis, Co-Ops, etc.)
– Common organizational structures
– Balancing interests of stakeholders
– State and Provincial Regulation and rate making fundamentals
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break for Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Generation Choices
– How Electricity is generated
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generations
– Today's renewables
– Grid energy storage
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:15 AM
Emerging Issues
– Distributed energy resources
– Net energy metering
– Carbon regulation
– Trusted energy provider business model
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Customer Engagement
– Types of electric customers and expectations for service
– Changes to electricity demand
– Load and demand-side management options
– Customer care regulations
– Emerging customer programs (solar, provider choice, electric vehicles, the “smart home”)
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Q&A and Wrap-Up
We circle back to the original expectations of student to ensure that expectations are met
5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Adjourn