This program provides utility and service company employees with a broad understanding of how the electric utility industry works and a better awareness of their own roles within their organizations. Topics include (1) Fundamentals of Electricity, (2) Western North American Electricity Markets, (3) How Utilities Make Money, (4) Generation Choices, (5) Customers + Emerging Opportunities, (6) Distributed Energy Resources, and (7) Integrated Resource Planning. The class is delivered virtually over two half-days and in a one-day format at the host utility's chosen location. WEI provides nearly 100 customized Utility Fundamentals classes each year, hosted by WEI Member Companies on-site, to provide a unique, individualized training experience for their employees. Contact WEI for more information.
Wondering if this course is right for you or your staff…
If the answer is yes to any of these, this course was designed for you.
Member: $229 USD
Regular: $229 USD
Registration includes course binder mailed directly to participant if requested and registered 14 calendar days before the course. Course is two half-days of an interactive course over the web. Only Southern California Edison employees and their invited guests may register for this course.
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Virtual Help Desk + Technology Check
The GoToMeeting room will open at 8:30 AM in the morning. Please join early to test your system as we will start the class promptly at 9:00 AM.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Participant Introductions
Students share their own backgrounds from within and outside the energy industry and what they hope to learn throughout the day.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 1: Fundamentals of Electricity
– Key influencers in the history of electricity
– Utility definitions and electricity terms
– AC vs DC power, transformers and the electric grid
– Electricity generation and “the Utility loop”
– Keys to power quality
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
We plan breaks throughout the day for participants to check email, answer calls, and other work requirements.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Module 2: Generation Choices
– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables and future sources
– Grid-scale energy storage
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Break for Lunch
12:45 PM - 2:15 PM
Module 3: How Utilities Make Money
– Types of electricity service providers
– Common organizational structures
– Regulation and rate making fundamentals
– Cost-of-Service ratemaking exercise
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
GoToMeeting Room Open for Participants
Join early to chat with instructors and colleagues before the course.
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Day 1 Review
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Module 4: Western North American Electricity Markets
– Service territories
– Federal regulators and departments
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Module 5: Customers + Emerging Opportunities
– Types and expectations of electricity customers
– Customer care regulations
– Grid hardening + resiliency
– Solar programs and impacts to utilities
– the Trusted Energy Advisor
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 6: Distributed Energy Resources
– Energy storage
– Energy efficiency
– Transportation electrification
– Distributed generation
– Demand response
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.