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. The class is delivered in a one-day, eight-hour format and is delivered twice annually at the WEI office in Portland, Oregon. It is regularly hosted by WEI member companies for their own employees only to provide a unique, individualized training experience.
This course is designed for utility and service company employees seeking to broaden their understanding of the operations and business aspects of the electricity industry.
Member: $499 USD
Regular: $999 USD
Member registration price increases $100 after March 17, 2017. Regular registration price increases $200. Registration includes all course materials, continental breakfast, and a catered lunch.
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration Open
Continental breakfast provided (pastries, coffee, yogurt)
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 imbalance markets
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
Catered Lunch (hosted)
Please provide any dietary constraints with your registration.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Generation Choice
• 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 PM
Emerging Issues
• Distributed energy resources
• Net energy metering
• Carbon regulation
• Trusted energy provider business model
• The data avalanches for utilities
• Customer disintermediation
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