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 in a one-day format at the WEI office in Portland, Oregon. WEI member companies may also host a class only for their employees to provide a unique, individualized training experience. Contact WEI for more information.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics
- 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
Member: $499 USD
Regular: $699 USDMember registration prices increase $100 after August 7, 2020. Regular registration prices will increase by $200. Registration includes course binder mailed directly to the participant upon request and two half-day interactive courses over the web.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Due to the uniqueness of this course, registration cancellations received within nine business days prior to the first day of class will be ineligible for refunds.
- Participation Policy
- Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
- For more information contact Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics at (971) 303-2118.
Agenda
All session times are listed in Pacific time.
Wednesday, September 2, 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
Thursday, September 3, 2020
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Day 1 Review
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Module 4: Generation Choices
– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables
– Energy storage
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 5: Customers + Emerging Opportunitie
– 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.