Feb

23-24

Electric Utility Fundamentals + Insights – WEI Hosted – Virtual (Feb 23-24)

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) Generation Choices, (3) How Utilities Make Money, (4) Transmission + Electricity Markets, (5) Distributed Energy Resources, (6) Electric Utility Customers, and (7) Emerging Issues. The class is delivered virtually over two half-days or in a one-day format at the WEI office in Portland, Oregon. WEI member companies may also host a customized on-line or in-person course exclusively for their own employees to provide a unique, individualized training experience. Contact WEI for more information.

Register Now

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 to the attendee 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: $399 USD
    Regular: $499 USD

    Registration prices increase $100 after February 3, 2023. This interactive course is delivered virtually over two half-days. A course workbook will be mailed directly to participants upon request. All participants will receive a PDF copy of the course workbook.

  • 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. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
  • 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 + Engagement at (971) 303-2118.

Agenda

All session times are listed in Pacific time.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Virtual Help Desk + Technology Check

The room will open at 8:45 AM. Please join early to check your tech and ask questions before we start the class promptly at 9:00 AM.

9:00 AM - 9:30 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.

9:30 AM - 10:30 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

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Break

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

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Break for Lunch

12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Module 3: How Utilities Make Money

– Types of utilities
– Common organizational structures
– Balancing interests of stakeholders
– Regulation and rate making fundamentals

Friday, February 24, 2023

7:45 AM - 8:00 AM

Virtual Room Open for Participants

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Day 1 Review

8:15 AM - 9:00 AM

Module 4: Transmission + Electricity Markets

– Service territories
– Federal regulators and departments
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing and imbalance markets

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Break

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Module 5: Distributed Energy Resources

– Demand response
– Energy storage
– Energy efficiency
– Transportation Electrification
– Distributed generation

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Module 6: Electric Utility Customers

– Types and expectations of electricity customers
– Evolution of the energy customer
– Customer touch points and the Trusted Energy Advisor goal

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Break

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Module 7: Emerging Issues

– Grid Hardening + Resiliency
– Solar generation + Impacts from Variable Energy Resources
– Long-Term Resource Planning

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.

Meet The Speakers

Eric Christenson

Western Energy Institute

Director of Program Curriculum + Engagement
Learn More

Eric Christenson brings 20 years’ industry experience and an inextinguishable energy for new ideas to the Western Energy Institute team.

In his role as Director of Program Curriculum + Engagement, Mr. Christenson works to ensure key industry information and education are available to all WEI Members and others in the energy business. He leads a team that provides nearly seventy courses annually to thousands of industry professionals. He also supports overall Member engagement and his teammates with his professional background in database marketing experience, analytics, and business consulting.

Mr. Christenson joined WEI after a wonderful career at Portland General Electric. While at PGE he developed and managed the company’s Enterprise Risk Management program and his ability to grasp complicated, interconnected opportunities brought him to work with several other areas including operations benchmarking, regulatory affairs, fleet services, AMI, and finance.

Prior to joining PGE, Mr. Christenson developed his skills in a leading internet marketing company and is role leading Strategy and Analysis at a lending company.

Mr Christenson earned his Bachelors in Mathematics and also in Economics from the University of Oregon. He has served the community as a past President of the Oregon Society of Association Management and Vice President of the Greater Portland Soccer District, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Washington County’s citizen advisory organization.

Bob Kendall

M.J. Beck Consulting LLC

Senior Advisor

Kristin Stathis

Ernst and Young LLP

Consultant, SMR / Instructor