This professional training course is designed for relay technicians, electrical/power plant technicians, engineers and protective relay test specialists offers students the opportunity to exchange ideas, resolve problems in open forums, and learn preventative and corrective methods through hands-on labs. Eight tracks are available: Basic, Distribution, Transmission, Generation, Electromechanical, Computerized Relay Testing, Automation/Integration, and Theory. Students also attend six hours of open classroom lectures covering system protection topics, where they can select from 12 topic choices. The school is sponsored by Western Energy Institute. CEU credits available through Eastern Washington University.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Chris Gallacher, Electrical Engineer RAS / Disturbance (TOOC), Bonneville Power Administration
- Program Location
- Eastern Washington University
- 526 5th St, Cheney, Washington 99004
- Who Should Attend
- Relay technicians
- Electrical/power plant technicians
- Engineers
- Protective relay test specialists
- Applications + Registration
Applications for the 2024 school are closed. Applications for the 2025 school will open November 1, 2024.
Vendor Display registration is open. Please see the Vendor Displays tab for more information.
Review the 2024 Hands-On Relay School brochure to learn more about this year’s school.
Explore the 2023 Hands-On Relay School Annual Report for additional information about the school in general.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Your full registration fee will be refunded if WEI receives your written cancellation notice by March 1, 2024. Cancellations made after March 1 are subject to a processing fee of $350. Students who do not attend and have not cancelled by March 15 are responsible for the full application fee. Substitutions for the same track may be made at any time.Cancellations and substitutions should be emailed to: woolf@westernenergy.org
- 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 Beverly Woolf, Director of Programs at (971) 303-2294.
Agenda
Sunday, March 24, 2024
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Facilitator Lab Station Set-up
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Registration + Reception
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Facilitator Meeting
Monday, March 25, 2024
6:45 AM - 7:30 AM
Registration
7:30 AM - 7:40 AM
Welcome + Announcements
7:40 AM - 8:00 AM
Safety Presentation
8:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Track Overview Lectures
9:40 AM - 9:50 AM
Break
9:50 AM - 10:50 AM
Concurrent Open Lectures
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Concurrent Open Lectures
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
7:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Concurrent Open Lectures
9:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Concurrent Open Lectures
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Suppliers Showcase
Grand Ballroom
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
322 N Spokane Falls Court
Spokane, Washington 99201
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
7:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
HRS Student Social
Flatstick Pub
618 W Main Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
Thursday, March 28, 2024
7:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Hands-On Experience in the Lab
Friday, March 29, 2024
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Closing Remarks
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Friday Feature Presentations
Additional Information
Review the 2024 Hands-On Relay School brochure to learn more about this year’s school.
View and download the schedule for the 2024 school.
If you wish to receive Continuing Education credits (CEUs) for your participation in this course, add this item to your cart. Receiving CEUs are optional, and cost $90.00. Requires completion of form with instructors’ approval submitted onsite to WEI staff to process with Eastern Washington University.
Applications
Application Process + Fees
• Student applications for the 2024 school are closed.
• Priority is given to utilities providing Lab Facilitators, Lecturers, Steering Committee Support, and Western Energy Institute member utilities, if the Application is received by January 15, 2024. The remaining slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Applicants select which track they wish to attend in order of preference. Every effort will be made to place students into their preferred track, but track placement is by availability and subject to the priorities as described above. Many tracks will fill up and students may not be able to get their preferred track.
• Students will be notified in writing no later than February 10, 2024, of their acceptance into the school and track placement. You are not accepted to attend until you receive the confirmation of acceptance from WEI.
• School fee of $700 includes electronic copies of lecture notes, Sunday night reception, Tuesday night Suppliers’ Showcase, Wednesday night Student Social and break refreshments.
• Payment is due at the time of registration. Once invoiced you will have two weeks to secure a spot in the school. If payment is not received the school reserves the right to fill your spot with other applicants.
Call for Lab Facilitators
If you are an experienced relay technician who is willing to share your knowledge with others, you can attend the Hands-On Relay School as a Lab Facilitator. Lab Facilitators work with groups of three students testing relays and may attend all classroom lectures and school activities. Lab Facilitators are not required to pay the application fee and their company receives priority points for students applying for the school.
Hotel + Travel
Davenport Grand Hotel
333 W Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 458-3330
Make your reservations online or by calling the hotel directly at 509-458-3330. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute Hands On Relay School to receive a special rate of $185USD per night plus state and local taxes. A nightly $10 Destination Amenity Fee, plus a local $4 tourism assessment fee also apply and include access to hotel amenities. This rate is guaranteed until February 29, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full.
Best Western Plus Peppertree Airport Inn
3711 S Geiger Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99224
Phone: (509) 624-4655
Make your reservations online or by calling the hotel directly at (509) 624-4655. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute Hands On Relay School to receive a special rate of $160 USD per night plus state and local taxes. This rate is guaranteed until February 23, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full.
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
322 N Spokane Falls Court
Spokane, Washington 99201
Phone: (800) 757-6131
Make your reservations online or by calling the hotel directly at 800-757-6131. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute Hands On Relay School to receive a special rate of $179 USD per night plus state and local taxes. This rate is guaranteed until March 8, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full. Please note that parking fees are waived for large utility trucks.
Oxford Suites Spokane Downtown
115 West North River Drive
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 353-9000
Make your reservations online or by calling the hotel directly at (509) 353-9000. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute Hands On Relay School to receive a special rate of $165 USD per night plus state and local taxes. This rate is guaranteed until March 10, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full.
The Centennial
303 W North River Drive
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 326-8000
Make your reservations online or calling the hotel directly at (509) 326-8000. Identify yourself as being with the Western Energy Institute Hands On Relay School to receive a special rate of $185 USD per night plus state and local taxes. This rate is guaranteed until March 12, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full. A Tourism Promotion and Assessment fee of $5.00 per room, per night and a Destination Amenity Fee of $10.00, per room, per night will be applied.
Vendor Displays
Registration Options
Vendor Display Only: $375 (6’ table space)
Vendor Double Display Only: $475 (12’ table space)
Vendor Display Only prices includes one representative, a skirted table in the display area, and food functions on Tuesday evening at the DoubleTree Hotel, Spokane, WA. You will need to bring your own power strips and extension cords. Space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You must complete your registration online to hold space. Kris Taylor will reach out to registered vendors for final table selection. For power, audio visual equipment, or other supplies email Amy Grimmett.
Vendor Display Assistants will need to register at an additional cost of $35. There is a limit of 2 vendor display assistants per 6-foot table.
Register for your vendor table here.
Explore the 2023 Hands-On Relay School Annual Report for additional information about the school.
Vendor Display Schedule
March 26, 2024, Tuesday
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Set-up
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Suppliers’ Showcase
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Tear-down
For more information on the Suppliers’ Showcase contact Kris Taylor at (971) 930-2033.
Vendor Display Map
Shipping Information
Packages shipped to the DoubleTree hotel should be addressed as follows:
WEI Hands On Relay School
c/o The person’s name that will pick it up
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
322 N. Spokane Falls Court, Spokane, WA 99201
1 of 1
Handling Fees
Shipments will be charged a handling fee of $10.00 per box under 30lbs; $25.00 for boxes over 30lbs to 100lbs; $50 for boxes over 100lbs or crates; $100 for ”skids” or small pallets; $400 for pallets. Please email Amy Grimmett with how many packages to expect.