Overview

This training program is intended for persons working in, dealing with, or having special interest in the electric utility industry. It covers material on basic concepts, terms, and integration of functions in electric power systems. The primary functions of generation, transmission and distribution, planning concepts, operations and maintenance, regulation, rates, and economics will be addressed. The course will identify challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties that the electric industry faces in the energy market and evolving regulatory environment.

The course is designed so that anyone who is not familiar with utilities and electric power systems can benefit from the content. The course material will be a useful resource for future reference. The program is designed to stimulate dialog between the attendees and the instructor. A prior background in electric power systems or engineering is not required.

The following key topics will be covered:

• Purpose and goals
• Introduction: energy utilization and losses
• History of the U.S. electric industry and regulation
• Utility ownership models: IOUs, cooperatives, and public utilities
• Trends in consumption, prices, environmental considerations and economic growth
• Basic electricity concepts: watts, VARs, volts, and amps
• Utilization: loads
• Generation: terminology, sources, operations and economics
• Fuel sources and fuel diversity
• Renewable energy: wind and solar status and economics
• Energy storage, energy efficiency, and demand management
• Decoupling: rates to promote Energy Efficiency and Demand Management
• Power delivery system: transmission and distribution
• Meters and smart meters
• Measuring reliability
• System integration, reliability, and markets
• Regulatory and management agencies
• Utility types and ratemaking (price regulation)