IPU Power Grid School
The engineering and economics of the operation and transformation of electric utility systems across the supply chain for power, from generation to transmission to distribution.
IPU Power Grid School Course I:
Engineering Economics of the Supply Chain for Power
June 10-12, 2024 – 10 am to 4:00 pm daily Eastern Time
Fundamentals of Power Systems and Grid Infrastructure [J. Mitra]
- Characteristics of electric power components and systems. Transmission and distribution operations and planning. Impact of developments in distribution on transmission. Distributed resources and microgrids.
- Interconnected systems and balancing authorities. Interconnection seams, standards, and interoperability. Island systems. Line losses and solutions. Grid congestion, abnormalities, vulnerabilities, and emerging threats.
- NERC and other standards for quality, reliability, and security. Supply-side capacity, efficiency, and expansion. Utility-scale and distributed storage. Distribution grid operating platforms and automation technologies. Grid modernization and smart grids. Grid architecture for reliability and resilience.
- Wholesale market structure, operation, economics, and pricing. Role of private, nonprofit, and public power. Regulatory jurisdiction and coordination for generation, transmission, and distribution. FERC regulation and key orders.
- Grid access, neutrality, and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). Energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets and allocation rules. Emissions and carbon regulation. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
- Regional transmission planning, operation, and organizations (RTOs). Market performance and oversight. Impact of changing marginal costs. Choice and default service. Stranded and sunk costs. Market and policy uncertainty. Emerging trends, models, and policies. Implications of electrification.
- Engineering properties and efficiency of energy resources. Portfolio diversity and changing fuel mix. Relevance of scale, location, and time variability. Value, costs, and benefits of renewable energy resources.
- Locational marginal pricing (LMP). Day-ahead and hour-ahead scheduling and real-time dispatch.
- Energy imbalance markets (western U.S.). Long-term reliability assessment and modern
IPU Power Grid School Course II:
Supply-Side Dynamics: Alternative Resources, Integrated Planning, and Climate Action
TBA 2024 – 10 am to 4:00 pm daily Eastern Time
IPU Power Grid School Course III:
Demand-Side Dynamics: Energy Efficiency and Demand Response, Grid-Edge Technologies, and Electrification
TBD – 10 am to 4:00 pm daily Eastern Time
About the program
IPU Power Grid School is designed to improve regulatory capacity for grid-related policy development and decision-making at all government levels in support of innovation, efficiency, and environmental goals. Drawing from the engineering and economics disciplines, this program considers the integral role of electricity grids in the energy supply chain. The program is designed to be responsive to emerging technological opportunities and policy mandates associated. The Power Grid School is objective and rigorous, taught by knowledgeable and independent experts, and provides an intensive and interactive educational and professional networking experience.
IPU Power Grid School is open to everyone and designed to meet the needs of the regulatory policy community, including commissioners and staff members of the federal and state public utility commissions, energy and environmental agency staff, legislative staff, consumer advocates, utility personnel (public and private), engineers, planners, investors, analysts, consultants, attorneys, and others interested in learning about the fundamentals of electricity grid. International attendees are very welcome. The program is designed to be eligible for continuing education credits as well as IPU’s Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education (www.ipu.msu.edu/ccre).
For a list of IPU FAQ’s Click Here.
*Contact us about discounts for IPU affiliates, groups, and multiple course registrations.
Learning Objectives
Power Grid School I:
- To understand the basic engineering form and function of electricity grids.
- To understand grid functions, from generation to transmission to distribution.
- To understand electricity economics, market structures, and regulation.
- To understand how energy resources are integrated into the power grid.
- To understand the technologies and policies driving sector transformation.
Power Grid School II:
- To understand key trends in electricity supply and demand and drivers.
- To understand resource and distribution planning for power grids.
- To understand the roles of demand management and demand response in grids.
- To understand economics of energy resources and resource policies.
- To understand energy transformation, decarbonization, and climate action.
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what past Power Grid School attendees think about the program.
- “I left with the best understanding I’ve ever had on the structure and interconnected sectors of the grid.”
- “I appreciated the relevance of the presentations, covering current emerging topics for the electric utility industry.”
- “The best training I have attended. Congrats!”
- “Great information, knowledgeable presenters, wonderful facilities-keep it up!”
- “High level and detailed look at various parts of the grid system.”
- “I appreciated the material was presented in an unbiased manner.”
- “A very good program with highly qualified teachers. It was a privilege to be a part of.”
Additional logistics
Materials: Attendees will have access to electronic materials, including presentations, and useful supplemental resources.
Attendee list: Out of respect for your privacy, and in keeping with our educational mission, we do not publicize our attendee lists in advance of our programs.
Cancellation and refunds: Cancellations are generally accepted until one week before the program but may result in forfeiture of a group discount. Program fees may be applied toward a future program or refunded.
Comments and complaints: IPU welcomes program input and feedback. Participants will be asked to complete program evaluation forms. Comments and complaints about the program may be directed to IPU Dr. Janice A. Beecher (beecher@msu.edu) or the IPU Operations Manager (ipu@msu.edu).
NASBA information
NASBA National Registry Statement: The Institute of Public Utilities, Michigan State University is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Program Level: The program is classified as both “intermediate” and “overview” and is accessible to relatively new personnel working in the regulatory policy community. Prior participation in one of the basic courses or some relevant work experience is recommended, but not required. The program focuses on the engineering and economics of power grids.
Program Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites apply to this program. However, preparatory resources are available on the IPU program web page and prereading of some materials may be advised.
Advanced Preparation: No advanced preparation is required for this course.
Program Delivery: The program delivery method is classified as a “group-live” event with general lectures and opportunities for interaction. Active learning and participation are encouraged. Program instructors are accessible for individual assistance throughout the program.
Field of study: This program is relevant to the following NASBA fields of study: specialized knowledge (19.2 credits on a 50 minute credit hour). For program details and registration, please visit ipu.msu.edu/grid.
