The following events and training courses are open to participants interested in learning more about utility management and governance.

USEA Disruptive Innovation – How DERs Are Impacting the US Electric Sector

February 28, 2017, Washington, DC

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), which include solar, storage, energy efficiency, demand response, and CHP technologies, are disrupting the way electricity has traditionally been generated, transmitted and distributed for the last 100 plus years. Continuing technological innovation and cost declines, together with customer demand, regulatory initiatives, and increasingly sophisticated third party participants, are causing utilities and their regulators to fundamentally rethink traditional business models and regulatory and rate structures. However, how things may change, the rate of change, the ultimate business model(s) and the “right” regulatory regime, rate structures and utility compensation models given the specific state circumstances, are all uncertain.

Michigan State University Institute of Public Utilities (IPU): Grid School

March 6-9, 2017, Seattle, WA

IPU 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. This program considers the integral role of electricity grids in the energy supply chain and is designed to be responsive to new mandates and infrastructure investments associated with federal and states policies

EUCI Introduction to Wholesale Electricity Markets

March 13-14, 2017, Chicago, IL

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the operation of electricity systems in the North America, focusing on the role of electricity markets, including the how and why markets have evolved over the past two decades. Considerable time will be spent in the beginning to understand the role of generation, transmission, and load for reliable system operation, which is a must to facilitate competitive regional wholesale markets. Participants will gain a high-level understanding of current issues affecting electricity markets and will receive detailed explanation at a basic level of how the electricity markets operate.

African Utility Week

May 16-18, Cape Town, South Africa

The 17th annual African Utility Week is the only global meeting place, conference and trade exhibition for African power and water utility professionals. African Utility Week offers a unique networking opportunity for engineers, stakeholders and solution providers alike.

Asia Clean Energy Forum 2017

June 5-8, Manila, The Philippines

The Philippines – The Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) is the premier knowledge-sharing event for clean energy entrepreneurs, electricity sector professionals, and financial institutions interested in staying abreast with the latest developments and key issues in Asia’s clean energy sector. In June, these clean energy professionals convene at ADB Headquarters in Manila to network, discuss issues, exchange knowledge, and build business. This will include a Forum in which entrepreneurs will present business plans along four thematic tracks: energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy access, and chartering the future of clean energy in Asia. The deadline for submissions is March 3, 2017 at 17:00 Manila time. Submissions must be short (no more than 150 words), and should highlight concrete outcomes and achievements. More information on submissions here. ACEF is hosted by USAID, the Asian Development Bank, and the Korean Energy Agency.

International Conference on Grid and Utility Computing

September 21-22, London, UK

19th International Conference on Grid and Utility Computing aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Grid and Utility Computing. It also provides the premier interdisciplinary forum for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns, practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted in the field of Grid and Utility Computing.

WEEC: World Energy Engineering Conference

September 27-29, 2017, Atlanta, GA

The World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) is the largest energy conference and technology expo held in the United States specifically for business, industrial and institutional energy users. It brings together the top experts in all areas of the field to help set a clear, optimum path to energy efficiency, facility optimization and sustainability.