PLMA Demand Response Training Series Travels to Georgia, Missouri

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - June 02, 2016) - PLMA will present training courses for electric utility industry professionals in Georgia in June, and Missouri in September. The highly interactive training courses mentored by utility managers are open to PLMA member and non-member staff alike, but seating is limited to no more than 30 students. Details are at www.peakload.org/page/Training.

The PLMA Demand Response Training Series consists of three courses presented by industry experts and hosted at PLMA member offices. PLMA will present its Demand Response Program Design and Implementation course on June 29-30 at Comverge headquarters in Norcross, Georgia. PLMA will present all three courses, back-to-back, at Ameren Missouri offices in St. Louis, Missouri on September 12-16. The three courses are:

• Introduction to Demand Response -- a one-day, interactive course provides a comprehensive overview of demand response topics and current issues from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders: utilities, retail energy providers, customers, Independent System Operators, and other demand response technology and services providers. All students receive a Reference Manual.
• Demand Response Markets -- a two-day course that explores how to leverage wholesale energy market models to design demand response programs for traditionally regulated, restructured, and emerging electricity markets; a detailed review of the similarities and differences among markets in which demand resources can participate; and, the current and future roles for electricity consumers, aggregators, energy retailers, utilities, and market operators.
• Demand Response Program Design and Implementation -- a two-day course that covers the key elements of demand response activities. This includes topics related to program development such as: the market and regulatory environments; business drivers; market potential; program design; and economic analysis. Topics related to program implementation will include the tactics and methodologies used to improve program success, including a discussion of: organizational and resourcing strategies; contracting; business processes; technology integration; and measurement & verification. Interactive exercises will enable participants to gain hands-on experience with various aspects of DR program development and implementation.

The primary audience for the training courses includes utility and regulatory staff as well as other energy industry trade allies and organizations seeking to improve their knowledge of how demand response methods are used in the electricity industry to meet peak electricity demand, mitigate the impact of high electricity prices, and manage variable generation.

PLMA was founded in 1999 as the Peak Load Management Alliance to be the voice of demand response practitioners. PLMA brings together a community of experts dedicated to sharing knowledge and providing resources to promote inclusiveness in the design, delivery, technology, and management of solutions addressing energy and natural resource integration. PLMA members share expertise to educate each other and explore innovative approaches to demand response programs, price and rate response, regional regulatory issues, and technologies, as energy markets evolve. To learn more, visit www.peakload.org.