Innovative Rate Design for Electric Cooperatives

April 2 - 3, 2025 Online :: Central Time

Struggling with Increasing Customer Diversity in Your Electric Cooperative?

As energy consumption patterns shift, traditional rate designs may no longer meet the needs of your members. Here’s what’s changing:

Solar Panel Owners: Members with solar panels have unique rate requirements.
Electric Vehicle Considerations: Customers beginning to consider electric vehicles.
Large Customers: New, large clients interested in your low rates and impacting your load.

This conference will help you tackle these evolving challenges and guide your executive decisions on effective rate designs.

Interactive Learning:

Workshop: Learn the essentials of costing and rate design, explore pricing principles, and review alternatives to address the new challenges.
Conference Presentations: Hear from NRECA member innovators on how they solved their rate design challenges.
Interactive Rate Design Exercise: Work with a team to tackle a rate design challenge, apply what you’ve learned, and propose a solution.

Join us to understand how to make informed, strategic rate decisions in a rapidly changing landscape!

Learning Outcomes

Workshop:

Explore the essentials of utility costing principles and practices.
Identify the key criteria of successful rate design.
Develop the ability to objectively evaluate the purposes, strengths, and weaknesses of innovative rate designs.
Examine the alternatives available for addressing today’s key rate design challenges.

Conference:

Develop strategies to foster collaboration among utilities, regulators, and stakeholders to create effective rate designs that balance cost recovery, grid reliability, and customer equity.
Evaluate approaches for implementing Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing to manage energy costs effectively for consumers and utilities.
Analyze regulatory considerations and emerging trends in pricing models, including demand charges, capacity-based rates, and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
Explore the implementation of time-varying rate structures to improve load management and achieve cost savings.
Examine regulatory considerations and assess potential ratepayer impacts as utilities transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.
Identify strategies for balancing customer incentives with grid needs as DERs, such as home batteries and electric vehicles, become a larger part of the energy landscape.
Discuss innovative dynamic pricing strategies that help co-ops utilities manage demand, promote efficiency, and support grid stability.

Register

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

This event has passed and cannot be registered for. If you would like to see if this event will be offered again please reach out to [email protected]

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before February 28, 2025 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI retains the right to refuse registration by any individual or company.

Day one

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Day two

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Agenda

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Central Time

Online

Log In and Welcome

8:45 AM

Lunch Break

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Adjourn for the day

4:30 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In and Welcome

9:00 - 9:15 AM

Opening Announcements

9:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Workshop: Costing and Pricing to Support Rate Innovation

This workshop will help you to participate in the conference by reminding you of the essentials of rate design and then enhancing your understanding of the rates that utilities are using to serve their customers today. We will cover such topics as pricing for distributed energy resources, electric vehicle charging, standby pricing, and dynamic products such as critical-peak pricing and real-time pricing. We will review the objectives that rates are designed to attain, such as revenue sufficiency and price efficiency, and consider how to price to engage in beneficial electrification. And we will cover the cost underpinnings of rates: both embedded and marginal cost. By the end of the workshop, you will be able to participate in the interactive exercises and engage fully in discussions resulting from the conference presentations.

Bruce Chapman Vice President Christensen Associates Energy Consulting

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 - 1:15 PM

Conference Begins - Welcome Message

1:15 - 2:00 PM

Pricing for Large Customers Like Data Centers

This session will explore pricing strategies for large customers, such as data centers, focusing on rate structures that address their high energy demands while supporting grid efficiency. Attendees will learn about customized pricing models, including demand charges, capacity-based rates, and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy use. The session will also cover regulatory considerations and emerging trends in pricing for energy-intensive industries like data centers.

Allison Hamilton Director, Markets and Rates National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

2:00 - 2:45 PM

Leveraging Time-of-Use (TOU) Pricing for Cost Control

This session will explore how TOU pricing can be effectively implemented to manage energy costs for consumers and utilities. Participants will discuss strategies to align energy consumption with lower-cost periods, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing overall energy expenditures.

Patrick Grace Chief Executive Officer Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

2:45 - 3:00 PM

Afternoon Break

3:00 - 3:45 PM

Managing Partnerships for Effective Rate Design: Engaging Regulators, Industry, Communities, and Customers

This panel will explore the complexities of managing partnerships between regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, communities, and customers in the context of rate design. Experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating rate structures that reflect the needs and priorities of all parties involved, while promoting sustainability and equitable energy access. Key focus areas will include cooperative efforts in designing rates that incentivize energy efficiency, the integration of renewable energy, and support for marginalized communities.

Allison Hamilton Director, Markets and Rates National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Patrick Grace Chief Executive Officer Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

Cedric Wilson Deputy Director General Office of Utility Regulation

Ronald Bilodeau Director, Industry Affairs Osmose Utilities Services

Nathan Shannon CEO Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative

3:45 - 4:30 PM

Interactive Rates Exercise: Session One

The teams meet in breakout rooms:

Meet your group
Review the problem
Select an approach

Agenda

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Central Time

Online

Log In

8:45 AM

Lunch Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Adjourn for the day

4:30 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In

9:00 - 9:45 AM

Innovative Rate Design for Distributed Energy Resources: Enhancing Adoption of Home Batteries and Electric Vehicles

This session will explore rate alternatives for integrating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) into utility systems, focusing on innovative pricing models that encourage DER adoption and support grid reliability. Attendees will gain insights into successful strategies for designing rates that have driven high adoption of home batteries and electric vehicles, including structures such as up-front incentives, net metering, demand charges, and performance-based incentives. The session will also address regulatory considerations and strategies for balancing customer incentives with grid needs as DERs play an increasingly significant role in the energy landscape.

Rebecca Towne Chief Executive Officer Vermont Electric Cooperative

9:45 - 10:30 AM

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative: EV Pilot Program

This session will explore the results of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Pilot Program (“EV Pilot”). The purpose of the EV Pilot was "to encourage off-peak electric vehicle charging," which REC developed to help the Cooperative, among other things, manage its related capacity costs, load factor, and the upward pressure on residential rates that could occur when electric vehicles are charged during on-peak hours. The session will discuss the rate design, the results of the EV Pilot program and also cover REC's next steps as it considers moving the pilot to a permanent program.

Jennifer Sebastian Director Rates and Regulatory Affairs Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

10:30 - 10:45 AM

Morning Break

10:45 - 11:30 AM

Pricing Strategies for Ensuring Grid Reliability Amid Fossil Fuel Plant Retirements

This session will address the pricing implications of fossil fuel plant retirements and their impact on grid reliability, exploring how rate structures can help manage the transition to cleaner energy sources. Attendees will learn about pricing strategies that incentivize investment in renewable energy, energy storage, and demand response, while ensuring grid stability in the absence of traditional fossil fuel plants. The session will also discuss regulatory considerations and potential ratepayer impacts as utilities transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.

Duane Highley CEO Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch Break

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Interactive Rates Exercise: Session Two

The teams meet in breakout rooms:

Draft a team presentation of three slides: Problem, Approach, Strengths & Weaknesses.

1:15 - 2:00 PM

Time-Varying Rates for Co-ops

This session will explore the implementation of time-varying rate structures for co-ops, focusing on benefits such as improved load management and cost savings. Attendees will learn about various rate models, including time-of-use and critical peak pricing, and how they can enhance grid efficiency. The session will also cover customer engagement strategies, regulatory considerations, and future opportunities in integrating time-varying rates with emerging technologies and renewable energy initiatives.

John Becker Manager of Rates and Billing Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc

2:00 - 2:45 PM

Panel: Dynamic Pricing Models to Obtain Demand Response

This group discussion will address innovative pricing strategies that can help co-ops and municipal utilities manage demand more effectively, promote efficiency, and support grid stability. Participants will explore how Real-Time Pricing (RTP), Critical-Peak Pricing (CPP), Peak Time Rebate (PTR), Variable Peak Pricing (VPP), Interruptible/Curtailable programs with market-based pricing, and Standby pricing with dynamic outage service pricing can engage customers, encourage them to adjust their energy use based on market conditions, and contribute to a more responsive, flexible energy system.

Allison Hamilton Director, Markets and Rates National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Bruce Chapman Vice President Christensen Associates Energy Consulting

Rebecca Kuczynski Chief Customer Officer Valley Clean Energy

2:45 - 3:00 PM

Afternoon Break

3:00 - 4:30 PM

Interactive Rates Exercise: Session Three

The teams meet to:

Share presentations
Q&A

Speakers

John Becker

Manager of Rates and Billing
Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc

Ronald Bilodeau

Director, Industry Affairs
Osmose Utilities Services

Bruce Chapman

Vice President
Christensen Associates Energy Consulting

Patrick Grace

Chief Executive Officer
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

Allison Hamilton

Director, Markets and Rates
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Duane Highley

CEO
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association

Rebecca Kuczynski

Chief Customer Officer
Valley Clean Energy

Jennifer Sebastian

Director Rates and Regulatory Affairs
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

Nathan Shannon

CEO
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative

Rebecca Towne

Chief Executive Officer
Vermont Electric Cooperative

Cedric Wilson

Deputy Director General
Office of Utility Regulation

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

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EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.2 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must long in and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Workshop, game scenarios, group work, Case Studies, Panel Discussions and PowerPoint presentations will be used in the program.

CPE

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 13.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

Cpe EUCI 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 final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event. Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

Utility and Energy Industry Professionals
Regulatory and Policy Stakeholders
Energy Economists
Consultants in utility rate design and demand management
Renewable Energy Experts
Technology and Solution Providers
Consumer Advocates
Board Members of Co-ops and Munis
Federal Agencies