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Time of Use (TOU) Rate Design: Advantages, Issues & Challenges

April 28 - 29, 2026 Online :: Central Time

“Training at EUCI has helped me gain deeper knowledge of topics that are directly relevant to my job while providing CPE credit. This has been huge in helping me advance my skillset and ultimately my career.”

Financial Analyst Senior, Eugene Water & Electric Board

“I did not fall asleep during this conference - the speakers did a great job, and I recommend the Time of Use (TOU) Rate Design course.”

Data Analyst, Town Square Energy

Time-of-Use (TOU) rates are moving from pilot programs to a core utility strategy as electrification, EV adoption, and peak demand growth challenge legacy rate designs. While TOU can shift load and improve grid efficiency, utilities face ongoing hurdles, including uneven customer adoption, regulatory complexity, equity concerns, and the need to align rates with customer behavior, enabling technology, and distributed energy resources.

This conference addresses these challenges with a utility-focused, practical approach. Through sessions on TOU implementation amid regulatory and legislative complexities, dynamic pricing and flexible load management, advanced TOU rate design for EVs and DERs, managing secondary peaks, innovations in TOU technology and analytics, and cooperative and municipal program strategies, attendees will come away with practical guidance, lessons from real-world programs, and strategies they can apply within their own utilities. Utilities will gain the knowledge needed to optimize load management, improve customer engagement, meet regulatory requirements, and design next-generation rates that deliver measurable operational, customer, and grid benefits.

Registration is now open for this practical, two-day forum on TOU rate design.

Learning Outcomes

  • Compare regulatory, legislative, and stakeholder factors affecting TOU implementation and evaluate strategies to balance compliance with customer adoption
  • Apply principles of real-time pricing to high-intensity agricultural loads and strategies to automate load response using Hourly Flex Pricing
  • Analyze multi-utility TOU case studies to evaluate customer behavior and demand impacts and identify lessons for smoother rate transitions
  • Evaluate emerging TOU rate design innovations and strategies to enhance load management, customer engagement, and grid efficiency
  • Analyze the limitations of current TOU adoption and design a roadmap for transitioning to advanced time-varying rate structures
  • Interpret research on underserved customer segments and evaluate how rate design can improve equity and consumer engagement
  • Analyze TOU program outcomes across multiple investor-owned utilities and assess best practices for load management and renewable integration
  • Compare cooperative TOU program case studies
  • Evaluate real-world cooperative TOU program case studies and best practices to design load management strategies that improve member engagement and cost efficiency
  • Evaluate different analytic approaches and technological tools for assessing TOU rate impacts
  • Apply implementation strategies from co-op case studies to develop actionable TOU program plans that optimize flexible load integration, member communication, and equitable participation in cooperative territories

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 March 20, 2026 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

Day one

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Day two

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Agenda

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In & 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 & Welcome

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Update on EPE’s Time Varying Rate (TVR) Pilot

El Paso Electric’s Advanced Metering System (AMS) initiative, including its objectives and role in modernizing the grid. It will cover the smart meter deployment strategy, key technology components, and implementation timeline. The discussion will also address customer-facing benefits such as improved data access, energy insights, and new rate design options including time-of-use pricing. Finally, it will review stakeholder feedback, operational benefits for reliability and grid visibility, and next steps for pilot and full-scale rollout.

Goksin Kavlak, PhD Senior Energy Associate The Brattle Group

10:00 - 10:45 AM

Dynamic Pricing & Ag-Tech

While standard TOU rates use fixed blocks, Valley Clean Energy is pioneering Hourly Flex Pricing (HFP) to manage high-intensity agricultural loads. This session will share insights from the AgFIT pilot, detailing how to move from traditional TOU to real-time price signals that automate irrigation and pumping.

Rebecca Kuczynski Chief Customer Officer Valley Clean Energy

Sierra Huffman Senior Financial Analyst, Rates and Power Costs Valley Clean Energy

10:45 - 11:00 AM

Morning Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Case Studies: Real-World TOU Implementation Across Multiple Utilities

Examine experiences from utilities that have implemented TOU rates, highlighting changes in customer behavior, demand effects, and lessons learned from rate transitions.

Dan Hansen, PhD Managing Director, Energy Practice Christensen Associates

Utility Representative - TBD

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 - 1:45 PM

Case Study: Innovations in TOU Rate Design: Insights and Emerging Ideas

This session explores how electric utility costs relate to time-differentiated pricing and Time-of-Use (TOU) rate structures. Attendees will discover the influence of these factors on rate design, utility operations, and customer decision-making. Additionally, the session provides actionable approaches for communicating price signals, engaging customers, and boosting grid efficiency, with a look at current TOU trends and future developments in rate design.

David Stowe Senior Rate Engineer Core Electric Cooperative

1:45 - 2:30 PM

Addressing Secondary Peaks and Planning for Future Time-Varying Rates

This session explores the limits of Time-of-Use rates as adoption grows, including the emergence of secondary peaks and operational challenges. While TOU provides clear benefits, it is only a first step toward more advanced time-varying rates. This session will discuss why utilities should begin planning now on how to evolve beyond TOU to ensure scalability to high participation rates and outline a roadmap for transitioning to next-generation rate designs that continue to support grid flexibility and improved affordability.

Hayden Reeve Senior Technical Advisor Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

2:30 - 2:45 PM

Afternoon Break

2:45 - 3:45 PM

Case Study on Energy Affordability: Insights from Low-Income and Gen-Z Consumers on Rate Understanding and Preferences

This session explores new research into how low-income and Gen-Z consumers understand and engage with different electricity rate structures. Drawing on direct insights, the talk challenges conventional approaches to energy affordability and proposes rate design as a powerful equity tool beyond traditional bill assistance. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to align rate innovation with the needs of historically underserved customer segments.

Jason McGrade Deputy Director Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative

3:45 - 4:30 PM

Case Studies of Washington Investor-Owned Utility

As Washington State transitions toward a more modern and flexible energy grid, investor-owned utilities are increasingly utilizing TOU rate designs to manage load and integrate renewable energy. This session, presented by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission , provides a comprehensive overview of the current TOU landscape across the state's major energy providers: Avista, PacifiCorp, and Puget Sound Energy (PSE). Time-of-Use Rate Pilots and Programs

Heather Moline Energy Policy Advisor to the Commissioners Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Kelvin Fitzerald Regulatory Analyst, Energy Rates & Services Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Agenda

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In

8:45 AM

Adjourn for the day

12:00 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In

9:00 - 10:00 AM

TOU Rate Design for Cooperative Members

Explore how co-ops and municipalities are leveraging TOU rates to manage EV charging and flexible loads, using real-world case studies to highlight strategies, challenges, and outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing load management, enhancing member engagement, and improving cost efficiency through innovative TOU program design.

Michelle Lynch Senior Analyst Hoosier Energy

10:00 - 10:45 AM

Innovations in TOU Technology and Analytics

This session explores how utilities measure and evaluate the impacts of Time-of-Use rates using advanced analytics and technology. Topics include approaches to assessing load and bill impacts beyond shadow billing, understanding which customers benefit or face challenges, and strategies for voluntary versus default enrollment. Case examples highlight lessons learned from California, including equity considerations for low-income and elderly customers, and how data-driven insights can guide more effective and fair TOU program design.

Dr. Eric Bell Principal Apex Analytics, LLC

Aimee Savage Senior Associate Apex Analytics, LLC

10:45 - 11:00 AM

Morning Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

TOU Rate Design for Cooperative Members

This session explores how cooperatives can design and implement Time-of-Use  rates to optimize load management, enhance member engagement, and support the integration of flexible loads like EVs and distributed energy resources. Drawing on real-world experiences, this session will share practical strategies for overcoming implementation challenges in co-op territories, communicating effectively with members, and ensuring equitable access and adoption across diverse communities. Attendees will gain actionable insights for applying TOU programs in cooperative and municipal settings.

Tim Ferree Accounts & Advocacy Specialist Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

Speakers

Dr. Eric Bell

Principal
Apex Analytics, LLC

Tim Ferree

Accounts & Advocacy Specialist
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

Kelvin Fitzerald

Regulatory Analyst, Energy Rates & Services
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Dan Hansen, PhD

Managing Director, Energy Practice
Christensen Associates

Sierra Huffman

Senior Financial Analyst, Rates and Power Costs
Valley Clean Energy

Goksin Kavlak, PhD

Senior Energy Associate
The Brattle Group

Rebecca Kuczynski

Chief Customer Officer
Valley Clean Energy

Michelle Lynch

Senior Analyst
Hoosier Energy

Jason McGrade

Deputy Director
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative

Heather Moline

Energy Policy Advisor to the Commissioners
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Hayden Reeve

Senior Technical Advisor
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Aimee Savage

Senior Associate
Apex Analytics, LLC

David Stowe

Senior Rate Engineer
Core Electric Cooperative

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 0.9 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

 

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

 

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

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

 

Instructional Methods

Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, open discussions, panels.

 

CPE

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

Conference CPE Credits: 10.5
There is no prerequisite for this conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

CpeEUCI 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

  • Utilities
  • Regulatory professionals
  • Policymakers
  • Energy economists
  • Technology providers
  • Sustainability leaders involved in rate design and grid modernization
  • Consumer engagement specialists
  • Financial specialists
  • EV industry stakeholders
  • Energy consumer advocates