2024 Western Transmission Summit

June 4-5, 2024 | Online :: Pacific Time

0624-western-transmission

“Excellent opportunity to learn and meet professionals from different utilities.” Sr. Electrical Engineer, ENMAX Power Corporation

“The conference offered an in-depth look, through balanced panel discussions and case studies, into the current state of transmission planning and development in the West.” – Attorney, Montana PSC

“An amazing conference to learn about the different struggles and lessons learned from different utilities.” Director-Business Development, K&A Engineering

The 14th Annual Western Transmission Summit convenes industry leaders to address urgent challenges and explore promising opportunities within the Western grid during this transformative time. With a spotlight on the intricacies of interregional and intraregional transmission planning, the summit addresses the pressing need for grid operators to scale up renewables while upholding grid stability and reliability.

Key expert-led sessions will cover grid capacity optimization to accommodate distributed energy resources (DERs) and renewables integration, as well as address uncertainties surrounding transmission expansion. Attendees will learn about integrating energy storage solutions and improving transparency and efficiency in grid operations.

Highlighted case studies from SunZia, RioSol and Washington Transmission Corridor Work Group (TCWG) will provide applicable insights on challenges of cost allocations, effective financial mechanisms for funding and planning, transparency promotion, and disputes mitigation. Gain insight into the mandate and responsibilities outlined within the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), evaluating reliability, congestion relief, and capability enhancement requirements.

The Western Transmission Summit promises to be a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation, and actionable insights. Register now to chart the course for a resilient, interconnected energy future through expert-led session on practical insights.

Learning Outcomes

1. Review the complexities and key considerations involved in interregional and intraregional transmission planning
2. Define the challenges, strategies, and advancements of the SunZia Wind and Transmission Project
3. Gain insights into the development, scope, timeline, and expansion of the RioSol Transmission Project
4. Assess current transmission and distribution infrastructure, focusing on reliability, congestion relief, and capability enhancement requirements
5. Discuss the efforts to optimize grid operations and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources
6. Examine the challenges and strategies in safeguarding vital transmission networks against cyber threats
7. Explore the pioneering work in integrating energy storage into transmission planning and advancing grid flexibility and resilience
8. Evaluate electric procurement policies and programs within the regulatory framework’s Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 : Pacific Time

   

9:00– 11:00 a.m. :: Panel Discussion: Western Transmission: Challenges and Opportunities in Interregional/Intraregional Transmission Planning

This two-part session will discuss the complexities of interregional and intraregional transmission planning, examining both the challenges and opportunities inherent in this crucial aspect of energy infrastructure development from the regulatory and executors point of view.
The panel of regulators and executors will explore the realm of transmission planning, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the Western region’s energy landscape. Throughout our discussion, we will elaborate on the intricacies of regulations, coordination efforts, stakeholder engagement, and cost allocation that define transmission planning in the Western region.

Our objective is to address key issues such as long-term regional planning, plan frequency, public policy considerations, and the conditional right of first refusal.

Join the regulators and the executors as we engage in insightful dialogue and collaborate towards a resilient energy future for the Western region.

9:00– 9:55 a.m. :: Part I: The Regulators – What and When

Moderator:

Kathleen Staks, Executive Director, Western Freedom

Panelists:

Byron Corum, Technical Advisor to Commissioner Allison Clements, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Sarah Edmonds, President & CEO, Western Power Pool (WPP)

Kelsie Gomanie, Advocate, Sustainable FERC Project, Climate & Energy, NRDC

Siva Gunda, Commissioner, California Energy Commission

Vic Howell, Director of Reliability Assessments and Modeling, Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)

Nick Myers, Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commision (ACC)

10:00– 10:55 a.m. :: Part II: The Executors: Who and How

Moderator:

Sarah Edmonds, President & CEO, Western Power Pool (WPP)

Panelists:

Ravi Aggarwal, Director, Regional Transmission Planning, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)

Ammar Qusaibaty, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Allegheny Science and Technology

Jennifer Galaway, Senior Manager, Regional Transmission Development & Interconnection Services, Portland General Electric (PGE)

Greg Patterson, Director, Arizona Competitive Power Alliance (AZCPA)

Dominic Scott, Senior Advisor, RAPonline

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. :: Morning Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. :: Navigating U.S. Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure

This session will discuss the complexities of safeguarding vital transmission networks. This discussion will address key challenges and strategies in mitigating cyber threats. Experts will explore the evolving regulatory landscape, emerging technologies, and best practices for enhancing resilience against cyber-attacks.

Chris Unton, Solution Lead – Security & Compliance, Utilicast

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. :: SunZia Updates

Pattern Energy recently closed financing and began full construction on the SunZia Wind and Transmission Project. The SunZia Project includes a 3.5 GW wind farm buildout paired with a 550-mile High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line connecting central New Mexico to Arizona. SunZia’s evening and nighttime peaking energy will be delivered to the solar heavy markets of California and Arizona. Kevin Wetzel, AVP of Business Development at Pattern and the lead developer of the SunZia Project, will talk about some of the challenges the project faced over the years, how the financing was structured, and what we can do to continue building out new transmission in the West.

Kevin Wetzel, Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Pattern Energy

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. :: Break for Lunch

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. :: RioSol Transmission Project Update

This session will give the attendees an update from SouthWestern Power Group (SWPG) on the RioSol Transmission Project, a single-circuit 500kV alternating-current transmission project that parallels the 550-mile SunZia Transmission line route from central New Mexico to the metro-Phoenix area, with an expected in-service date of 2028.   

SWPG was the developer of the SunZia Transmission project from 2006 until it sold the first line to Pattern Energy in mid-2022 and renamed SunZia line 2 as RioSol.

David Getts, General Manager, SouthWestern Power

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. :: Case Study: Navigating the Washington Transmission Corridor Work Group (TCWG) Recommendations, 2023 Legislation, and Implementation Measures

This session offers a detailed analysis of the current transmission and distribution infrastructure, focusing on evaluating reliability, congestion relief, and capability enhancement requirements. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the mandate that requires the utilities to fully transition to clean, renewable and non-emitting recourses by 2045 outlined within Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), as well as discover the pivotal roles played by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and the Transmission Corridor Work Group (TCWG) throughout the process.

Kathleen Drew, Chair, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, State of Washington (EFSEC)

Sonia Bumpus, Director, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, State of Washington (EFSEC)

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 : Pacific Time

 

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. :: Renewable Resources Integration

WECC’s mission is to effectively and efficiently mitigate risks to the reliability and security of the Western Interconnection’s Bulk Power System. The changing resource mix in the West has resulted in a large amount of weather-dependent, renewable, variable energy resources. At the same time, there have been many challenges with construction of transmission facilities to move energy from these resources to the load. This segment will discuss the challenges and opportunities with this changing resource mix, highlighting the important of proactive planning, investment in transmission infrastructure, and advancements in grid management techniques to help facilitate a reliable integration of renewable resources into the grid.

Vic Howell, Director of Reliability Assessments and Modeling, Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:15 -11:15 a.m. :: Energy Integration and Storage in Transmission Planning and Operations

Learn about Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) groundbreaking efforts in integrating energy storage into transmission planning within the Western region. This session will highlight various energy storage technologies and their pivotal role in integrating renewable energy sources. With a focus on addressing the increasing demand for long-duration energy storage solutions, discussions will cover FERC 2222 compliance and the implementation of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) to optimize grid operations.

Jeremy Twitchell, Energy Research Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. :: CPUC Transmission Planning and Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Process

Regulatory framework includes a comprehensive Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process, featuring ambitious objectives within its long-term procurement plan. This process serves as a holistic approach to evaluate the state’s electric procurement policies and programs, aiming to maintain a secure, dependable, and economically viable electricity supply.

The presentation will discuss recent advancements, system requirements, and ongoing initiatives involving constituent utilities, providing insights into the state’s efforts to meet its energy needs efficiently.

Nathan Barcic, Supervisor, Integrated Resource Planning, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Ravi Aggarwal, Director, Regional Transmission Planning, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)

Nathan Barcic, Supervisor, Integrated Resource Planning, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Sonia Bumpus, Director, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, State of Washington (EFSEC)

Byron Corum, Technical Advisor to Commissioner Allison Clements, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Kathleen Drew, Chair, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, State of Washington (EFSEC)

Sarah Edmonds, President & CEO, Western Power Pool (WPP)

Jennifer Galaway, Senior Manager, Regional Transmission Development & Interconnection Services, Portland General Electric (PGN)

David Getts, General Manager, Southwestern Power

Kelsie Gomanie, Advocate, Sustainable FERC Project, Climate & Energy, NRDC

Siva Gunda, Commissioner, California Energy Commission

Vic Howell, Director of Reliability Assessments and Modeling, Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)

Nick Myers, Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commision (ACC)

Greg Patterson, Director, Arizona Competitive Power Alliance (AZCPA)

Dominic Scott, Senior Advisor, RAPonline

Kathleen Staks, Executive Director, Western Freedom

Ammar Qusaibaty, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Allegheny Science and Technology

Jeremy Twitchell, Energy Research Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

Chris Unton, Solution Lead – Security & Compliance, Utilicast

Kevin Wetzel, Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Pattern Energy

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: Confirmed speakers do not need to register and are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the event. If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact our offices at 1.303.770.8800

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:

2024 Western Transmission Summit

June 4-5, 2024 | Online

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 May 03, 2024 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

Credits

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 0.8 CEUs for this event

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

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

Instructional Methods

Panel discussions, PowerPoint presentations, and Q&A sessions will be used in the program

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

Conference CPE Credits: 9.0
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

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 web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

The roles represent key stakeholders with direct involvement in various aspects of transmission planning, operation, regulation, and implementation.

• Grid Operators
• Grid Operations Managers
• Energy Storage Engineers
• Utility Executives
• Transmission Planners
• DER Specialists
• Regulatory Compliance Analysts
• Cybersecurity Specialists
• Energy Economists
• Transmission Engineers
• Renewable Energy Developers
• Regulators and Policy Makers
• Energy Consultants and Analysts
• Advocacy Groups
• Technology Providers
• Financial Institutions and Investors