Valley Utility Workshop
 

Valley Utility Workshop 

Event Details
Valley Utility Workshop
02/28/2019
Embassy Suites
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Valley Utility Workshop: A Foundation for Distribution Utility Employees has been designed for new utility staff, or existing staff, who would benefit from having a better understanding of the industry. The workshop equips attendees with knowledge of how utilities operate, provides an overview of current hot topics and issues for LPCs, and take-home resources such as a copy of the Electric Utility Primer book, contact information from TVPPA members in peer roles who have agreed to be a resource for questions, and additional information from the day's sessions. Safety, customer service, key accounts, engineers, human resources staff, executive/administrative assistants, accountants, board members and any others will surely benefit from this packed one-day equipping event.

02/28/2019
Valley Utility Workshop
8:30 amRegistration Open
9:00 amWelcome and Opening Remarks
9:05 am - 9:45 amTVPPA: Your Association
This session will provide an overview of TVPPA and its strategic plans. It includes a general description of TVPPA, its role as the large regional association, services offered, and an explanation of the public power model. A brief introduction of Seven States Power Corporation and Distributors Insurance company will be provided as well.
9:45 am - 10:15 amTVA History and Infrastructure
This brief session will cover a limited scope explanation of TVA's history in the Valley, what they do (transmission vs. distribution), infrastructure, and future trends in transmission.
10:15 am - 10:30 amRefreshment Break and Networking
10:30 am - 11:45 amThe ABC's of Electrical Systems and Electric Utility Primer
This session is a truncated version of TVPPA's training course of the same name as well as portions of the Electric Utility Primer book. It focuses on the fundamentals of electricity including methods of generation, distribution methods, and will help participants understand where their position fits into the overall industry. All attendees will receive a copy of the Electric Utility Primer book.
11:45 am - 12:45 amHosted Lunch
12:45 am - 1:15 pmCyber Security and Why It's Important to You
This session will provide not only an overview of where threats to distribution systems exist, but also on how individuals can help mitigate those threats by their daily routines.
1:15 pm - 1:45 pmWhat You Need to Know About Fiber
As a very timely and current topic that is gaining traction in the utility industry, this session will provide an overview of what fiber is, how it is used and the benefits to the utility and the customer.
1:45 pm - 2:15 pmImpacts and Influence from Government Oversight and Legislative Activities
A general overview of how topics at the state and federal levels impact the utility industry and what issues are the most pressing and impactful right now.
2:15 pm - 2:30 pmRefreshment Break and Networking Opportunity
2:30 pm - 3:15 pmHow Solar is Influencing the Industry
With solar energy being an increasingly significant topic, this session will explain it, cover what the electric utility industry is doing to address it, and provide examples of TVPPA member utilities' efforts with solar energy.
3:15 pm - 3:45 pmEffective Communication with Utility Customers
A very brief understanding of what DISC is and how knowing your own and others' communication and behavioral tendencies can impact both internal and external interfaces. This short module will include gaining a basic understanding of your own style and examples of how member utilities use DISC profiles to improve performance, leadership and operations.
3:45 pm - 4:30 pmLearning to Speak LPC
Participants will receive a portion of the training course by the same name. Focus areas include common terms used by both municipal and cooperative electric distribution systems in the Valley. All participants will be engaged with terms used through the LPC to include engineering, finance, business and others.
4:30 pmAdjourn
Participants will depart with a peer list of resources, the Electric Utility Primer book, and a notebook of additional information from the day's sessions.