July 2024 education and training

Managers' Meeting

The two-day event kicked off July 11 with lunch at AIEC headquarters, followed by the first portion of the meeting and a social hour at Maldaner's Restaurant in Springfield sponsored by Phil Clark and Justin Breden of United Utility Supply. The second part of the meeting was conducted the next morning and the group adjourned at noon.

Transformer School

This workshop, conducted by Scott Meinecke, director of safety and loss control for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, took place July 16-18 at AIEC headquarters. The workshop was a combination of classroom and hands-on learning opportunities, where participants are exposed to situations that are as "real-world" as possible, without the real-world risk. During the workshop, topics included basics of single-phase and three-phase transformer connections and theory including turns ratios, polarities, safe work practices, basic calculations, connections, sizing, and troubleshooting.

Evolution of Electric Cooperative Power Supply

Electric co-op boards face a rapidly evolving energy landscape where power supply decisions are more complex, involve greater risks and have greater cost consequences for consumer-members than ever before. The low price of natural gas, the combination of state renewable portfolio requirements, the falling prices of wind and solar, and environmental regulations are leading a fundamental shift in the U.S. electricity generation portfolio. This shift has significant implications for electricity suppliers and for consumers. At play are five fundamental dynamics: Regulatory/Legislative, Markets, Fuels, Power Technology, and Customer expectations and preferences. This course focuses on building competencies and strategies boards can pursue in the face of this uncertainty, including understanding what members want, working closely with power suppliers, communicating with members and being their trusted energy advisor. This course is part of NRECA's Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) program. It took place July 31 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.