IPU Grid School
The engineering and economics of the operation and transformation of electric utility systems across the supply chain for power, from generation to transmission to distribution.
REGISTRATION
Register online
2026 Registration: Government $925; Private: $1,075
Grid School 1:
Engineering, Economics, and Modeling Fundamentals
March 10-12, 2026 - 10 am to 4:30 pm daily Eastern Time
Day 1
Fundamentals of Power Systems and Grid Infrastructure [Nordman, Zorach, Beik]
Learn the basics of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as emerging topics.
Day 2
Fundamentals of Electricity Markets, Economics, & Regulation [S. Blumsack]
Learn how markets for electricity operate, are structured, and regulated.
Day 3
Grid Integration & Modeling for Distributed & Variable Resources [Ben-Idris, Pei, Nordman]
Learn how electricity generators, from large, centralized power plants to distributed energy resources, connect with one another to form the grid.
2026 Registration: Government $925; Private: $1,075
Grid School 2: Agenda
Generation, Planning, and Reliability
April 14-16, 2026 - 10 am to 4:30 pm daily Eastern Time
Day 1
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
Status and future of natural gas supply and infrastructure [ M. Deupree]
11:40am-12:50pm
Developing and permitting wind, solar, and storage [D. Loomis]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Sustainability, supply chains, and technology life cycles [F. Hanna]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Risk assessment and physical and cybersecurity [C. Ten]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
Day 2
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
Integrated resource planning, portfolios, and permitting [R. Wilson and D. Glick]
11:40am-12:50pm
Transmission expansion, optimization, and coordination [R. Wiser, P. Heller, & J. Kemp]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Nuclear power renewal and small modular reactors [S. Thomas]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Grid modernization technologies and implementations [Lau]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
Day 3
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
Levelized cost vs. levelized value of energy resources [K. Meeusen]
11:40am-12:50pm
Planning for decarbonization and climate adaptation [M. Craig]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Flexibility, distributed energy resources, and virtual power plants [ A. Anctil]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Reliability and resilience standards and practices [J. Mitra]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
2026 Registration: Government $925; Private: $1,075
Grid School 3:
Efficiency, Load Management, and Policy
May 5-7, 2026 - 10 am to 4:30 pm daily Eastern Time
Day 1
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
National energy sector forecasting and data [S. Harvey]
11:40am-12:50pm
National energy sector forecasting and data cont. [S. Harvey]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Demand modeling and forecasting and load drivers [D. Gotham]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Electrification, flexibility, demand management, and capacity planning [Kurtz & Sinton]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
Day 2
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
Driving affordable decarbonization by inclusive program design [K. Stenger]
11:40am-12:50pm
Customer participation in demand response programs [Y. Wang]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Peak load management and direct load control [K. Cetin & P. Guillante]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure [D. Zhao & M. Ghamami]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
Day 3
10:00am-10:15am Welcome
10:15am-11:25am
Economic evaluation of resource and policy alternatives [E. Nordman]
11:40am-12:50pm
Ethics and informatics for managing and sharing utility customer data [B. Ruddell]
1:45pm-2:55pm
Energy communities, land use, and justice [A. Eisenberg]
3:10pm-4:20pm
Disparities and justice in the clean energy transition [J. Schott]
4:20pm-4:30pm Wrap up
About the program
IPU Grid School is designed to improve regulatory capacity for grid-related policy development and decision-making at all government levels in support of innovation, efficiency, and environmental goals. Drawing from the engineering and economics disciplines, this program considers the integral role of electricity grids in the energy supply chain. The program is designed to be responsive to emerging technological opportunities and policy mandates associated. The Grid School is objective and rigorous, taught by knowledgeable and independent experts, and provides an intensive and interactive educational and professional networking experience.
IPU Grid School is open to everyone and designed to meet the needs of the regulatory policy community, including commissioners and staff members of the federal and state public utility commissions, energy and environmental agency staff, legislative staff, consumer advocates, utility personnel (public and private), engineers, planners, investors, analysts, consultants, attorneys, and others interested in learning about the fundamentals of electricity grid. International attendees are very welcome. The program is designed to be eligible for continuing education credits as well as IPU's Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education (www.ipu.msu.edu/ccre).
For a list of IPU FAQ's Click Here.
*Contact us about discounts for IPU affiliates groups and multiple course registrations.
Learning Objectives
Grid School 1:
- To understand the basic engineering form and function of electricity grids.
- To understand grid functions from generation to transmission to distribution.
- To understand electricity economics market structures and regulation.
- To understand how energy resources are integrated into the power grid.
- To understand the technologies and policies driving sector transformation.
Grid School 2:
- To understand alternative technologies for supply, flexibility, and storage and their value and costs.
- To understand risk assessment, reliability, and resilience standards and practices.
- To understand integrated resource planning, supply portfolios, and the role of transmission.
- To understand sustainability, supply chains, and technology life cycles.
- To understand decarbonization and climate adaptation.
Grid School 3:
- To understand electricity sector trends, demand models and drivers, and electrification.
- To understand energy efficiency, demand response, and peak-load management.
- To understand economic evaluation of resource policy alternatives
- To understand consumer data, digitalization, and privacy issues.
- To understand energy communities, disparities, and justice in the transition to clean energy.
Testimonials
Don't just take our word for it hear what past Grid School attendees think about the program.
- I left with the best understanding I've ever had on the structure and interconnected sectors of the grid.
- I appreciated the relevance of the presentations covering current emerging topics for the electric utility industry.
- The best training I have attended. Congrats!
- Great information knowledgeable presenters wonderful facilities-keep it up!
- High level and detailed look at various parts of the grid system.
- I appreciated the material was presented in an unbiased manner.
- A very good program with highly qualified teachers. It was a privilege to be a part of.
Additional logistics
Materials: Attendees will have access to electronic materials including presentations and useful supplemental resources.
Attendee list: Out of respect for your privacy and in keeping with our educational mission we do not publicize our attendee lists in advance of our programs.
Cancellation and refunds: Cancellations are generally accepted until one week before the program but may result in forfeiture of a group discount. Program fees may be applied toward a future program or refunded. Substitutions are accepted at any time.
Comments and complaints: IPU welcomes program input and feedback. Participants will be asked to complete program evaluation forms. Comments and complaints about the program may be directed to IPU Director Dr. Erik Nordman (nordman7@msu.edu) or the IPU Operations Manager (ipu@msu.edu).
NASBA information
NASBA National Registry Statement: The Institute of Public Utilities 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 the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. Program Level: The program is classified as both intermediate and overview and is accessible to relatively new personnel working in the regulatory policy community. Prior participation in one of the basic courses or some relevant work experience is recommended but not required. The program focuses on the engineering and economics of power grids.
Program Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites apply to this program. However preparatory resources are available on the IPU program web page and prereading of some materials may be advised.
Program Delivery: The program delivery method is classified as group internet based with general lectures and opportunities for interaction live on zoom. Active learning and participation are encouraged. Program instructors are accessible for individual assistance throughout the program.
Field of study: This program is relevant to the following NASBA fields of study: administrative practice accounting and auditing (corporate and governmental) business law economics finance taxes regulatory ethics and specialized knowledge and applications. For program details and registration please visit ipu.msu.edu/grid.
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