In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Labs, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NARUC hosts virtual training events with experts on electricity-related topics throughout each year. Training topics have included electricity system planning, distribution systems and resilience planning, IDSP peer-sharing, regional distribution system planning trainings, innovations in electricity modeling, bulk power system issues, smart grid and EV interoperability, and cybersecurity. Shorter, more succinct training modules ranging from three to thirty minutes are available along with longer, more in-depth training courses ranging from one to three hours.
NARUC and the New England Conference of Public Utility Commissioners (NECPUC) offered free virtual training on electricity system planning in May and June 2022, in partnership with Berkeley Lab, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
NARUC, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), DOE, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided public utility commissions, state energy offices, and utility consumer advocates with in-person training on distribution system planning and resilience. The videos below were recorded during an event in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 20, 2024 and March 21, 2024.
Integrated Distribution System Planning Training:
Resilience Training:
NARUC, in partnership with Berkeley Lab and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, hosted peer-sharing sessions and webinars on integrated distribution system planning for public utility commissions between February and June 2023. Subject matter experts teed up the conversation with a brief presentation and Q&A session. Commission presenters shared their experiences, lessons learned and remaining challenges. The series provided structured opportunities for states to learn from each other.
Since 2017, NARUC has partnered with DOE and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to provide public utility commissions with regional, in-person and virtual training on electric distribution systems, utility distribution system planning, and approaches to state engagement in integrated distribution planning. Training sessions are customized to each region and have also included topics such as: planning for resilience and reliability, scenario modeling, hosting capacity analysis, and locational net benefits approaches. Below are links to a site for each training with agendas, presentations, and recordings if available:
The National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory offered free virtual training on innovations in electricity system modeling, in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in October and November 2021.
America’s bulk power system (BPS) is a large interconnected electrical system comprised of generation and transmission facilities, operated by various control systems. As the BPS continues to evolve, NARUC has been offering virtual training sessions aimed at electric utility regulators since 2021. This effort began as a collaborative between NARUC, NASEO, and NASUCA, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, and Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG).
These BPS courses are designed to introduce non-technical attendees to key technical concepts and their practical applications amidst an evolving electric system. Subject matter experts offer insights on topics identified and prioritized by the regulatory community.
The Smart Grid Learning Module series includes short (generally less than 15-minute) videos for state utility commissions on the economics of interoperability, operational considerations for interoperability, roles and responsibilities of state utility regulators, and related topics. Accompanying some modules is a list of relevant resources. An Interoperability Glossary is available for reference as well.
Module topics include:
Visit the Interoperability Learning Modules page to find all module recordings along with accompanying resources.
NARUC and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) have produced a set of on-demand cybersecurity training modules. Much of the content included in the training is based on NARUC's Cybersecurity Manual.
This training is designed for Public Utility Commissioners and Commission Staff but is open to others who have an interest in cybersecurity readiness and state utility regulation. Start your training journey today to stay at the forefront of utility regulation and cybersecurity readiness.
Visit the DOE CESER NARUC Training Hub and sign in or register to access the training modules.