Conference Program - American Public Power Association

Breakout
Sessions
17. Wind Generation: What
Happens When the Wind Stops?
The introduction of wind into generation
resource portfolios is becoming
commonplace. In some states,
it’s a legal requirement. But what if
the wind does not blow when you
need it most? Hear about the challenges
of wind integration and intermittency,
generation reserve
requirements, and steps you can
take to better match wind generation
with actual electricity load.
18. Carbon Sequestration:
What Is It, Will It Work,
How Much Will It Cost?
While carbon sequestration is often
touted as the solution to dealing
with the CO 2 output of new coalfired
power plants, no utility has yet
implemented this technology. Attendees
in this session will hear the
best information available on how
this technology will work, what it will
cost, and whether it is practical to
plan on its availability.
19. Effective Community Energy
Efficiency Programs
With conservation and energy efficiency
gaining popularity among
utilities and customers, it is important
to have a comprehensive approach
to developing and gaining
customer acceptance of your utility’s
programs. Hear how utilities are
planning, implementing, and getting
customer buy-in for communitywide
energy conservation and efficiency
programs.
Tuesday, June 11 a.m.–Noon
20. Using Performance
Measurement as a Tool for
Effective Management
Most modern enterprises have numerous
employees, activities, and
functions. Since it is impractical to
directly observe and manage every
function that is performed, managers
must also use quantitative
and qualitative indicators to determine
performance. Learn how such
indicators (including APPA’s “Ratio
Indicator Report”) are put together
and used by public power utilities.
21. Handling Critical
Infrastructure Protection Issues
Mandatory NERC Critical Infrastructure
Protection standards have
prompted many utilities to look at
the entire system—from generation
to load, from physical to cyber—
and ask the question, “Are we
protected from an incursion?”
Speakers at this session will look
at real-world examples of electric
system vulnerability and break
down how each utility needs to
address its weaknesses.
22. APPA’s EMRI
Grassroots Campaign:
A Report From the Field
Attendees will receive an update on
the Electric Market Reform Initiative
(EMRI) grassroots and media activities
designed to inform policymakers
of the pervasive and growing
problems in RTO-run wholesale
markets. Participants will also hear
how to effectively use the tools and
related materials developed for the
campaign so they can assist APPA
in this effort.
23. Risk Assessment:
Issues for Boards and Executives
Every utility must be ready to respond
to catastrophic events, such
as a natural disaster, a flu pandemic,
or the loss of a major supplier.
Attendees will identify possible
sources of disruption, develop a
business continuity plan, and find
out what steps should be taken
ahead of time to protect the utility.
24. Customer Service
Benchmarking
Benchmarking can help utilities assess
their performance in customer
service areas by comparing their
operations to those of other utilities.
Hear about some of the emerging
customer service practices identified
in APPA’s Customer Service
Benchmarking survey, and learn
how APPA members are using
benchmarking to identify ways to
improve their operations.
25. How Broadband Benefits
the Utility and the Community
It Serves
A municipal utility’s decision to deploy
broadband technologies can
have a positive effect on both local
economic development and the internal
efficiency of the electric
power business. Broadband can be
attractive to new businesses looking
to locate in your community. At the
same time, studies have shown that
publicly owned utilities that have deployed
information-based control
systems exhibit increased efficiency
in customer service, information,
and sales. This session will address
public power’s experiences with
broadband and how it can help the
utility and the broader community.