Understanding the technical, economic and interconnection issues involved in developing a successful distributed generation project

The electricity marketplace is undergoing a tremendous transformation as it moves towards a more competitive environment. The 'growing pains' of this transformation - price instability, an ageing infrastructure, changing regulatory environments - are causing both energy users and electric utilities to take another look at the benefits of distributed generation [DG].

DG Benefits to an end-user of energy:

• Offset expensive peak-power with less expensive power generated on-site
• Reliable source of back-up power
• Improved power quality and reliability
• Retire inefficient heating boilers and use a heat recovery steam generator to produce hot water or steam
• Ability to externally sell power or thermal energy to the open market

DG Benefits to electric utilities or energy service companies:

• Retaining and adding value to current customer relationships through new, differentiated energy services and improved power quality and reliability
• Meeting growing local peak demands for existing customers without adding transmission and distribution upgrades with long payback schedules or new investments in central station generation
• Serving new commercial, industrial, or remote customers on a transmission and distribution system that already operates at near capacity
• Allowing for partnerships with renewable energy project developers

But when determining whether Distributed Generation is suitable for a particular application, it is necessary to consider both the technical and economic aspects of the site and of the DG unit to see if it is a good fit. Evaluating these aspects requires an understanding of the fundamentals of DG, as well as engineering expertise and financial analysis skills to make a sound business decision.

This two-day forum is ideal for a wide range of employees from the newly-hired to seasoned professionals that are looking to gain an understanding of the basics of distributed generation. This forum will provide an overview of the equipment and the circumstances that are necessary in a successful distributed generation project. Material that is tailored to the Alberta electricity market is presented to enable attendees to walk away with a real understanding of the things it takes to make a successful distributed generation project.

Day 1

9:00 AM Course Introduction

• Instructors introduction and background
• Overview of the program
• The Electric Industry Crisis- a Critical Review

10:15AM Break

10:30AM Overview of Distributed Generation

• Terminology of power production
• History of distributed generation
• Technology overview
• Applications of distributed generation systems

Noon- Lunch

1:00 Emissions Regulations and Impact on Power Generation
Manfred Klein, Environment Canada

• New regulations and their impact on generation
• Technology solutions
• How to work with regulatory bodies

2:15 Break

2:30 Engine & Turbine CHP Installations in Canada
Manfred Klein, Environment Canada

• Utility attitudes toward CHP projects
• Review of projects
• Where are we headed?

3:30 Engines and Engine Systems

• Technical fundamentals
• Packaged systems
• Vendors
• System applications

4:00 Adjournment

Day 2

8:30 Turbines & Microturbines

• Technical fundamentals
• History of microturbine development
• Vendors
• System applications

9:30 Fuel Cells and Emerging Technology

• Fuel cell components
• Fuel cell components
• Process description
• Vendors
• System applications

10:30 Break

10:45 Economics and Analysis of CHP

• Capital costs
• Revenue streams
• Cost analysis of operating expenses
• Determining simple payback
• Sophisticated economic evaluations

Noon - Lunch

1:00 Interconnection Standards

• Government regulations
• History of interconnection standard development
• Interconnection checklist

2:15 Break

2:30 The Evaluation Process: A Case Study of Distributed Generation

• Project description
• Technology assessment
• Cost analysis
• Economic evaluation

3:45-4:00 Forum Wrap-Up

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Now Offered

As president of Lumen Group, in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, Jim Crist specializes in strategic planning, marketing, business development, and sales for the energy industry. Earlier, he was vice president of marketing and product development for ERI Services and vice president of marketing for Citizens Utilities with primary responsibility for natural gas and electricity marketing, advertising, and sales activates in Louisiana, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona, and Hawaii. He also held a variety of marketing and engineering positions with Dominion Resources and its subsidiaries and was a resera4ch engineer for Occidental Petroleum. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh . He's a registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jim is a frequent and popular presenter at a number of training programs, and conferences. He keeps course activates lively and brings a high level of knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom.

When and Where
The Distributed Generation course will be held:
April 19-20, 2004 -- Edmonton, AB
Holiday Inn Palace
4235 Gateway Blvd., Edmonton, AB February 25-26, 2004 -- Calgary, AB
Holiday Inn Calgary Downtown
119-12th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
Tel: 403-266-4611

A special bedroom rate (non-commissionable) has been arranged with these hotels. To receive this rate, inform the hotel that you are a forum delegate when making reservations.

Registration Fees
The registration fee to attend the course is $649.00 + 51.92 GST. Register and prepay by February 9 and receive an early bird registration fee of $599.00 + 41.93 GST per delegate. Companies registering 3 delegates at the regular price ($649.00) will receive a 4th registration FREE.
The fee includes forum participation, a forum materials package, refreshments and luncheons on both days. (GST #R105219976)

Registration Procedure
To register, complete and mail the attached form with your payment (or billing instructions). For faster service, fax your form to Registration Services at Fax: (905) 686-1078 or call (905) 686-1040. You can also register on-line at www.electricityforumcom/forums/reg.htm
A letter of confirmation will be sent to you once the registration form is processed.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
Registration fees are refundable only upon receipt of written notification 10 days prior to the conference date, less a 10 per cent service charge. Substitution of participants is permissible.
The Canadian Electricity Forum reserves the right to cancel any conference it deems necessary and will, in such event, make a full refund of the registration fees.

About the Canadian Electricity Forum
With headquarters in Ajax, Ontario, The Canadian Electricity Forum is dedicated to providing cost-effective, highly specialized education and learning through industry-wide forums, electrical training courses, Electricity Today magazine, and a comprehensive website at www.electricityforum.com. Since 1986, more than 10,000 delegates from leading companies across Canada have attended our forums and courses, including: