Planning our annual Midwest Regional Training Workshop for September 19-20, 2025 in Kansas City. We've secured the Marriott Downtown conference center and expecting 40-50 attendees from across the region. This year's focus will be on renewable energy integration impacts, battery storage tariffs, and new federal tax credit implications for utility customers. Early registration is $450 through August 15th. Who's interested? Need to gauge attendance for catering purposes.
Midwest Regional Training Workshop - Kansas City Sept 2025
Absolutely in Elmer! Indianapolis isn't too far and Duke Energy has been rolling out some complex time-of-use rates tied to renewable forecasting. The battery storage session sounds particularly relevant - seeing more and more commercial customers installing systems and the billing interactions are getting complicated.
I'm planning to fly in from Spokane. The renewable integration topic is huge out here with all the wind and hydro resources. Avista just launched a new net metering tariff that's incredibly complex. Would love to share some case studies and hear what other regions are dealing with.
Count me in! Wichita Falls is close enough to drive. AEP Texas has been experimenting with dynamic pricing based on renewable output predictions and it's creating billing headaches. Some customers are seeing 300% swings in real-time rates depending on wind forecasts. Need to understand the technical methodology behind these calculations.
Fantastic response! Dale and Mike, your regional perspectives will be valuable. Jeff, those AEP Texas dynamic pricing examples sound perfect for our case study session. I'm also trying to arrange a utility panel with representatives from Evergy, Ameren, and maybe AEP to discuss their renewable integration strategies from the utility perspective.
I'll be there! Grand Rapids to Kansas City is manageable. Consumers Energy just announced a major solar expansion program with some innovative rate structures. The battery storage component is particularly interesting - they're offering capacity payments to customers who allow grid access during peak periods.
Registered yesterday! Duke Energy Carolinas has been piloting some sophisticated demand response programs tied to renewable forecasting. When solar output drops unexpectedly, they can call on customer battery systems within minutes. The compensation mechanisms are complex but lucrative for participants.
Elmer, this looks like an excellent program! I'm planning to attend and would love to present on some of the federal tax credit coordination issues we're seeing. MLGW customers are increasingly asking about how the new manufacturing credits interact with utility incentive programs. There are some tricky double-dipping provisions that auditors need to understand.
Randy, absolutely! Your federal tax perspective would be perfect for the regulatory update session. I'll add you to the speaker lineup. We're up to 35 confirmed attendees now. Still working on the utility panel - Evergy confirmed, waiting to hear back from Ameren and AEP representatives.
Wish I could make it but Texas to Kansas City is a stretch for our budget this year. Any chance the sessions will be recorded? The battery storage tariff discussion would be incredibly valuable. CPS Energy is considering a pilot program and we need to understand the auditing implications.
Maria, unfortunately we can't record due to the utility panel confidentiality agreements. But I'll make sure we create detailed summaries of each session for sharing with members who can't attend. The battery storage discussion should generate some excellent takeaways for everyone.
Just registered! Alabama Power has been piloting some interesting renewable integration programs and I'd love to compare notes with other regions. The September timing works perfectly - harvest season is slower for our agricultural audits. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Kansas City.
Final reminder - early registration ends tonight! We're at 42 confirmed attendees which is fantastic. Elmer has put together an impressive agenda and the utility panel should provide some unique insider perspectives on where renewable integration is heading. See everyone in Kansas City!