ENERGY UTILITY BASICS 2025

logo for the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute with a blue and black background, white lettering, and the UW-madison crest.

WPUI’s ANNUAL FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

– SINCE 1982 –


OCTOBER 6-10

Hybrid Program

Attend In Person or Online

 

logo for the national association of regulatory utility commissioners with dark blue lettering and yellow highlights

photo of the front of the Pyle Center showing the langdon street entrance, on the university of wisconsin-Madison campus.


In-Person venue:
Pyle Center
702 Langdon St.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus
Madison WI 53706


COURSE SYNOPSIS

Energy Utility Basics is an intensive course on the fundamental concepts critical to being conversant in today’s energy industry. Course content is updated yearly as technology, regulation and markets evolve. WPUI has proudly presented this exceptional course each fall since 1983.

Course Summary: Participants will receive an overview of the history of the electric and natural gas industries, insights into regulatory decision-making, analysis of the current issues facing the energy industry, and more.

Benefits: Attendees will obtain practical knowledge of the operations and technology of the electricity and natural gas industries from extraction, whether from the ground or from renewables, to the customer’s bill.

Who Should Attend: The energy industry has undergone substantial changes, including changes in hiring practices. Twenty years ago, utility industry staff would learn about the industry by working their way up through the ranks. In today’s fast-moving business environment, staff often are hired from other industries, bringing along important skill sets but lacking a working knowledge of the energy industry.

Energy Utility Basics is intended for anyone working in the energy industry, including public interest groups, utility employees, legislative staff, regulatory staff, state and local government personnel. This course is for energy professionals, both those new to the industry as well as those assuming new responsibilities, who want a better grasp of how all the technological, financial, and administrative pieces of the energy puzzle fit together. Registration is open to the public.

REGISTRATION

Red rectangular button with white text which reads "registration" and which is linked to the registration page for this program.

Registration must be made in advance.

Completing registration and payment online is preferred.

Invoicing requests: wpuioffice@wpui.wisc.edu


IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE FEES:

 (Early Bird Fees end 08.29.2025/Regular Fees end 09.19.2025)
  • WPUI Member: $1,490/$1,590

  • Non-Member: $2,015/$2,115

  • Government (non-utility): $1,300/$1,400

ONLINE ATTENDANCE FEES:

 (Early Bird Fees end 08.29.2025/Regular Fees end 10.01.2025)
  • WPUI Member: $1,100/$1,200

  • Non-Member: $1,650/$1,750

  • Government (non-utility): $975/$1,075

DRAFT AGENDA

The draft agenda will be added.

All times are Central.
May include both in-person and remote speakers.


CEUs or Continuing Education Units

CEUs will be available for both In-Person and Online Attendance for each program.


Monday Oct. 6

Overview of Electric Industry
Utility Company Models
Public Service Commissions
ISO/Regional State Committees

Tuesday Oct. 7

Energy and Electricity
Electric Utility Business Systems
A Day in the Life of a Transmission Operator
A Day in the Life of a Distribution Company
Costing and Pricing

Wednesday Oct. 8

Fixed-cost Recovery Issues
Performance-Based Regulation
Utility Stock Prices
Consumer Advocate & the Rate Case Process
Changing Customer Expectations
Overview of
Madison Gas and Electric’s Renewables Projects

 

Optional In-Person Tour
(For In-Person Registrants Only)

University of Wisconsin-Madison Charter Street Heating & Cooling Plant

Thursday Oct. 9

Natural Gas
A Day in the Life of a Gas Company
Getting Work Done with a Smaller Carbon Footprint and Enabling Technologies

Friday Oct. 10

Getting Work Done with a Smaller Carbon Footprint and Enabling Technologies, continued
Legal Issues
Nuclear Energy

 

Optional In-Person Tour
(For In-Person Registrants Only)

University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering Nuclear Reactor

HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS

  • DoubleTree by Hilton
    • 525 W. Johnson St.
    • $179/night
    • 608-251-5511
    • Room block name: WPUI EUB 2025
    • Block expires 9/14/2025
  • Graduate by Hilton Madison
    • 601 Langdon St.
    • $169/night
    • 608-257-4391
    • Room block name: Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
    • Block expires 9/14/2025
  • Hampton Inn & Suites
    • 440 West Johnson St.
    • $138/night
    • 608-255-0360
    • Room block name: WPUI EUB 2025
    • Block expires 9/5/2025
  • Hilton Garden Inn
    • 770 Regent St.
    • TBD/night
    • 608-251-9588
    • Room block name: WPUI EUB 2025
    • Block expires 9/5/2025

HOTEL WALKING MAPS

Flyer for WPUI's October 2025 Energy Utility Basics program.

INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION

  • Registration for In-Person Attendance
    • Daily breaks and lunches
    • Networking Reception with light appetizers
    • Optional In-Person tours:
      • University of Wisconsin-Madison Charter Street Heating & Cooling Plant
      • University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering’s Nuclear Reactor
    • Access to daily web conference credentials
    • Online access to relevant program materials
    • Professional education credit confirmed by a Continuing Education Certificate
  • Registration for Online Attendance
    • Access to daily web conference credentials
    • Online access to relevant program materials
    • Professional education credit confirmed by a Continuing Education Certificate

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

March 31-April 4, 2025
Regional Transmission Organization Fundamentals & RTO Advanced - Hybrid Programs
June 24, 2025
Water - Online Program
September 9, 2025
Load Growth - Online Program
October 6-10, 2025
Energy Utility Basics 2025 - Hybrid Program
October 28, 2025
Energy Security - Online Program
October 5-9, 2026
Energy Utility Basics 2026 - Hybrid Program

COMPLETED PROGRAMS

January 23, 2025 Members-Only
Introducing the GREEN-Z Consortium
February 12, 2025 Members-Only
Short-Term Energy Outlook for 2025
March 18, 2025
Public Utilities Law Update - In-Person Program

REGISTRATION INFORMATION for WPUI’s October 6-10, 2025, ENERGY UTILITY BASICS PROGRAM

Substitutions must be made by COB 09.17.2025.
Cancellations made before COB 09.5.2025 will be refunded all but $150. Cancellations made  09.06.2025 through 09.17.2025 will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given or substitutions will be allowed 09.18.2025 or after.
Registration fee payments must be received before the program begins.

See the Registration Information page for additional details.