Co-Located with 2026 IEEE PES General Meeting Montreal, Canada
21-23 July 2026
IEEE PES PLAIN TALK courses for the power industry professional will help you to understand technical aspects of the electric power industry, even if you do not have an engineering background. You will gain insights into the concerns of engineers, the demands of regulators and consumer groups, and the factors and trends that impact the operation of today’s electric power systems. These courses are also appropriate for new engineers to the industry, or for engineers in other fields who are transitioning to the electric power industry. These courses aim to increase your understanding of the electric power system by providing you with practical knowledge that you can use as you work in or with this important industry.
IEEE PES PLAIN TALK courses are co-located events rather than parts of the General Meeting, and thus, conference registration is not required to attend these courses.
TUESDAY, 21 JULY
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Instructor: Brent Olsen (Power System Basics) has 16 years of experience working at Electric Utilities Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP) and Portland General Electric (PGE). He has degrees in Electrical Engineering, Energy Policy and Management, Spanish, MBA & PMP. He has been a Distribution Engineer, Transmission Engineer, Generation engineer and is currently a Project Manager for Dispatchable Standby Generation. He teaches basics of electricity courses at Portland General Electric, Clackamas Community College and a variety of other groups. Brent lives in Portland with his wife and 3 energetic boys.
Course description: The focus of this course is to provide a fundamental foundation in electric power systems, from basic formulas to the planning, operations, and equipment involved in generating, transmitting, and distributing electric power. Basic electrical terminology will be explained in simple to understand language with regard to design, construction, operation and maintenance of power plants, substations, and transmission and distribution lines. Anyone who is involved in some way with the electric utility industry can benefit from attendance at this course.
Topics covered in the course include an introduction to the fundamentals and basic formulas of electricity as well as the equipment involved in the electric power system. An overview of generation, substations, transmission, distribution, and utilization is provided. Protection, reliable operation, and safety are among the topics covered.
WEDNESDAY, 22 JULY
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Prerequisite for this course is Power System Basics or a familiarity with basic formulas and power system equipment.)
Instructor: Doug Houseman (Distribution System) is a veteran of the industry, with many years of experience in the global industry. He has spent the last two decades consulting on T&D related issues. Doug is the Utility Modernization Lead at Burns & McDonnell and the former vice president of Technical Innovation at EnerNex. He is a senior member of IEEE and a very active member of the Power and Energy Society. His work spans more than 50 countries and more than 200 utilities.
Course description: The focus of this course is to provide attendees with an overview of the issues associated with the planning, engineering, design, operation, and automation of electrical distribution systems. Types of distribution systems and network circuits, as well as engineering issues related to distribution systems will be explored. New concepts in the design, challenges, and operation of smart grid will be addressed. This course is intended for those who are not familiar with the delivery of electricity to the end user.
Topics covered in the course include an introduction to the types of distribution systems, issues associated with distribution planning such as outages and reliability, distribution engineering considerations relating to radial and secondary networks, and distribution automation. The course also provides an overview of electrical distribution operations, including the roles of utility personnel, construction and maintenance considerations, and trends in the industry. Smart grid and its impact on the distribution system will be explored.
THURSDAY, 23 JULY
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Prerequisite for this course is Power System Basics or a familiarity with basic formulas and power system equipment.)
Instructor: Mostafa Sedighizadeh, PhD, PE is currently part of the Planning Policy & Research team at Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. He brings over 25 years of experience in the electric power systems industry, with a professional background that spans substation and transmission line design, as well as transmission system planning and research.
Course description: The focus of this course is to provide participants with knowledge of how electric power is transferred from generation sources to distribution systems via the interconnected electric bulk power system known as “the grid.” Basic physical laws governing the grid will be introduced, as well as the regulatory agencies involved in its governance. The great blackouts will be explored. This course is intended to increase participant’s understanding of the electric grid and how it functions in the electric power system.
Topics covered in the course include an introduction to the fundamental concepts of power, energy, and power system stability as they relate to the grid. The grid is explored in terms of its interconnections, power flow, North American interconnections, and governing bodies such as NERC/ERO, ISOs, and RTOs. Reliability standards and contingency analysis are addressed. Issues related to the planning and operation of the grid, such as transmission and economic constraints, determining transmission transfer capability, and dealing with congestion, are reviewed. The course also discusses the great blackouts, their root causes, and lessons learned.
WHO WILL BENEFIT:
- Non-technical personnel working at electric utilities
- Engineers and other technical personnel transitioning to the power industry
- Sales, accountants, media professionals, marketing and support personnel at power system suppliers
- Power industry policymakers, attorneys, regulators and their staff
- New hires at any power industry employer
- ANYONE with an interest in learning about the electric power systems upon which we all depend.
IEEE PES PLAIN TALK courses for the power industry professional will help you to understand technical aspects of the electric power industry, even if you do not have an engineering background. You will gain insights into the concerns of engineers, the demands of regulators and consumer groups, and the factors and trends that impact the operation of today’s
electric power systems. These courses are also appropriate for new engineers to the industry, or for engineers in other fields who are transitioning to the electric power industry.
THE COURSE CURRICULUM includes:
- Day 1: Power System Basics – Understanding How the Bulk Electric Power System Works
- Day 2: Distribution System – Delivering Power to the Customer
- Day 3: Transmission System – The Interconnected Bulk Electric System
THE ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM enables our economy and society to function. In some way everything that impacts our lives, from where we live to where we work, from our government to our infrastructure, is dependent on a secure and reliable supply of electricity. Yet many individuals, including those who work in or with the electric power industry, do not have a basic understanding of the electric power system, how it operates or how it is evolving. These courses aim to increase your understanding of the electric power system by providing you with practical knowledge that you can use as you work in or with this important industry.
COURSE ENROLLMENT FEES:
The course fee includes Continental breakfast (7:30 AM – 8:00 AM), lunch, electronic course materials and CEU/ PDH certificate(s) each day you attend.
Courses start promptly at 8:00 AM. You may register on-site if seats are available. Each day’s course is eligible for 0.8 CEUs / 8 PDHs.
Plain Talk (3) Courses – Early Bird Rate $1,935 Standard Rate- $2,150
Plain Talk (2) Courses – Early Bird Rate- $1,360 Standard Rate- $1,510
Plain Talk (1) Course- Early Bird Rate- $715 Standard Rate- $795
Early Bird Ends June 1, 2026.
GROUP DISCOUNT RATES apply to two or more registrants from the same organization for 10% OFF.
Contact LaToya Gourdine at +1-732-981-2876 or email [email protected] PRIOR to registering in order to obtain a group discount code.