Fundamentals of Power Delivery for the Non-Electrical Professional

Upcoming dates (1)

Sep. 16-18, 2025

Online

Course Overview

This course introduces the core concepts of power delivery, from generation to distribution, in a format designed for non-electrical professionals. Participants will explore key utility terminology, system components, and the roles of regulatory bodies, while also examining how emerging technologies like DERs and energy storage are reshaping the grid. Whether you're in customer service, project management, or operations, this course provides the foundational knowledge needed to engage confidently in utility-related discussions and decisions.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the structure and function of the electric grid, including generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
  • Identify the major players and regulatory bodies in the power industry and their roles.
  • Recognize the impact of new technologies such as distributed energy resources and battery storage on utility operations.

Who Should Attend?

  • Utility professionals in customer service, supply chain, regulatory, or management roles.
  • Project managers, consultants, and contractors working with utility clients or infrastructure.
  • Engineers and technical staff new to the power industry or transitioning from other disciplines.

Course Outline

Basics of Electricity

  • What is it?
  • History
  • Types of loads
  • Definitions of terms

The Electric Grid

  • Generation
  • Transmission
  • Distribution
  • Changes to system with advent of distributed energy resources and storage

Substations

  • Main equipment
  • Control systems
  • Difference between generation, transmission and distribution substations

Generation

  • Types of fuel
  • Generators
  • Renewables

Transmission

  • Components
  • Transmission voltages
  • Challenges
  • Transmission reliability
  • Overhead vs underground transmission
  • High Voltage DC transmission
  • Transmission Control center operations

Distribution

  • Distribution voltages
  • Distribution planning
  • Reliability
  • Overhead vs underground distribution
  • Metering
  • Distribution control center operations

Major Players

  • NERC
  • FERC
  • Public Service Commissions
  • ISO

Safety Practices

New Technologies

Instructor

Steven Blume

Steve is a registered professional engineer with a master’s degree in electrical engineering specializing in power systems, a bachelor’s degree specializing in telecommunications, and a NERC certified reliability coordinator. Steve’s 40 years in engineering and operations includes generation, transmission, distribution, protection, safety, and high voltage testing. He is active in IEEE and has published two books. Steve is the founder of Applied Professional Training and APT College.

Upcoming dates (1)

Program Director

Shalini Bhat

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