Primer on the Planning and Operation of Large-Scale Electric Grids | September 15-17, 2026
Electricity is the lifeblood of our modern society, and for most this electricity is supplied by large-scale, interconnected electric grids. Engineered as the ultimate in plug-and-play convenience, the wall outlet is actually the gateway to the world’s largest and most complex machine. The goal of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction for those without an in-depth electric power engineering background on how such electric grids are designed and operated, and on how they are likely to change in the future. The electric grid of the past, which was primarily power by large-scale fossil-fuel generators, is no longer a reality and the current system is rapidly changing. The integration of vast amounts of renewable generation resources along with the addition of new technologies such as energy storage and large amounts of digital technology supporting its design and operation, also known as the smart grid, are presenting many new opportunities and challenges. This course is focused on providing a non-technical introduction for those who need to understand the design and operation of electric grids.
Fundamentals of Electric Transmission Planning | October 6-8, 2026
High voltage electric grids are some of the world’s most complex machines, whose present high levels of reliability have been achieved through careful planning. The purpose of this three-day short course is to provide a comprehensive coverage of the processes used in doing this planning. The course philosophy is to provide a practical, hands-on approach to describing electric transmission grid planning, with abundant practical examples illustrating each stage in the process. Particular attention will be given to those studies driven by regulatory processes relevant to utilities in North America such as by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Throughout the course concepts will be illustrated using common industrial planning tools including PowerWorld Simulator with some hands-on exercises. Collectively the three course instructors have decades of experience in doing electric power system planning, planning software tool development, and engineering education.
Printed Circuit Board Design Fundamentals
In this course, learners will explore key concepts related to printed circuit board (PCB) design and manufacturing. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the Allegro X System Capture Schematic Editor, where they will learn to create schematic parts, develop both flat and hierarchical schematics, design variants, and produce netlists. Also, the course will cover the Allegro X PCB Editor layout design, enabling learners to apply design constraints, effectively place and route their designs, and create essential manufacturing outputs. Finally, participants will use Allegro X DesignTrue DFM to develop and implement a new set of design for manufacturing (DFM) constraints, ensuring their designs meet industry standards for manufacturability.
Electric Grid Impacts of Geomagnetic Disturbances | Virtual Registration
Geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), caused by solar coronal mass ejections, have the potential to significantly impact the operation of the high voltage electric grid by causing geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). Over the last decade there has been significant research, industry interest, and regulatory concern about the impact of GMDs on the high voltage electric grid. The purpose of this two-day short course is to put the GMD issue into proper perspective by providing a comprehensive coverage of what is currently known about the impact of GMDs on the grid, the tools being used for their assessment in planning and operations, and the current areas of research.