The Smart Grid and Sustainable Communities

New for Spring 2011

Creating a Smart Grid Policy for Oregon: You Be the Architect

Register now! | Download flier | Download Preliminary Syllabus

NEW: In response to recent requests, we have arranged to record the classes and post the videos online for registered participants. If there is sufficient interest, we have the option to stream the class live so registered students with an Internet connection can watch and participate. We have been advised that interactivity is a bit limited in that there is about a 30 second lag; still, it should be possible for participants who cannot attend sessions in person to post messages, chat live with the help of PSU’s new Desire2Learn software, or e-mail questions during the presentations. We encourage students to participate in person when possible so they receive the full benefit of participating in the small group learning communities.

This spring, our innovative interdisciplinary smart grid seminar will take a “deep dive” into the fascinating efforts to develop an effective Smart Grid policy for Oregon.  We will go far beyond simply analyzing the key issues and debates that are swirling around the still emerging set of concepts, technologies, applications and business models that could transform the nation’s century-old, centralized power grid into a climate, renewable-energy, and consumer friendly “Smart Grid.” Student teams will also offer their policy recommendations to senior policy makers themselves through a simulated but realistic policy process.  The teams will prepare decision memos and briefing books that present and support their recommendations to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission and interested utilities themselves. And they will do so at a critical time, when options are still emerging and stakeholders are particularly open to new ideas and approaches.

The Commission has launched two historic investigations to establish a framework that will guide investor-owned utilities as they launch their Smart Grid planning efforts, and explore the appropriate role for utilities in the development of Oregon’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, consumer-owned utilities in Oregon and throughout the region and collaborating with the Bonneville Power Administration to consider how they can take advantage of the Smart Grid’s benefits. Many other stakeholders are engaged in these discussions, including a new trade association (Smart Grid Oregon), groups concerned about consumer protections (Citizens’ Utility Board), EV companies, state agencies, and environmental coalitions.  Many are eager to share their ideas with you; they are equally interested in hearing your suggestions.

This is a great opportunity to both witness and influence the making of public policy in a brand new area. Local experts will guide the student teams; the teams will also hear from experts from other states that are exploring innovative approaches that are still new to the Northwest.  Winter term participants are encouraged to continue the journey with us, but new participants are also most welcome to join in.  We will make a special effort to help bring newcomers up to speed; they can start by reading the course blog at the Smart Grid Oregon website.

Students taking the spring term course will get a "ring-side seat" to observe and perhaps even influence the shaping of public policy associated with Smart Grid policy in Oregon. They will also receive extensive guidance on how to actually do public policy analysis. With the help of two of the most respected practical guides to effective policy analysis, and the support of faculty who bring to the class many years of "real-world" experience as professional energy policy analysts, students will be in an excellent position to apply their new policy analysis skills to the emerging Smart Grid policy arena. These analytical skills will be just as valuable when applied to other public policy issues. While this class will focus on issues related to Smart Grid policy in particular and energy policy more generally, the analytic skills you develop in this class can transfer to other public policy domains as well.

Depending on the number of course participants, students will form 2-4 policy teams (also known as small group learning communities) and select a current Smart Grid-related policy topic from a range of options recommended by the faculty and a Smart Grid Policy Review Panel. They will develop and present their policy recommendations to the Review Panel with the help of a team of policy experts. The course faculty is currently recruiting members of the Review Panel, including current or former Oregon Public Utilities Commissioners and staff, relevant senior staff from the Bonneville Power Administration and from investor and consumer-owned electric utilities operating in Oregon, senior representatives from the Smart Grid industry, and senior staff representing the interests of electric consumers in the state. The Review Panel will meet with the student teams on two occasions - approximately half way through the term (to relieve a progress report and provide guidance) and toward the end of the term (to receive and provide feedback on a policy briefing book and presentation). Other policy experts will offer presentations and provide guidance to the student teams throughout the term.

As with the Winter Term course that preceded it, the Spring Term course is designed to serve two key audiences:

• Graduate students in engineering, information technology, public administration and policy, urban planning, business, economics, and related fields from PSU and other local universities; and
• Current and emerging leaders from utility, information technology, public administration, urban, transportation and water resource planning, architecture and design, business, and other fields.

Spring Term Course Faculty

Jeffrey Hammarlund, Adjunct Professor, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, and President, Northwest Energy and Environmental Strategies, will continue as lead faculty. He will be supported by Dr. Conrad Eustis, Adjunct Professor, Portland State University, and Director, Retail Technology Development, Portland General Electric; James Mater, Co-founder and Director, QualityLogic and founding board member, Smart Grid Oregon; Michael Jung, Policy Director, Silver Springs Networks and founding board member, Smart Grid Oregon; and Ken Nichols, energy consultant, plus many other local and national experts.