Distributed generation has become a viable option and is gaining wider acceptance to utilities, customers, and independent power producers. While DG offers many advantages, the utility typically requires system impact study for interconnecting DG to the existing electric grid to ensure it would not adversely impact the operation, reliability and safety of the grid. This course covers the technical aspects of DG integration from the viewpoint of both independent power producer and utility. Specific topics include: islanding, steady state power flow, voltage regulation, short-circuit, protective relaying, power quality (flicker and harmonic), power factor, system stability, grounding, and ground fault overvoltage.

Pterra conducts training in power technology subjects, not as a primary line, but in response to a perceived need. Occasionally, work in analytical consulting leads to knowledge and skills that clients and associates desire to acquire. And we are more than happy to oblige, if only to break the stream of days spent talking to computers (instead of people). Plus there is something strangely attractive in speaking to minds that are just exploring this lifetime field, electric power. We hope that most will stay on and help the industry. And we hope that some new insight will consolidate our own understanding of how electrons move. This is not to say that these courses are aimed for Gen X’ers alone. But a noticeable percentage who attend do come from that demo.