45th PLMA Conference

45th PLMA Conference Agenda 

Click Here to Purchase
Session Recordings

(for non-attendees only)

Chris Walls, Baltimore Gas & Electric Conference Co-Chair
Chris Walls

Baltimore Gas & Electric
Peter Bergeron, CPower Conference Co-Chair
Peter Bergeron

CPower

Joyce Bodoh, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Conference Co-Chair
Joyce Bodoh

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative


Wifi Sponsored by EnergyHub

8:00 - 9:30 am | Shared Breakfast: Evolution Training Participants and Interest Groups

9:00 am - 4:30 pm
TRAINING CLASS: Evolution of DR to DER
This one-day class explains how today’s demand response initiatives are evolving to interact with a future that includes distributed energy resources for peak load management, and much more. The class content expands on the concepts presented in the PLMA white paper, Evolution of Demand Response.

John Powers, Extensible Energy Co-Chair John Powers
CEO
Extensible Energy
Paul Wassink, National Grid Co-Chair Paul Wassink
Senior Engineer, DER Program Manager
National Grid

Concurrent Interest Group Activities
Join PLMA's Interest Groups as they host candid conversations with flexible load management practitioners who represent both the utility and vendor perspectives. Meet, talk, and network with colleagues who will share their challenges and lessons learned in Customer Engagement, Connected Devices, Electric Transportation, Global Load Management, and Retail Pricing.

9:30 - 11:00 am
Retail Pricing
Christopher Gallo, ConEdison; Allison Hamilton, NRECA; Farrokh Albuyeh, OATI; and Jordan Folks, Opinion Dynamics
Tomorrow’s Pricing, Today
As smart meters become ubiquitous, and technologies like DERs and connected devices continue to emerge, energy companies are re-examining their pricing structures with an eye toward the future. Across the country, utilities are experimenting with rates that better align retail and wholesale pricing, mitigate cross-subsidies, enable smart-home and electric-vehicle adoption, and offer customers greater control, choice, and convenience. Join us as our panel of experts discusses current retail pricing initiatives, and what might be just around the corner.

9:00 - 11:00 am
Spark DER Innovation (A PLMA Strategic Initiative)
Tom Hines, APS; Richard Barone, TRC Companies; and Eric Van Orden, Virtual Peaker
Let's Talk About DER Tariff Aggregation!
Arizona is currently exploring the development of a DER aggregation tariff that would reward aggregators who deliver valuable grid services. Join us for an interactive discussion around the design of DER aggregation tariff orders, based on the experiences of Arizona and Hawaii, as well as a look at the opportunities and challenges that 3rd party aggregation models bring to managing DERs across all regions of the U.S.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Shared Lunch: Evolution Training Participants and Interest Groups

12:00 - 2:00 pm
Electric Transportation
Gary Smith, Sagewell; Carlos Hill, Xcel Energy; Kristy Fleischmann Groncki, BGE; Joyce Bodoh, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; and Jason McGrade, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative
The Latest EV Insights from Leading Utilities and Researchers
This session has two exciting segments: First, several utilities will share news and insights on their EV programs, including their regulatory environments, needs of their service territories, challenges, and successes. Second, two prominent researchers will present insights on enhancing and elevating how customers engage with EV offerings, and how best to maximize program success and impacts. Presenters include: Xcel Energy, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, and Sagewell.

12:00 - 2:00 pm
Customer Engagement
Vanessa Richter, Oracle Utilities and Lenore Zeuthen, Active Customer Engagement (ACE)
Behavioral Science and the Customer Journey
Join us and rotate through three break-out group discussions, and a group conversation, in which participants will share their insights and experiences with:

  • Customer engagement as it relates to behavioral science and data-driven action
  • Planning and mapping the customer journey
  • Customer program wins/losses and what has worked/not worked in recent programs

2:00 - 2:30 pm | Shared Refreshment Break: Evolution Training Participants and Interest Groups

2:30 - 4:30 pm
Connected Devices
Cindy Berry, Austin Energy; Kari Binley, ecobee; and J.T. Thompson, Generac Grid Services
The Ecosystem of Connected Devices in a FERC 2222 World
Connected Devices takes center stage in the new world of FERC 2222! Following an overview of FERC 2222 (what it is, why it’s needed), we’ll speak with aggregators, connected device vendors, and utilities who will each share their perspectives on how 2222 impacts their businesses. We’ll then bring all of these stakeholders together for a panel discussion on what a FERC 2222 future might look like.

2:30 - 3:45 pm
Global Load Management
Ross Malme, Malme Energy Consulting; Michael Brown, NV Energy; Jon Hilowitz, Orange and Rockland Utilities; and Scott Coe, GridOptimize
North American Energy Impacts Resulting from Ukraine
This roundtable discussion with two global experts with in-depth regional knowledge of Ukraine and eastern Europe will explore whether current events represent a set-back or acceleration for decarbonization; what a reduction in Russian natural gas could mean for DR and load flexibility; and North American impacts of the evolving energy situation on utilities, vendors, and consumers, as well as on cyber and energy security.

3:45 - 4:00 pm
Stretch Break

4:00 - 4:30 pm
Member Engagement
New to PLMA and have questions? Join several seasoned pros and get the inside scoop on navigating the conference, making connections (we love to facilitate introductions!), and meet your peers.

4:30 - 5:30 pm
PLMA Interest Groups Meetup
Please join PLMA's Interest Groups for refreshments, fun, casual networking, and a welcome back to in-person conferences. All conference attendees are welcome!

5:30 - 6:00 pm
Board of Directors' Dinner Service
PLMA invites all board members to pick up dinner at the PLMA buffet, and join us for the Board Meeting which begins promptly at 6 pm. Please Note: The dinner and meeting are for PLMA board members only.

6:00 - 8:00 pm
Spring Board of Directors' Meeting
Beginning promptly at 6 pm, this bi-annual working dinner is a closed business meeting for PLMA board members and at-large- representatives listed at www.peakload.org/Leadership.

8:00 - 10:00 pm
Welcome Reception and Celebration, Sponsored by Opinion Dynamics
Join PLMA's Members, Officers, Executive Committee, Board, and Staff for our first in-person gathering since 2019. We'll be serving up refreshments, networking, laughter, and lots of opportunities to connect and reconnect. Open to all conference attendees—can't wait to see you!

7:30 - 8:30 am | General Breakfast plus Drop-In with PLMA's Women in DM Group, Sponsored by Generac Grid Services (everyone welcome!)

General Session 1

Christine Riker, Energy Solutions Co-Chair Christine Riker
Energy Solutions
Troy Eichenberger, Tennessee Valley Authority Co-Chair Troy Eichenberger
Tennessee Valley Authority

8:30 - 8:45 am
Opening Remarks from the Chair

Richard Barone, TRC Companies Richard Barone
Chief Growth Officer, Renewables
TRC Companies

8:45 - 9:00 am
Welcoming Remarks

Chris Walls, Baltimore Gas & Electric Chris Walls
Manager - Demand Response Programs
Baltimore Gas & Electric

9:00 - 9:50 am
Gamifying the Peak Load Reduction Experience for Better Results and Happier Customers
With extreme weather making demand flexibility increasingly important, recent studies from ACEEE and The Brattle Group reinforce the value of involving customers in decarbonization. Behavioral demand response (BDR), a cost-effective approach to engagement, alerts customers of impending events, drives energy awareness, and provides an effective path to participation. This session will discuss two utilities' successful BDR experiences.

Julie Cain, CPS Energy Julie Cain
Program Manager
CPS Energy
Oliver Daniels III Oliver Daniels III
Integration Architect
SMUD Systems
Vanessa Richter Vanessa Richter
Oracle VP
Opower

9:50 - 10:30 am
Exploring Demand Response Events Through a Smart Home Lens
Pepco's Smart Home pilot focused on DR capacity that resulted from customers installing Smart Home Kits to control medium and large loads. Leveraging People Power’s IoT system, Pepco's Smart Home app gave customers real-time access to energy efficiency automations and the ability to quickly adjust installed devices. With 80% of eligible customers participating in 10 DR events during the 2020 season, this pilot identified key DR opportunities.

Kevin Thompson Kevin Thompson
Demand Side Management
Pepco Holdings – An Exelon Company
Emma Burger Emma Burger
Residential Programs Manager
ICF
 

10:30 - 11:00 am | Refreshment Break in the Sponsor Lounge, Sponsored by Copper Labs

General Session 2

Chris Walls, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co-Chair Chris Walls
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Peter Bergeron, CPower Energy Management Co-Chair Peter Bergeron
CPower Energy Management

11:00 - 11:30 am
New Approaches to Achieve Greater Load Flexibility in Buildings for Low Carbon Energy Systems
Learn about the California Research and Development Load Flexibility Hub, a new 4-year program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate technology that improves load flexibility. CalFlexHub is testing the CA Energy Commission's Load Management Standards which are developing the ability to send digital electricity tariffs to devices. Acting as a control signal, these tariffs will prompt devices to change their electric use.

Mary Ann PietteMary Ann Piette
Director Building Technology and Urban Systems Division
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Mark Martinez, Southern California EdisonMark Martinez
Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets & Technology Program
Southern California Edison
John Powers, Extensible Energy John Powers
CEO
Extensible Energy
Beth Reid Beth Reid
CEO
Olivine, Inc.

11:30 am -12:00 pm
19th PLMA Awards Presentation

Brett Feldman, Guidehouse Brett Feldman
Energy Efficiency Manager
National Grid
Peter Bergeron, CPower Energy Management Peter Bergeron
VP and General Manager, Utility Programs
CPower Energy Management
Kevin Knight, Baltimore Gas & ElectricKevin Knight
Senior Program Manager
Baltimore Gas & Electric

12:00 - 1:30 pm | Lunch in the Sponsor Lounge, Sponsored by ICF

General Session 3

Andrea Simmonsen, Idaho Power Co-Chair Andrea Simmonsen
Idaho Power
Jenny Roehm, Schneider Electric Co-Chair Jenny Roehm
Schneider Electric

1:30 - 3:00 pm
Managed Charging in Electric Transportation: What's Happening Currently? What's Coming Next?
Like other DR programs, a successful EV charging DR program requires a customer-friendly experience; one that includes reliable charging, ease of use, and lower emissions. It must also attract and recruit customers who best match the program's needs and who can benefit the grid. Learn about the current state of EVs and managed charging, and what's coming in the next wave of developments.

Smriti Mishra Smriti Mishra
Director of Utility Partnerships
WeaveGrid
Carlos Hill Carlos Hill
Senior Product Developer
Xcel Energy
Kristy Fleischmann Groncki Kristy Fleischmann Groncki
Manager of Strategic Programs
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Timothy Treadwell Timothy Treadwell
Customer Technology Development Manager
Portland General Electric
Gary Smith Gary Smith
VP of Programs
Sagewell
Beth Reid Beth Reid
CEO
Olivine, Inc.
Brittany Fischer Brittany Fischer
Electric Vehicle Customer Programs
Consumers Energy
Adam Langton Adam Langton
Energy Services Manager of Connected eMobility
BMW of North America
Michelle Bogen Michelle Bogen
Senior Program Manager, Vehicle Grid Integration
Pacific Gas & Electric

3:00 - 3:30 pm | Refreshment Break in the Sponsor Lounge, Sponsored by Copper Labs

General Session 4

Ruth Kiselewich, ICF Co-Chair Ruth Kiselewich
ICF
Michael Brown, Berkshire Hathaway, NV Energy Co-Chair Michael Brown
Berkshire Hathaway, NV Energy

3:30 - 4:00 pm
Optimized Control of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Through Dynamic Digital Rates
PG&E and Olivine present their DRET Digital Study on price-optimized load shifting that sends digital rates, created by integrating smart meter data and modeling complex rate tariffs, to end-use devices. Presenters will review several price delivery models, their benefits, data requirements, and potential challenges. An overview of other price delivery projects will include CEC CalFlexHub and the CPUC Unified, Universal, Dynamic, Economic Energy (UNIDE) project.

Robert Anderson Robert Anderson
CTO
Olivine, Inc.
Albert Chiu Albert Chiu
Product Manager, Integrated Grid Planning and Innovation
Pacific Gas & Electric
Vasudha Lathey Vasudha Lathey
VP of DER Community Programs
Olivine, Inc.
Abigail Shelton Abigail Shelton
Lead Engineering Solutions
Olivine, Inc.

4:00 - 4:30 pm
It’s Not TOU, It’s Me! How Smart Speakers Can Help Utilities Keep Customers on TOU
Although residential TOU rates help utilities load balance, customers often struggle to manage their usage so they too benefit from these rates. SCE is helping its residential TOU customers by providing them with smart speaker technology. Learn how smart speakers, when linked to a utility account and paired with an automation platform and other smart devices, directly empower customers and serve as an effective customer communications channel.

Randy Robinson Randy Robinson
Senior Product Manager
SCE
Monica Thilges Monica Thilges
Energy Management Solutions Director
APTIM
Orly Hasidim Orly Hasidim
Utility Executive
Universal Devices

4:30 - 5:00 pm
Sponsor Showcase Lightning Round
In this rapid-fire introduction, several of our sponsors will present a 3-minute overview of their current solutions and their plans to address future opportunities and challenges within the DR/DER space. Rather than sales pitches, these openers will help set the stage for thoughtful follow-up conversations in the Sponsor Lounge, as well as post-conference. Please join us!

Copper Labs OpenADR Alliance ORACLE Uplight  

5:00 - 7:00 pm | Networking Reception in the Sponsor Lounge, Sponsored by Oracle

8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast in the Sponsor Lounge

Track A
Don McPhail, Uplight Co-Chair Don McPhail
Uplight
Joyce Bodoh, Rappahannock Electric CooperativeCo-Chair Joyce Bodoh
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

9:00 - 9:30 am
DRMS and Its Role in Supporting DER Growth
As DERs continue to grow, creating new operational challenges and opportunities, utilities need new tools to support grid modernization. Because DERs can cause bi-directional power flows, utility operators need a way to control combinations of DERs. A demand response management system (DRMS) can provide that capability. Learn how DRMS have the unique potential to empower and enable utilities to better support their distribution grid operations.

Joseph Schlusselberg Joseph Schlusselberg
Senior Specialist
Con Edison
Gyan Mohapatra Gyan Mohapatra
Project Manager
Ernst and Young
Track B
Melissa Knous, Duke Energy Co-Chair Melissa Knous
Duke Energy
Debyani Ghosh, GuidehouseCo-Chair Debyani Ghosh
Guidehouse

9:00 - 9:30 am
Smart for Smart: Leveraging Analytics to Maximize Smart Thermostat DR Program Engagement and Impacts
While the DR capabilities of smart thermostats serve utilities well, DR potential is assessed in aggregate without consideration for customer behaviors. Using data that connects customer setpoint preferences with housing and socio-demographics, its possible to predict the likelihood they will deliver load reductions during events. Learn how customer characteristics drive DR event performance, and how best to engage them in ongoing program support.

Kessie Avseikova Kessie Avseikova
Vice President
Opinion Dynamics
Kurt Sempf Kurt Sempf
Energy Efficiency Strategy Manager
Alliant Energy

Track A

9:30 - 10:00 am
Integrating Program Design, Forecasting, and Orchestration for Coincident Peak Management
Effective demand management is improved by integrating program design with software that can forecast high-demand periods and manage enrolled assets. Holy Cross Energy’s Power+ and Peak Time Payback programs worked with the Camus Energy platform to integrate enrolled DER assets, including batteries, and dispatched them to reduce coincident peak costs. Learn about this forecasting methodology and how program design and execution has saved Holy Cross money while driving customer DER adoption.

Dylan Cutler Dylan Cutler
Product Manager, Markets and Forecasting
Camus Energy
David Stuebe David Stuebe
Senior Engineer, Forecast Leads
Camus Energy
David Manning David Manning
Resource Scheduling Analyst
Holy Cross Energy

Track B

9:30 - 10:00 am
EcoPort – Enabling the Electric Water Heater DR Market
The new CTA-2045 standard for water heater communication modules is known as an "EcoPort." Heat pump water heaters, a growing category of residential electric load, will soon be required to be EcoPort-enabled by several U.S. states, making them a substantial new source of demand-side capability. Learn more about the EcoPort technical standard, the load management opportunity it enables, and the testing and branding programs that support it.

Timothy Treadwell Timothy Treadwell
Customer Technology Development Manager
Portland General Electric
Rolf Bienert Rolf Bienert
Technical Director
OpenADR Alliance

Track A

10:00 - 10:30 am
Wholesale Market Virtual Power Plants with EV Fast Charging Infrastructure (DCFC) + Energy Storage
Electrify America has installed 90+ BTM battery storage systems at their public DC charging stations for utility bill optimization. It has also partnered with Olivine to incorporate grid services via a VPP deployment. This has created an additional layer of optimization that shifts load during times of high grid stress and GHG levels. Learn about VPP technology and VGI grid services, as established by FERC Orders 841 and 2222.

Shane Kridler Shane Kridler
Program Operations
Olivine, Inc.
Jigar Shah Jigar Shah
Head of Energy Services
Electrify America

Track B

10:00 - 10:30 am
Scaling Up to Decarbonize: Behavioral Techniques that Accelerate Program Participation
Decarbonization requires scale, and TOU rates combined with smart thermostats are critical to aligning energy use and renewables. To help customers better understand this value, APS leveraged their successful behavioral program. They segmented customers by rate, then provided home energy reports, personalized tips to save, and a smart thermostat offer. The result? An incremental 50K residential thermostats averaging weekday savings of 1200 to 1700 kW.

Tom Hines Tom Hines
Principal
Arizona Public Service
Vanessa Richter Vanessa Richter
Oracle VP
Opower

10:30 - 11:00 am | Refreshment Break in the Sponsor Lounge

Track C
Laurie Duhan, BG&E Co-Chair Laurie Duhan
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Uros Simovic, West Monroe PartnersCo-Chair Uros Simovic
West Monroe Partners

11:00 - 11:30 am
DERs in NE: Good For the Grid, Great for the Community
CPower Energy Management and National Grid demonstrate how DERs are laying the groundwork for organizations to achieve sustainability and reliability goals while increasing grid flexibility when and where it's needed. Learn how, in partnership with CPower, National Grid’s new Daily Dispatch program is helping its customers maximize the value of their DERs while reducing emissions, enhancing grid reliability and resilience, and increasing annual revenue streams.

Peter Bergeron, CPower Energy Management Peter Bergeron
VP and General Manager, Utility Programs
CPower Energy Management
Paul Wassink, National Grid Paul Wassink
Senior Engineer, DER Program Manager
National Grid
Track D
Chris Ashley, EnergyHub Co-Chair Chris Ashley
EnergyHub
Allison Hamilton, NRECA Co-Chair Allison Hamilton
NRECA

11:00 - 11:30 am
Revenue and Emissions Benefits of Managing Thermostats on a Sub-Hourly Basis
When managing smart thermostat dispatch across the year on a sub-hourly basis, value can be added through algorithms that predict and forecast avoided energy use, avoided capacity, and GHG reductions, but in a way that’s imperceptible to customers. For SMECO, this approach has also delivered customer comfort. Learn about customer identification, value building, and control strategies from SMECO’s perspective.

Jeff Shaw Jeff Shaw
VP, Distributed Energy and Sustainability
SMECO
Drew Durkee Drew Durkee
Senior Manager Flexible Load Management
ICF

Track C

11:30 am - 12:00 pm
How Demand Response Can Enable Flat Billing
In 2021, Duke Energy launched a subscription program that coupled a flat bill with DSM program enrollments. As a result, Duke was able to show that a flat bill can be a pathway to mass market penetration of DSM programs, while benefiting utilities, customers, and regulators. Industry leaders have long advocated for Netflix-style subscription energy services and their benefits. Learn about the design of this subscription and its results.

Lon Huber Lon Huber
VP, Rate Design and Strategic Solutions
Duke Energy Corporation
Emilie Tullis Emilie Tullis
General Manager, Demand Side Management
Uplight

Track D

11:30 am - 12:00 pm
PG&E’s Emergency Program for Mitigating Climate-Change-Induced Grid Emergencies
Responding to 2020's extreme heat events and potential future shortages, PG&E partnered with Olivine to launch their Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) pilot. ELRP's purpose was to dispatch flexible load during high grid stress and emergencies to avoid rotating outages and price spikes. Within six months, the pilot had enrolled over 100MW of customer-nominated load capacity. Learn about emergency load reduction programs in utility climate response portfolios.

Vasudha Lathey Vasudha Lathey
VP of DER Community Programs
Olivine, Inc.
Beth Reid Beth Reid
CEO
Olivine, Inc.

12:00 - 1:30 pm | Lunch in the Sponsor Lounge, Sponsored by Franklin Energy

1:30 pm | Sponsor Lounge Closes

Closing Session

Derek Kirchner, TRC CompaniesCo-Chair Derek Kirchner
TRC Companies
Kevin Knight, Baltimore Gas & ElectricCo-Chair Kevin Knight
Baltimore Gas & Electric

1:30 - 2:30 pm
Balancing the Grid: Customer vs. Utility Value Roundtable
With the popularity of BYOD DR programs, utilities and thermostat manufacturers can now pair a good customer experience with a utility mechanism to enhance grid resilience. To do this, the utility and manufacturer must balance customer comfort and privacy while maintaining options that help the utility reduce grid strain. Learn how BYOD offerings are evolving to ensure smart home devices meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Kevin Knight, Baltimore Gas & ElectricKevin Knight
Senior Program Manager
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Tom Hines Tom Hines
Principal
Arizona Public Service
Tyson BrownTyson Brown
Energy Partner Manager
Google Nest
Lisa ScottLisa Scott
Customer Success Manager
ecobee
Kate SchatmeyerKate Schatmeyer
Senior Client Success Manager
EnergyHub

2:30 pm
Welcome to Phoenix for the 46th Conference!

Bruce Brazis, APSBruce Brazis
Account Executive
APS

2:40 pm
Closing Remarks

Robin Maslowski, GuidehouseRobin Maslowski
Director
Guidehouse

2:45 pm | Ice Cream Social, Sponsored by Opinion Dynamics

3:15 - 5:00 pm
ULME


Utility Load Management Exchange Spring 2022 Meeting

Tuesday, April 5, 2022
7:30 – 8:30 am ULME Pre-Meeting Breakfast at PLMA
Join us for a quick meet and greet before the conference gets underway.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 3:00 – 5:00 pm and
Thursday, April 7, 2022, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
(Open to Utility Representatives Only, Registration Required)

Wednesday, April 6

3:00 – 5:00 pm

Utility Load Management Exchange Spring 2022 Meeting

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Utility Load Management Exchange Spring 2022 Meeting Networking Dinner

Thursday, April 7

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Utility Load Management Exchange Spring 2022 Meeting (includes breakfast and lunch)