Announcing

Our friends at Idaho Power Company are proud to host the Spring 2012 Western Load Research Association (WLRA) meeting and conference in Boise, Idaho, March 7 – 9, 2012.

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Conference Registration

Please register by February 15, 2012. Conference registration is $395.  Registration and payment can be completed by following the “Register” link at the bottom of this page.

Hotel Reservations

You must make your hotel reservations by February 5, 2012, to guarantee room availability and to secure the conference rate of $99 per night. Reservations can be made either of the following ways:

1. Online at www.grovehotelboise.com, choose the “Reservation” tab on the top left side of the screen. Next, choose the “Groups” option at the top middle of the screen and a pop up for Attendee Login will appear. Enter the code “WLRA”, and click the “sign in” button. Select the dates for your stay on the left side of the screen, and the rates will appear. You can then complete the reservation process.
2. Toll free at 1-888-961-5000 and ask to use the “WLRA” group code for the Idaho Power Company WLRA conference at The Grove Hotel.

Transportation

The Boise Airport (BOI) is merely 3.5 miles from the hotel. The hotel offers a 24-hour, complimentary shuttle to the Boise Airport through Boise Shuttle Service. Hotel guests can pick up the complimentary shuttle outside baggage claim on the lower level in the designated ‘Courtesy Van Pickup’ area. The shuttles are red and green with various downtown hotel logos or all white with the hotel logos on the shuttle. Shuttle pickup at the airport occurs about every 10-15 minutes. If you have questions or concerns upon arrival, you may contact the hotel by using the complimentary phone kiosk just as you enter the baggage claim area. To return to the airport, guests should stop by the Guest Services Desk in the hotel lobby to make shuttle arrangements.

Special Evening Dinner Event

The group activity will be dinner followed by an Idaho Steelheads hockey game on Wednesday, March 7. The event will be held at the CenturyLink Arena, which adjoins the Grove Hotel. The Idaho Steelheads will be playing the Bakersfield Condors (www.idahosteelheads.com). The group will be viewing the game from a private suite that features theater- style seats located on a private viewing balcony. Additional guest tickets may be purchased for $70.

Call for Papers

Presentations at the conference will continue to demonstrate that load research and load forecasting are great tools for dealing with the newer challenges of the modern electric utility industry. This includes smart grid implementations, demand response, renewable energy, dynamic pricing programs, and time-of-use rates, as well as the traditional regulatory needs. Papers and discussions can focus on innovative new technologies and methodologies or the traditional principles of statistical analysis.

WLRA will accept papers on any subject related to load research or load forecasting, including but not limited to, least-cost sampling, end-use research, integrated resource planning, program evaluation, load profiling, innovative rate design, energy efficiency measures, and peak-demand forecasts.

WLRA is continuing to expand utility involvement, and special priority consideration will be given to utilities wishing to make presentations. The continued success of the WLRA Conference depends on participation from utility members. It is for this reason that utility presentations are particularly encouraged, but utility-vendor partnership presentations are also welcomed, and vendor presentations will be considered.

Presentations don’t need to be extravagant and can be as short as fifteen (15) minutes.

If you would like to make a presentation, please fill out the attached “Call for Papers” form and email it to Kristy Patteson (kpatteson@idahopower.com), WLRA Co-Chair. Please submit your paper by February 22, 2012.

Expanded Roundtable Discussions

The Spring Conference will continue to feature roundtable discussions. If there are topics you would like to discuss during the roundtables, please make sure to note them on your Conference Registration Form.

Vendor Reception

We are in need of a vendor coordinator for this meeting. Vendors who would like to participate should contact WLRA Co-Chair Kristy Patteson (information below). If any vendor is willing to coordinate the reception this time around, we would be thrilled to have a volunteer. It is fairly easy, and you get to pick the food!

Additional Information

For those who are interested in skiing while in Idaho, a group rate has been arranged with the local ski area, Bogus Basin (www.bogusbasin.org). Bogus Basin is about 16 miles from downtown Boise, approximately a 30-40 minute drive. They offer great day and night skiing. The group rate is valid from March 2-11, and will save $10 per lift ticket (full-day, part-day, or night ticket). Ski/Snow board rentals are available at the lodge. Details will be provided to registered conference attendees before the conference.

For more information, please contact:

Conference Co-Host:

Joel Clark
208-388-5431
JClark2@idahopower.com

WLRA Co-Chairs:

Kristy Patteson
208-388-2982
kpatteson@idahopower.com

Candice Churchwell
858-636-5561
CChurchwell@semprautilities.com

Notes:

1. Prices include a nominal handling fee to cover the cost of credit card transactions incurred by Load Research Online.
2. Your credit card statement will show a charge from “NICNAT NET” which is the parent company of Load Research Online.
3. For those paying by check the actual invoice amount is $395.00.  Your invoice will reflect that amount.

Seminar Registration

Please register for the Seminar by April 17, 2012. Conference registration is $1,050.  Registration and payment can be completed by following the “Register” link at the bottom of this page.
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About This Seminar

This seminar will provide a background in the fundamentals of customer load data analysis for the beginning level analyst as well as users of customer load data. This proven seminar will provide intensive, up to date classroom instruction in fundamental topics of Load Research plus problem solving exercises. The instructors for the course are: Ken Christie, Cliff Grimm, Gary Huff, Jim Purdue, and Craig Williamson. They all have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of Load Research. The Seminar is designed to provide a broad fundamental understanding of all aspects of customer load data analysis. The beginning Load Researcher will benefit from the introduction of concepts and techniques of Load Research. Marketers, Planners, Rate Design Analysts, and Cost-of-Service Analysts will also benefit from this introduction to the techniques of Load Research.

Who Should Attend

Load Research Analysts
Cost-of-Service Analysts
Utility Planning Professionals
Rate Design Analysts

Expert Instructors

Ken Christie
Cliff Grimm
Gary Huff
Jim Purdue
Craig Williamson

Hotel Special Note

The room rate is $149/night for the Seminar but you must make your reservation by  March 24, 2012 to get this rate. Refer to the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies to receive the special seminar rate. There is also a special weekend rate of $229/night for those who wish to stay for the New Orleans Jazz Festival.  More info at NOJazzFest.com.

Rate good from Friday, April 27th to Sunday, April 29th.

Payment Notes:

1. There is a nominal handling charge of $30.00 on credit card payments to cover the transaction fees.  Please select the Pay by Credit Card option at $1,080.00, which includes the handling charge.
2. Payments By Check can be made via mail or in person.  Please select the Pay by Check option at $1,050.00, which does not include the handling charge.

For more information, please contact your Seminar Coordinator

Leslie J. Pickens

Sr. Marketing Services Associate
Southern Company
241 Ralph McGill Blvd., Bin 10206
Atlanta, GA  30308

Phone:  404-506-3314;
Fax:  404-506-3180
Cell:  404-791-7373
ljpicken@southernco.com