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Education & Classes

The PLMA Flexible Load Series:

PLMA’s Flexible Load classes, both live online and in-person, include lectures, discussions, quizzes,
and input from “industry mentors” who offer their field-tested experiences and knowledge.
Each of the following Flexible Load classes is taught by PLMA member experts.

Flexible Load: The Primer (an Introduction)

About this Class:

Offered as an online on-demand class

Length:


3 hours

Audience:

Take this class if you are brand new to demand response and DRs.

Class Overview:

This short online, on-demand class was jointly developed by PLMA and Enerdynamics as an introduction to demand response. It offers a foundational understanding of DR for energy professionals new to flexible load management, including those already working in the utility space. It also serves as a valuable precursor for anyone
planning to take PLMA’s Flexible Load “Fundamentals” class.
Go to the Intro Class
Registration Fee: $79

Flexible Load: The Fundamentals

About this Class:

Offered as a 1-day in-person class or a 2-day live online class.

Length:


8 hours

Audience:

Take this class if your knowledge of demand response, DERs, and load flexibility is at the beginner to intermediate level.

Class Overview:

This is a fast-paced survey class that provides an overview of many aspects of load flexibility, including demand response and DERs, DER applications, technology, markets, design and implementation, and evaluation. It is offered in-person on the first day of each PLMA conference, and is also scheduled twice a year in a live online format. The class instructors are PLMA member experts. 

PLMA’s 2-page position paper on the Evolution of Flexible Load Management provides a useful background for anyone intending
to take this class.
Register Here for THE NEXT CLASS:
Monday, May 5, 2025 (in person)

LOCATION:
Spring 2025 PLMA Conference
Kansas City, MO
Registration Fee:
$299 for PLMA members, $499 for non-members.

Please note that PLMA member passes do not apply.

Flexible Load: Wholesale Markets

About this Class:

Offered in both 2-day in-person and 10-hour online formats.
A member pass may be used for payment of this class.

Length:

2-half-days in person, or
10 hours online

Audience:

Take this class if you are interested in a detailed exploration of Wholesale Markets. This class is geared toward intermediate and advanced practitioners and provides an intensive review of several complex topics associated with the markets.

Class Overview:

The Wholesale Markets class explores leveraging wholesale energy market models for traditionally regulated, restructured, and emerging electricity markets. It reviews the similarities and differences among markets in which flexible load resources can participate, as well as current and future roles for electricity consumers, aggregators, energy retailers, utilities, and market operators. It also explores the role of DERs in the market. This class includes lectures, discussions, and quizzes, and is supported by one or more industry “mentors” who offer their real-life perspectives and experiences of the markets as they work in real life.

NEXT CLASS: TBA Fall 2025
For upcoming dates on the Wholesale Markets class, please contact Judy Knight for more information.
Live Online Registration Fee:
$1,199 for PLMA members, $1,699 for non-members.

In-Person Registration Fee:
$1,599 for PLMA members, $2,099 for non-members.

PLMA Member Passes may be applied.

Flexible Load: Design & Implementation

About this Class:

Offered in both 2-day in-person and 10-hour online formats.
A member pass may be used for payment of this class.

Length:

2-half-days in person, or
10 hours online

Audience:

Take this class if you are interested in a detailed exploration of DR Program Design and Implementation. This class is geared toward intermediate and advanced practitioners and provides an intensive review of several complex topics associated with the design and implementation of programs.

Class Overview:

This class explores market and regulatory environments, business drivers, market potential, program design, and economic analysis. We’ll also discuss tactics and methodologies that improve program success including organizational and resourcing strategies, contracting, business processes, technology integration, and measurement & verification.

The class includes interactive exercises, lectures, discussions, and quizzes, and is supported by one or more industry practitioner “mentors” who offer their real-life perspectives on how programs
are developed and perform in real life.

NEXT CLASS: TBA Fall 2025
For upcoming dates on the Demand Response Program Design
and Implementation class, please contact Judy Knight for more information.
Live Online Registration Fee:
$1,199 for PLMA members, $1,699 for non-members.

In-Person Registration Fee:
$1,599 for PLMA members, $2,099 for non-members.

PLMA Member Passes may be applied.

Additional Information
about PLMA Classes

PLMA prioritizes providing educational opportunities that focus on the key role
flexible load management plays in ensuring grid stability, enabling the optimal use of renewable
resources, providing customer control and choice, and supporting the energy transition.

  • A Glossary of Flexible Load Terms and Definitions
  • Access to the slide deck and a video recording of your class
  • The option to request a Certificate of Completion
  • Contact information for your instructors for additional follow up

PLMA recognizes that plans can change and therefore offers a full refund for class cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the class.

Alternatively, if you are not able to attend your class due to unforeseen circumstances, you can also transfer your registration to a colleague at your organization, at no additional cost.

To arrange a cancellation or a transfer, please contact memberservices@flexload.org

If your organization is interested in hosting a PLMA class, please download a sample “Host MOU” here, and contact Rich Philip, rphilip@flexload.org for
more information.

If you are a PLMA member interested in volunteering as a class mentor for the  Wholesale Markets class or the Design and Implementation class, and you have relevant industry experience to share, please download a copy of  PLMA’s Training Mentor Roles here, and contact Rich Philip, rphilip@flexload.org for more information.

If training is not in your budget, or other special circumstances apply to your situation, PLMA offers a small number of scholarships, and especially encourages small utilities and regulators to apply for these.

For more information about a PLMA class scholarship, please contact memberservices@flexload.org