Wind power's long-term price certainty, reliability, and accessibility confirm that it's a great deal for your utility and your customers. With proven technology and numerous benefits, wind energy can, and should, be part of your mainstream fuel mix. At WINDPOWER 2013, you can meet developers and suppliers that are bringing you this low-cost generating option, and learn more about:

• declining costs of wind energy and long-term price stability

• wind integration and operational challenges

• integrated resource planning

• wind forecasting

• transmission infrastructure development

• integrating wind as a long-term resource

Whether you are just starting on the journey of incorporating wind into your resource portfolio, or you currently own and operate your own wind assets, you will find information, answers and invaluable business connections at WINDPOWER 2013. Register now.

Utility Track & Related Education at WINDPOWER 2013

Utilities are frequently turning to wind power to provide in exhaustible and cost-competitive electricity for their customers, and this often results in a myriad of questions. During WINDPOWER 2013, AWEA will offer two in-depth, comprehensive utility-specific sessions that explore these issues, and explore varying perspectives for utilities engaging the wind energy industry. These sessions comprise the main "Utility Track" at WINDPOWER 2013:

Utility Ownership, Operations & Maintenance of Wind Projects in the Midwest

Tuesday, May 7
10:15am – 11:45am
Room:TBD

Focusing on recent utility case studies and best practices, speaker representatives from influential utilities will describe the growing trend of utilities that own, operate, and maintain their own wind turbine projects. They will also share lessons learned and their personal, practical experience with ownership and operations of wind turbines. Additionally, an O&M independent service provider or OEM will speak to working with utilities on O&M services. Learn what is driving certain utilities to own and operate their own wind projects, and the challenges and successes they are seeing in this transition. An extended Q&A session will follow short presentations by the panelists to allow the audience to engage the presenters in a vibrant discussion on the drivers and aspects of this growing trend in the utility sector.

Critical Topics and Near-Term Issues Facing Utilities on Wind Power Growth

Tuesday, May 7
2:45pm – 4:15pm
Room:TBD

Explore new and emerging topics that utilities face as wind power's growth continues in the Midwest and the U.S., as presented by industry experts, consultants, national labs, and more. These experts will specify four subject areas and then engage in an interactive, audience-participation discussion on:

• how PTC, RPS, and other drivers affect the current environment for wind power growth from a utility perspective

• whether utility development of wind projects will assume a greater share of market for new wind project development in the U.S.

• new perspectives from state regulators on wind energy PPAs and cost-recovery, and the hedge value of long-term contracts for wind energy

• utilities working with corporate/retail buyers of renewable energy to develop wind projects

In addition to the dedicated utility sessions featured above, consider attending these other session that will interest utility attendees at WINDPOWER 2013:

Tackling the Challenges of High Wind Penetration and Weak Systems

Wind Intergration Track
Wednesday, May 8
9:00am – 10:30am
Room:TBD

Improving Short Term Wind Power Predictions (Scientific)

Forecasting/Intergration Track
Wednesday, May 8
9:00am – 10:30am
Room:TBD

A Holistic Approach to Wind Integration

Wind Intergration Track
Wednesday, May 8
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Room:TBD

Create Your Own Customized Itinerary at  WINDPOWER 2013

In addition to the two primary Utility Track sessions at WINDPOWER 2013, there are additional sessions that will be relevant and important to utility attendees at WINDPOWER 2013. Click here for a complete listing of the sessions and speakers.

Dedicated Utility Events at WINDPOWER 2013

VIP Utility Networking Reception
Tuesday, May 7
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Vista Room Foyer (end of hall on S400 Level)

A special reception for utility attendees, sponsored by AWEA, will recognize utility interests in the expanding wind energy industry. Network with other utility representatives and AWEA staff. To attend this reception,  please email your contact information to utility@awea.org.

AWEA Utility Working Group Meeting
Wednesday, May 8
12:00pm – 1:15pm
Location: S401d

The AWEA Utility Working Group will meet face-to-face on the final day of WINDPOWER 2013. The group welcomes electric utility attendees to share in discussions around wind power issues and plans to further efforts and initiatives of the AWEA Utility Working Group. Please indicate if there are particular topics facing your utility – relative to wind power – that we should include at this meeting. To participate in this meeting, please email your contact information (and suggested topics) to utility@awea.org.