An Overview of PLMA's Demand Response Training Series

Demand Response Training Series


PLMA Offers Four Demand Response Training Classes:

  1. Introduction to Demand Response Fundamentals
    Offered as an online on-demand class

  2. Evolution of Demand Response to Distributed Energy Resources
    Offered as a 1-day in-person class or a 2-day live online class

  3. Demand Response Wholesale Markets
    Offered as a 2-day in-person or a 2-day live online class
    NEXT IN-PERSON CLASS: February 17-19, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN (Registration Coming Soon)

  4. Demand Response Program Design and Implementation
    Offered as a 2-day in-person or a 2-day live online class
    NEXT IN-PERSON CLASS: February 19-21, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN (Registration Coming Soon)

A Timeline Perspective of Demand Response:

DR to DER

Click Here for Registration Info and Fees


1. Introduction to DR Fundamentals

Click Here for More Information,
This Class is Offered Online, On-Demand


This 50-minute on-demand training class, is developed by Enerdynamics with PLMA, and presents an introduction to the Fundamentals of Demand Response. It is intended to offer a foundational understanding of demand response for utility and vendor professionals new to flexible load management. It also serves as a valuable precursor to anyone planning to take PLMA's DR classes listed below (The Evolution of DR to DERs, or DR Wholesale Markets, or DR Program Design & Implementation). 

Registration Fee: $79.

2. The Evolution of DR to DER:

This 1-day in-person, or 2-day live online class, taught by a team of expert practitioners, explains how today's demand response initiatives are evolving to interact with a future that includes distributed energy resources and managed charging for flexible load management, and much more. 

The class content expands on a 2-page white paper you can read here:

Click Here to Review the White Paper


Registration Fee: $299 for PLMA members, $499 for non-members. Please note that PLMA member passes do not apply.

Past Presentations:

  • November 2024 in Brooklyn, NY, adjacent to the 50th PLMA Conference
  • May 2024 in Portland, OR, adjacent to the 49th PLMA Conference
  • Nov 2023 in Charlotte, NC, adjacent to the 48th PLMA Conference
  • September 2023, live online
  • May 2023 in Memphis, TN, adjacent to the 47th PLMA Conference
  • November 2022 in Phoenix, AZ, adjacent to the 46th PLMA Conference
  • September 2022, live online
  • April 2022 in Baltimore, MD, adjacent to the 45th PLMA Conference
  • Sept 2021, Live Online, in advance of the 44th PLMA Conference
  • April 2021, Live Online, adjacent to the 43rd PLMA Conference
  • October 2020, Live Online, adjacent to 42nd PLMA Conference
  • Nov 2019 in St. Petersburg, FL, adjacent to 39th PLMA Conference
  • May 2019 in Minneapolis, MN, adjacent to 39th PLMA Conference
  • Nov 2018 in Austin, TX, adjacent to 38th PLMA Conference
  • July 2018 in Washington, DC adjacent to SEPA Grid Evolution Summit
  • April 2018 in Coronado, CA adjacent to 37th PLMA Conference
  • Nov 2017 in Cambridge, MA adjacent to the 36th PLMA Conference
  • Oct 2017 in San Francisco, CA adjacent to the CEDMC Fall Conference
  • Sept 2017 in Portland, OR adjacent to SmartGridNW
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3. Demand Response Wholesale Markets

 NEXT IN-PERSON CLASS: February 17-19, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN (Registration Coming Soon) 
The Demand Response Wholesale Markets class explores how to leverage wholesale energy market models to design demand response programs for traditionally regulated, restructured, and emerging electricity markets; a detailed review of the similarities and differences among markets in which demand resources can participate; and, the current and future roles for electricity consumers, aggregators, energy retailers, utilities, and market operators; and the role of Distributed Energy Resources and Storage in the market.

PLMA strongly recommends attendees complete the Introduction to Demand Response Fundamentals prior to attending this class.

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.

Past Presentations:

  • June 2023, Live Online
  • September 2022 in Denver, CO
  • May 2022, Live Online
  • Dec 2021, Live Online
  • Sept 2020, Southern California Edison, Live Online
  • April 2019 Baltimore Gas & Electric, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Oct. 2018 APS and SRP, Phoenix, Arizona
  • May 2017 NV Energy, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Sep. 2016 Ameren, St. Louis, Missouri
  • May 2016 Nest Labs, Palo Alto, California
  • May 2015 Southern California Edison, Los Angeles, California
  • March 2015, Consumers Energy, Jackson, Michigan
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4. Demand Response Program Design and Implementation

 NEXT IN-PERSON CLASS: February 19-21, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN (Registration Coming Soon)

This class covers the key elements of demand response, including topics related to program development such as the market and regulatory environments, business drivers, market potential, program design, and economic analysis.

Topics related to program implementation will include the tactics and methodologies used to improve program success including a discussion of organizational and resourcing strategies, contracting, business processes, technology integration, and measurement & verification.
Interactive exercises will enable participants to gain hands-on experience with various aspects of DR program development and implementation, including the role of DERs and storage in program design.
PLMA strongly recommends attendees complete the Introduction to Demand Response Fundamentals prior to attending this class.

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.

Past Presentations:

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Registration Information and Fees

1. Introduction to DR Fundamentals

  • PLMA member rate: a 20% discount off $79
  • Non-member rate: $79

2. The Evolution of DR to DER
(offered in a 2-day live online format, or a 1-day in person format in conjunction with the PLMA Conferences)

  • PLMA member rate: $299
  • Non-member rate: $499

3. Wholesale Markets Class or the Program Design and Implementation Class
(offered in a 2-day live online format only, or a 1-day in person format in conjunction with the PLMA Conferences)

  • PLMA member rate: $1,199
    • A complimentary member pass may be available for some member practitioners.
      Contact Rich Philip, [email protected].
  • Non-member rate: $1,699

4. Wholesale Markets Class or the Program Design and Implementation Class
(pricing for the in-person format) 

  • PLMA member rate: $1,599
    • A complimentary member pass may be available for some member practitioners.
      Contact Rich Philip, [email protected].
  • Non-member rate: $2,099

Cancellation Policy
We know plans change and therefore, PLMA always provides full refunds for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance of the start of an event. Alternatively, if you are not able to attend this class, you can transfer your registration to a colleague at your organization, at no additional cost.

Scholarship Opportunities
Training not in your budget? A limited number of PLMA scholarships are available for utilities and regulators. Please inquire at [email protected].

Who Should Attend

This class is well-suited to new and transitioning utility and regulatory staff employees and to solution providers. It offers a breadth of knowledge on how to transition, reposition, or create customer programs based on demand response and distributed energy resources as a means to address peak electricity demand, mitigate high energy prices, and manage variable generation.

The class is open to all industry stakeholders, with significantly discounted rates available to PLMA member organizations and partners. To see who typically attends PLMA classes, please click here. 

All Attendees Receive

  • Mentored learning experience in a class developed and taught by industry professionals
  • A Glossary of Demand Response 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  

Host Opportunities

If your organization is interested in hosting a PLMA DR training class, please download a sample Host Memorandum of Understanding here, and contact Rich Philip, [email protected] for more information.

Mentor Opportunities

If you are an employee of a PLMA member organization, experienced in load management, and interested in serving as a mentor for any PLMA Demand Response Training class, please review PLMA's Training Mentor Roles and send a one-page bio and statement of qualifications to Rich Philip, [email protected]. Mentor roles are limited to qualified staff of member organizations and must be approved by PLMA's Education Planning Group Co-Chairs.