Note:

Online registration is currently closed, but spaces are still available. If you would like to attend this event, please call 360-254-0109 and someone will be able to assist you.

Who Should Attend:

Anyone in the areas of policy, engineering, power supply, pricing, customer service, and metering; also those wishing to know more about the impact of bitcoin operations on electric utilities.

Webinar Overview:

With 2017 bitcoin values escalating to $20,000 per coin, cryptocurrency mining has become a rapidly growing industry and operators are seeking places to set up shop. Because these data centers often require large amounts of power, bitcoin investors around the world are coming to the Northwest to take advantage of its low-cost energy.

Many Northwest utilities are just beginning to field inquiries, while others have been responding to inquiries since 2014; some are not yet serving bitcoin operations and others have as many as 13 customers. The power demands run the gamut from just a few kilowatts to more than 300 megawatts.

The needs and expectations of bitcoin operators have created complex issues. During this webinar, we will explore some of these issues, including:

• What is a bitcoin and cryptocurrency? How does a bitcoin mining operation work? Why does it require so much power? What is considered an ideal location?
• What are some of the impacts to your utility system when serving these high-power loads?
• What power supply arrangements should be considered?
• What information do you need to get up front from your potential bitcoin customer?
• What should you consider when sizing the utility equipment to serve a load?
• What tariffs should you have in place to ensure that existing customers are not negatively impacted?
• What kinds of risks come with serving bitcoin operations?
• Does your utility have the staff to handle the volume of engineering, permitting, and other work?
• Are there any best practices in place at other utilities that could help you?

Webinar Instructors:

Jamie Stark, Engineering Manager, Lincoln Electric Cooperative; and John Stoll, Managing Director of Customer Services, Chelan PUD

Webinar Schedule:

This webinar will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Attendees will be admitted to the webinar after 1:45 p.m. 

How to Participate:

Instructions will be emailed to attendees 24 hours before the webinar. This webinar will be delivered through NWPPA’s software, Global Meet. We recommend testing the link the day before the webinar to be sure the software downloads correctly to your computer.

If your organization would like to send multiple attendees to this webinar, only one registration is required and it  permits anyone from your utility to attend. The registrant will be sent webinar instructions to distribute to those attending within their organization.

Webinar Fees:

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations are accepted, with full refund, if request is made at least 30 days prior to the course. Within 30 days, fees are as follows: 15-29 days, $100; 1-14 days or "no show," 100 percent of registration fee. When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling. NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions.