MRES Technology Days

Wednesday, Sept. 24

10 – 10:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Matt Schull, MRES President & CEO

10:15 – 11:30
AM Keynote: The Brain Science of Communication
People really do communicate in color. Scott Schwefel of Discover Yourself, Inc., will help us use our brains to understand others, and offer a system to better understand ourselves and each other. We’ll learn how to improve relationships and maximize productivity through the language of Insights Discovery.

11:30 AM – Noon
Cybersecurity for Utilities
MRES Cybersecurity Architect John Bade will discuss practical, low-cost cybersecurity measures that small and medium-sized utilities can utilize today.

Noon – 1 PM
Lunch

1 – 2:30 PM
Tech Talks
• New Construction Design Review Rebates
Kurt Hauser, Energy Services Technical Supervisor

• Speaking Public Power: How Communication Builds Stronger Communities
Valerie Larson-Holmes, Director of Communications

• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Industrial Audit Wins
Darlene Weber-Scott, Energy Services Technical Specialist

• Municipal Power Advantage Reports
Amy Collins, Member Programs Coordinator

• Hawarden’s Electric School Bus Experience
Travis Waterman, Public Works Director, City of Hawarden (Iowa)

• Proactive Maintenance Services
Rick Bueltel, Senior Energy Services Technician

• Jesse’s Electrification Journey
Jesse Robertson, Energy Services Technical Specialist

2:30 – 2:45 PM
Break

2:45 – 3:15 PM
Key Accounts Achievements
Hear how MRES members have developed or strengthened their key accounts program, and how those relationships benefit their customers, utility and community.
Energy Services Field Supervisor Lisa Fischer will moderate this discussion with:

• John Eggert, Energy Services Outreach Coordinator, Willmar (Minn.) Municipal Utilities

• Sonya Skinner, Energy Services Coordinator, ALP Utilities (Alexandria, Minn.)

• Todd Halverson, Electric Superintendent, City of Vermillion (S.D.)

3:15 – 3:45 PM
Large Distributed Energy Resources Case Study
Transmission Planning Engineer Supervisor Andy Berg and Senior Rate Analyst Evan Leebens will tell us about a 1.2-megawatt customer-owned solar installation brought online earlier this year in Luverne, Minn. What steps should you take if a large DER wants to interconnect to your distribution system? And what are the potential financial impacts on the customer, and on your utility?

3:45 – 4:15 PM
Emerging Technologies & Custom Incentives
Kurt Hauser returns to highlight some exciting new technologies and custom incentives that could benefit your customers.

4:15 – 4:30 PM
Break

4:30 – 5 PM
2025 WattSTARs Awards
Join the party as we recognize members’ achievements from 2024-25. Hosted by Beth Omanson, Sr. Energy Services Field Representative and Joe Peters, Energy Services Field Representative. With special entertainment by The Dock Dads: Chris Toenjes, Colby Pierret, Jesse Robertson and Rick Bueltel.

6 PM
WattSTARs After Party & Dinner
Cherapa Place (Bancorp Bldg), Second Floor (345 N Reid Place)
Join us on a 10-minute walk to a special Sioux Falls dining venue along the Big Sioux River. We’ll enjoy fantastic food and amazing rooftop views of downtown and the riverfront. (Registered attendees may bring a guest to dinner for $40.)


Thursday, Sept. 25

7 – 8 AM
Breakfast

8:10 – 8:40 AM
Smart Grid Success Stories
Hear from MRES members who have modernized their utilities through smart grid technologies like load management, AMI and meter-data management systems.
Smart Grid Technical Supervisor Brad Lingen will moderate this discussion with:

• Casey Eggermont, City Auditor (Hillsboro, N.D.)

• Eric Roos, Utility Coordinator and Vida Iten, Customer Service Supervisor (Worthington, Minn.)

• Marcia Bierman, Finance Officer (Pickstown, S.D.)

8:40 – 9 AM
Tunable Lighting and Network Lighting Controls
With most of the high-wattage incandescents and fluorescents already replaced, where do we find lighting energy savings now? Energy Services Technical Specialist Darlene Weber-Scott shows us what’s next in the lighting industry.

9 – 9:10 AM
Relocate to Roundtable Discussion Rooms
Chris Toenjes, Energy Services Field Representative

9:10 – 9:50 AM
Roundtable Session #1 Options:

1. Making the Most of Member Support Services (school program, ambassadors, community sponsorships, Municipal Power Advantage reports and more)

2. Cost-effective Ways to Promote Bright Energy Solutions and the Value of Public Power to Customers

3. Smart Grid Services: What’s in it for My Utility
(Load Management, AMI, Meter Data Management)

9:55 – 10:35 AM Roundtable Session #2 Options:

1. What Can Tyler Tech’s ERP Pro 10 Software do for My Utility?

2. Selling Your Customers on Load Control

3. Key Account Think Tank: Strategy in Action

10:35 – 10:50 AM
Break

10:50 – 11:50 AM
Tech Days Trivia
Shannon Murfield, Director of Energy Services

11:05 – 11:50 AM
Keynote: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Energy Applications – Innovation Through Industry Partnership
Computer science expert Dr. Mark Spanier will explore the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and will examine applications in the energy sector – from grid monitoring to predictive maintenance. Get insights into cutting-edge technologies that are driving innovation and strengthening critical infrastructure. Dr. Spanier is an associate professor at The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D.

11:50 – Noon
Complete Surveys and Award Door Prizes
Must be present to win.

Noon LUNCH
Enjoy a boxed lunch with attendees or grab one for the road.