MMUA is pleased to partner with Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) on the 2023 Substation School. This year's school will be held at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes in Baxter, MN.

This School can benefit anyone who works in a substation environment or those interested in learning more.

Meeting Location

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes
6967 Lake Forest Road
Baxter, MN 56425
Phone: 218-822-5634

Schedule 

Tuesday, April 4

12:00 - 1:00  Registration/check-in
1:00 - 4:00   Substation maintenance and inspections

Wednesday, April 5

8:30 - 10:00  Your substation: knowing what you have
10:15 - 11:45  Proper switching techniques
11:45 - 12:00  Safety briefing for tours
12:00 - 12:45  Lunch (provided)
1:00 - 4:00  Tours - Oak Ridge Road Substation and Hydro Dam

Thursday, April 6

8:30 - 10:00  Arc flash hazards in the substation
10:00 - 12:00  The nuts and bolts of a substation

Schedule subject to change.

What You Will Learn 

Tuesday, April 4

Substation Maintenance and Inspections,
Proper operation and maintenance of your substation is key to sustaining the heartbeat of your power distribution system and ensuring reliability to your customer base. We will cover the industry's best practices on a variety of operational concepts and maintenance issues.

Wednesday, April 5

Your substation: knowing what you have
There are many different components and systems integral to the workings of a substation. Knowing what they are and what they do is vitally important as it relates to safely operating substations. Increase your understanding of the major systems and their associated components typically found in your substations.

Proper switching techniques
When writing and performing switching orders, either with transmission or distribution, it is critical you know what you’re dealing with in all aspects; especially if it involves your substations. Participants will gain a better understanding of the steps that need to be taken, within your substation, when dealing with switching procedures.

Tours
We will tour two Brainerd Public Utilities facilities: Oak Ridge Substation and the Hydro Dam. Tours will be led by the operators of the respective facilities.

NOTE: High-vis clothing, hard hat, safety glasses and safety toe shoes are required for substation tours.

Thursday, April 6

Arc flash hazards in the substation
When a fault arcs, there is a rapid release of energy—an arc flash. This can result in a fiery explosion, releasing shrapnel with devastating and potentially deadly consequences. Understanding your facilities and equipment is critical in order to mitigate hazards and to ensure you properly select and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE).

The nuts and bolts of a substation
Presented from a lineworker’s perspective, participants fully engage during this in-depth demonstration of regulators, various tools, hardware and SCADA systems.

What to Bring

Because some of the training will take place outside of the classroom, participants must have the proper PPE for the substation tours, including:

• High-Visibility Clothing
• Hard Hat
• Safety Glasses
• Safety Footwear

Registration Fee

Members: $515 per student
Non-members: $690 per student
All fees increase $50 on March 4, 2023. Deadline to register is March 14, 2023.

Registration fee includes: Tuition, materials and supplies, lunch on Wednesday, refreshment breaks, bus transportation for tours, and certificate of attendance. Participants are responsible for their own PPE and lodging.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations are subject to a $35 charge per person if received by 4:30 pm on March 14, 2023. No refunds issued after March 14.

Hotel / Motel Information

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes
6967 Lake Forest Road
Baxter, MN 56425
Phone: 218-822-5634

MMUA has negotiated reduced room rates at the Arrowwood Lodge. Rates start at $114 per night, plus tax. To obtain MMUA’s reduced rate, please call Arrowwood Lodge directly and ask for the “MN Municipal Utilities Association” room block. We recommend you make your reservation as soon as possible, as availability is limited and cannot be guaranteed.

The reduced rate expires on March 14 or when our room block is sold out.

Certificates

Participants earn hours for attendance and a certificate of achievement will be available online. Participants should watch for an email notification from MMUA.

Photographs

By registering for this event I/we authorize Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph me at this event and use such photographs in MMUA marketing materials (both electronic and print). I/we understand that I/we will not be paid for giving this consent. 

Questions?

Contact Theresa Neddermeyer by calling 763.551.1230 or email tneddermeyer@mmua.org.
 

A printable version of the Substation School brochure is also available.