Generation School

With a mix of classroom and hands-on learning, Generation School appeals to all learning styles and all levels of experience. In the classroom, attendees will learn about security in generation facilities, fuel storage standards, testing and maintenance best practices, and more. Attendees work and learn with real systems, seeing and feeling what the seasoned instructors explain in real time. 

This year, we offered in-plant, hands-on instruction on Caterpillar, Cooper/Enterprise, and Fairbanks engine sets. Attendees also toured the Faribault Energy Park.

The 2025 Generation School will be held April 15–17, 2025. To learn more about the 2024 program and what you can expect in 2025, click the image of the brochure.

Event details
Date: 

April 15-17, 2025

Location: 

To be announced

Who should attend?

This course is intended for generation operators first and foremost. However, anyone with an interest in understanding generation practices is welcome to attend.

Training to be covered

This workshop includes classroom and hands-on instruction/demonstration. The 2024 Generation School covered the following topics:

Physical and cybersecurity for generation facilities: Christian Torkelson of the League of Minnesota Cities led the opening session on the emerging trends in best practices and technology for safeguarding assets within a generation facility.

Fuel storage standards: Jeffery Brandon of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency walked attendees through the essential regulations and policies affecting generation fuel storage.

Hands-on training: Attendees separated into training groups dependent on equipment preference.

Three engine systems were covered:

  • Caterpillar—A team of representatives from Ziegler Power Systems presented on operations and maintenance procedures, and electrical equipment testing and maintenance for Caterpillar engines.
  • Cooper/Enterprise—Attendees trained on operating procedures and other maintenance and testing procedures for Cooper/Enterprise engines.
  • Fairbanks—Jeff Crampton trained on maintenance and testing procedures for Fairbanks OP units. 

Generator maintenance, inspections, and testing procedures: Doug Junion of Rotating Apparatus Co. covered the necessity of proper maintenance and testing procedures for generation equipment. He shared tips for inspection preparation and performance.

Tour of Faribault Energy Park: The school closed with a tour of the Faribault Energy Park, a 300 MW combined-cycle facility owned and managed by Minnesota Muncipal Power Agency. Completed in 2007, the facility is set among 35 acres of wetlands and functions dually as a community meeting site for education and recreation.