The Pacific Power Association will host the 4th PPA Engineers Workshop concurrent with the CEOs Conference at the Edgewater Resort & Spa, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.  This will be a 5 days workshop and with the results of the last three (3) workshops, utilities are encouraged to register their Engineers to attend.

While such a workshop had been planned for sometime, it had finally become a reality concurrent with the CEOs Conference in 2002 with the undertaking that it will become a regular feature every two years.

This workshop is directed at the utility engineers.  It is a valuable workshop because it provides the engineers the opportunity to discuss and resolve some of the technical challenges they respectively face in their utility in an open forum with fellow engineers.
 
The last three (3) Engineers Workshops were very well received and it was felt that as an introduction to development partnerships and networking, it was a success for all concerned.

Engineers will also have the opportunity to view the products and services at the Trade Exhibition by the suppliers and participate at the Wednesday networking day where utility delegates can network with the allied members.

The theme for the Engineers workshop as agreed at the 3rd PPA Engineers Workshop is “Applying Efficient and Affordable Technologies that are Appropriate for Pacific Island Utilities"

Suitable topics for presentations determined by Engineers at the 3rd PPA Engineer’s workshop held in 2006 are as follows;

1. Distribution substation: focusing on condition monitoring and subsequent refurbishment economies
2. Performance benchmarking:  especially the engineers role in overall utility improvement.  Power utilities are essentially engineering focused and improvements in its core functions of generation and distribution will result in a positive trend.
3. Asset management: that addresses the principles and approach methodology to optimize return on investment.  This should also cover the business focus of operations and maintenance improvement proposals.
4. Renewable energy: implementing mechanism of renewable energy integration into the established system, i.e. compatibility criteria.
5. Overview of planning and design criteria:  for adoption to meet load forecasting models covering maintenance planning, equipment redundancy, etc.
6. Budget issues:  that encompasses both recurrent and capital aspects of expenditure and, based on elemental components, R.O.I., overheads, etc.
7. System protection:  that focuses on major assets, system reliability and stability, etc.  This approach needs to basically cover critical operational issues.
8. Global warming updates:  and current status of existing renewable energy programs in the region.

Taking into account the theme and the topics above, the scope of the Workshop will be focused towards addressing this theme.

Interested authors should send a brief abstract (approximately 250 words) to the Executive Director, PPA Secretariat no later than 1st June 2008.   The abstract together with a brief CV (approximately 200 words) and a passport type photo of the author should be emailed to the Secretariat.

The abstract should summarize precisely the scope of the paper proposed. 

Authors will be notified of acceptance (or otherwise) as soon as the Abstracts have been reviewed by the Secretariat.  This notification will be provided no later than 15th June 2008.  Final Papers must be emailed to the Secretariat by 30th June 2008.  Conditions of submission of papers are included in the Call for Papers information sheet enclosed in this conference pack.

Registration Fees
The Engineers Workshop is a member only workshop and application for registration must be made on the Engineers Registration Form enclosed.

Payment of fees is to be made in US Dollars payable to: Pacific Power Association.   See registration form for options of payment methods.

To qualify for Early Registration, a completed registration form and payment should be received before Friday 6 June.  After this date an additional late fee will apply. 

Edgewater Resort & Spa Reception

Full Conference Registration
Fees for the Full Conference Registration are as follows:

Early Registration (Payment before Friday June 6)

US$275

Late Registration (after Friday June 6)

US$350

Full Conference Registration covers:

• Attendance at all sessions
• Registration kit and papers
• Invitation to all sponsored functions
• Invitation to the Conference Dinner
• Transfers to and from airport
• Transportation to all official conference activities

   

Accompanying Spouse/Partner/Child Registration
The Registration fee for Accompanying Spouse is US$160.00. 

Accompanying children 12 years or older is US$60.00.

It is important that you register your spouse/partner and child to attend the conference to avoid disappointment.  Their registration will cover:

• Attendance at all sessions
• Invitation to all sponsored functions
• Invitation to the Conference Dinner
• Transportation for field trips

Cancellation Penalty
Notification less than two (2) weeks from Conference date in cancellation of registration will result in 50% deduction of payment

Delegates Registration
Delegates will be able to Register and collect all conference kits and papers on Sunday August 10 at the Edgewater Resort & Spa Conference Room from 2.00pm – 5.00pm.

Overlooking the Edgewater Resort Pool Area