GridEdge Academy

Train the engineers the grid actually needs.

GridEdge Academy is the only PE exam prep and distribution planning certification program built by working utility engineers — not academics. We train the next generation of power systems professionals with the real-world skills cooperatives, EMCs, and IOUs are desperately hiring for.

1,800+
Engineers trained
91%
PE first-attempt pass rate
40+
Utility partners
38
States represented
Flagship Program

PE Power Exam Prep

The most rigorous PE Power exam preparation program built specifically for distribution engineers. 8 specialized training modules, 4 full-length practice exams, and 1-on-1 PE mentorship — all taught by licensed PEs who write distribution studies every day.

91%
first-attempt pass rate
$1,495
12 weeks · Live online + self-paced

Specialized Training Modules

Foundation
Core
Specialized
Exam Prep
Foundation

Circuit Analysis & Power Theory

18 hrs of instruction

Master AC/DC circuit fundamentals, phasor analysis, three-phase power systems, and per-unit calculations — the bedrock of every PE Power exam domain.

Topics covered

  • 01Phasor diagrams & complex power
  • 02Three-phase balanced & unbalanced systems
  • 03Per-unit system conversions
  • 04Power factor correction
  • 05Thevenin/Norton equivalents
Money-back pass guarantee
Taught by licensed PEs
Upskill Courses

Advance your distribution expertise.

Focused certification programs for working engineers who want to deepen their expertise in specific high-demand areas — without committing to a full PE exam prep schedule.

Industry Standard

Distribution Planning Certificate

The Powerlytics DPC — recognized by 40+ utilities

98%
completion & certification rate
8 weeks
Cohort-based online
Utility planning staff

A comprehensive distribution planning curriculum covering every major study type — from load flow and short circuit to reliability and DER integration. Graduates earn the Powerlytics Distribution Planning Certificate, recognized by cooperatives, EMCs, and IOUs across 38 states.

What you'll earn

  • Powerlytics Distribution Planning Certificate
  • Proficiency in SKM, ETAP, and OpenDSS
  • Immediately applicable study skills

Curriculum modules

  • 01Load Flow Analysis Fundamentals
  • 02Short Circuit & Fault Analysis
  • 03Voltage Regulation & Capacitor Placement
  • 04Reliability Metrics (SAIDI/SAIFI/CAIDI)
  • 05Hosting Capacity Methodology
  • 06DER Interconnection Studies
  • 07AI-Assisted Planning Tools
  • 08Capstone study project
$995per seat
Upskill Courses

Advanced technology training for the modern utility.

PowerEdge Academy delivers cutting-edge upskill courses for utility engineers navigating cloud infrastructure, IoT communications, industry simulation software, and next-generation data center design.

Enterprise

Cloud & AI Infrastructure

Enterprise architecture for electric utilities

Equip your utility's engineering and IT teams with the architecture skills to design, deploy, and govern cloud-native and AI-powered infrastructure — from hybrid cloud migration to LLM-enabled grid operations platforms.

  • 01Hybrid cloud architecture for OT/IT convergence
  • 02AI/ML pipeline design for grid analytics
  • 03Utility data lake & lakehouse patterns
  • 04Cybersecurity frameworks (NERC CIP, NIST)
  • 05Agentic AI integration for distribution workflows
Protocols

IoT Communications for DERMS

OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5 & field device integration

Master the communication protocols and IoT architectures that power modern DERMS deployments — from OpenADR 2.0b demand response to IEEE 2030.5 smart inverter communication, field device integration, and edge computing for real-time DER dispatch.

  • 01OpenADR 2.0b architecture & VEN/VTN design
  • 02IEEE 2030.5 (SEP 2.0) smart inverter comms
  • 03MQTT, DNP3 & Modbus for field devices
  • 04Edge computing & IoT gateway deployment
  • 05DERMS integration testing & validation
Software

CYME / SYNERGI / WINDMILL

Hands-on simulation software training

Practical, hands-on training in the industry's most widely used distribution planning simulation platforms. Build real proficiency in CYME, SYNERGI Electric, and WINDMILL through guided study exercises modeled on actual utility distribution systems.

  • 01CYME load flow, short circuit & reliability
  • 02SYNERGI Electric network modeling & DER studies
  • 03WINDMILL SCADA & real-time simulation
  • 04Model building from GIS/CIS data
  • 05Results interpretation & report generation
Infrastructure

Data Center Design

Power systems engineering for hyperscale & edge

As hyperscale data centers and AI compute facilities become major new loads on the distribution grid, utility engineers need specialized skills in data center power systems design — from substation interconnection to UPS architecture, cooling loads, and Tier classification.

  • 01Data center Tier I–IV classification & design
  • 02Substation interconnection for hyperscale loads
  • 03UPS systems, switchgear & backup generation
  • 04Cooling system electrical loads & PUE optimization
  • 05Grid impact studies for large load interconnection

Learn from engineers who do this work.

Every GridEdge Academy instructor is a licensed PE with active utility consulting experience. No adjuncts, no generalists.

Dr. Marcus Webb, PE

Lead Instructor — PE Exam Prep

20+ years in distribution planning at Georgia Power and Southern Company. Licensed PE in 6 states. Has helped 400+ engineers pass the PE Power exam.

Protection & Relaying, Power Systems

Priya Nair, PE

Lead Instructor — Distribution Planning

PhD, PE in Power Systems from Georgia Tech. Former NRECA technical advisor. Specializes in hosting capacity methodology and DER interconnection.

Hosting Capacity, DER Integration

James Okafor, PE

Lead Instructor — DER Specialist Track

15 years at Oncor and ERCOT. Deep expertise in DERMS implementation, FERC Order 2023, and large-scale interconnection queue management.

DERMS, FERC Compliance, Interconnection

What engineers say.

"I passed the PE Power exam on my first attempt after failing twice with other prep programs. The GridEdge Academy instructors actually understand distribution systems — not just textbook theory."

Tyler R.
Distribution Engineer, Georgia EMC

"Our cooperative sent 4 engineers through the Distribution Planning Certificate. Within 6 months, we reduced our reliance on outside consultants by 40%. The ROI was immediate."

Sandra M.
VP Engineering, Rural Electric Cooperative

"The DER Integration Specialist track is exactly what our interconnection team needed. We went from drowning in a 200-request queue to having a systematic process. Highly recommend."

James K.
Interconnection Manager, Mid-Size IOU

Frequently asked questions

Ready to build the team your grid deserves?

Whether you're an engineer pursuing your PE license or a utility upskilling your planning team — GridEdge Academy has a program for you.

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