A unique feature of the Institute is that it operates on a cost-sharing basis. U.S. companies provide speakers with transportation and in-country expenses, and CEE organizations provide training facilities, related services and materials and hotel accommodations for U.S. trainers, as well as transportation for its representatives to participate in courses throughout the region. USEA, as Secretariat, guides development towards a permanent corporate presence within the region by 2002. Through the delivery of specially tailored courses, the Institute assists in preparing power companies, regulatory agencies, and other electric power-related organizations in the region for full economic integration with Western Europe. Courses are hosted by East European members who provide the course venue and related services, and hotel accommodations for the U.S. speakers.
Speakers fund their own travel and labor to develop and deliver the course abroad.
With the pro bono participation of U.S. industry experts, EMDI offered nine courses, each hosted by one of its members in the region. With the restructuring of Romanian power sector and the creation of separate generation, transmission and distribution companies, Romania is seeking to create opportunities to attract private investment. California Independent System Operator Competitive Power Systems Budapest, Hungary The Forum on the Operation of Short-term Power Markets was hosted by the Hungarian grid company MVM Rt. This course assisted key Central and East European utility managers and regulators to develop a greater understanding of power market rules and operations so that their utilities will be able to compete effectively within both the newly liberalized energy markets in Western Europe and their own region. The Forum focused on the U.S. experience, describing power market structure and price discovery, pricing methodologies, conducting transactions, and technical and risk analysis.