PMs in the AM Bonus Edition: Tour of MU Power Plant
Session Description:
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the University of Missouri Power Plant with Jim Wilbur PE, Manager Utility Production Engineering, Energy Management, will be our host along with other MU staff. Join us for the fascinating case study about large-scale infrastructure management, continuous operations, and energy innovation. This hands-on site visit will give project management professionals a rare look at how a critical facility manages complex, ongoing projects without the luxury of downtime, all while navigating the evolving landscape of energy markets and sustainability initiatives.
From the installation of a biomass bioreactor to the technical and regulatory challenges of connecting renewable energy sources to the grid, the MU Power Plant offers a rich, real-world backdrop for exploring how strategic decisions and disciplined project execution intersect. Attendees will hear directly from facility professionals about the unique constraints, stakeholder demands, and market forces that shape project planning in the energy and infrastructure sector.
⚠️ SAFETY REQUIREMENT
You MUST wear long-sleeves, long pants and close toed shoes!
What you can expect to learn:
- Describe the project management challenges unique to critical infrastructure, including how to plan and execute projects within facilities that require continuous, uninterrupted operations.
- Explain key dynamics of energy markets that influence project decision-making, including how factors such as negative energy pricing and grid frequency stabilization affect infrastructure investments and project priorities.
- Identify technical and regulatory barriers to renewable energy projects, with specific focus on grid interconnection backlogs and how these constraints shape strategic planning for sustainability initiatives.
- Apply strategic business management thinking to evaluate how organizations balance operational risk, regulatory compliance, and long-term energy goals when scoping and prioritizing capital projects.
- Recognize how sustainability and innovation projects — such as the installation of a biomass bioreactor and the use of renewable fuel sources — are conceived, approved, and delivered within a complex institutional environment.
Talent Triangle PDUs:
| Ways of Working: | 1 |
| Strategic Business Management | 1 |
| Total PDUs: | 2 |
Event Details:
| Event ID: | 20260108-1 |
| When: | Friday, May 15, 2026 from 10:00a - 12:00p |
| Where: | University of Missouri Power Plant (Meeting instructions provided upon registration) |
