FERC Actions Support Expansion of Real-Time Market in the West

Significant cost savings and improved support for renewables are expected

FOLSOM, Calif.--()--The California Independent System Operator (ISO) and PacifiCorp announced today that tariff amendments to expand the ISO’s real-time energy scheduling market across multiple states in the West was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The new market, known as the Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), is expected to increase resource efficiency, reduce costs and more effectively use renewable and conventional resources.

“The FERC approval marks a major step in making the ISO real-time market available to other energy balancing authorities across the West,” said Steve Berberich, President and CEO of the California ISO. “Such a multi-state approach is an innovative and responsible direction that will facilitate a more efficient use of renewable resources while reducing costs for not only market participants, but the consumer.”

“With these rulings, we remain on track for the EIM to launch in October and to bring these needed and important changes to manage the electrical grid in the West far more efficiently,” said Pat Reiten, President and CEO of Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp.

Under the EIM, the California ISO will automatically dispatch the best resources to meet immediate changes in energy demands. EIM also provides advanced resource modeling, a 15-minute scheduling option, congestion management, and a better situational awareness of the grid, all supporting a more efficient, economical, and reliable operation of the grid. Leveraging resource diversity across a large geographic area means that, among other things, grid operators can reduce the amount of energy reserves they individually have to carry, which reduces costs.

The EIM design and development over the past two years was made possible through the commitment and cooperation of stakeholders across the West including its first participant, PacifiCorp. When including the Portland-based utility’s operating area in the EIM, the California ISO’s real-time market will operate simultaneously across the six states of California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming.

The scheduled EIM go live is set for October 1, 2014. In addition, Las Vegas-based NV Energy has applied with their state regulator to begin participation in the new market beginning in October 2015. Additional participants can enter the EIM at low cost and low risk.

For more EIM information, click here.

To learn about the 15-minute scheduling option, see this link.

California ISO Media Hotline | 888.516.6397

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The California ISO provides open and non-discriminatory access to one of the largest power grids in the world. The vast network of

high-voltage transmission power lines is supported by a competitive energy market and comprehensive grid planning. Partnering with about a hundred clients, the nonprofit public benefit corporation is dedicated to the continual development and reliable operation of a modern grid that operates for the benefit of consumers. Recognizing the importance of the global climate challenge, the ISO is at the forefront of integrating renewable power and advanced technologies that will help meet a sustainable energy future efficiently and cleanly.

Contacts

California Independent System Operator
Oscar Hidalgo, 916-608-5834 or 916-342-8603
ohidalgo@caiso.com
or
PacifiCorp.
Bob Gravely, 503-813-7282 or 503-568-3174
bob.gravely@pacificorp.com

Contacts

California Independent System Operator
Oscar Hidalgo, 916-608-5834 or 916-342-8603
ohidalgo@caiso.com
or
PacifiCorp.
Bob Gravely, 503-813-7282 or 503-568-3174
bob.gravely@pacificorp.com