USA, California: Multistate, Regional Electricity Market Will Benefit the Golden State

Study Touts Benefits of CAISO Expansion (rtoinsider)

CAISO’s expansion into a multistate, regional electricity market could save California ratepayers as much as $1.5 billion annually while helping the state to meet or exceed its 2030 emission-reduction goals, according to a study commissioned by the ISO.

California’s Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act — the 2015 law that established the state’s 50% by 2030 renewable portfolio standard — required CAISO to perform an analysis of the economic, environmental and reliability impact of regionalizing the Western grid.

By 2030, the market would help California reduce electric sector CO2 emissions by 4 million to 5 million metric tons per year — 8 to 10% below a scenario with no regional market. That would represent a 58% decline from 1990 levels.

The market’s larger operational footprint will allow for improved renewable integration through centralized control and increased awareness of neighboring areas. Lower requirements for load-following resources, operating reserves and planning reserves will lower costs for maintaining reliability.

There will be a GRC Fieldtrip to the headquarters of CAISO from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26, Sacramento, California.

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