Western Markets

In an interview with Utility Dive, United’s Brian Turner highlighted a proposed CAISO change to how behind-the-meter batteries and other distributed energy resources are accounted for, which could unlock more than 2GW of currently underutilized capacity in CAISO’s wholesale power market, and strengthens California’s resource adequacy and reliability.

POLITICO reports that as CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market and SPP’s Markets+ rapidly expand across the West, there is a growing focus on preventing “seams” between the two systems that could lead to inefficiencies, prompting FERC to intervene. United’s Brian Turner said these cross-market challenges require oversight beyond any single market and may ultimately require a stronger coordinating authority to ensure efficiency and reliability.

DEER VALLEY, UTAH – Today, a year-long initiative focused on Western energy issues comes to a close with the release of a new report from the Western Governors’ Association. The report is a product of Governor Spencer Cox’s Chair’s Initiative, “Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West.” The Initiative held a series of workshops and conversations throughout the region over the past year, looking at actionable ways to improve the ability of the West to build the energy infrastructure needed to power its future.

The Nevada Independent reports that NV Energy is entering the extended day-ahead market (EDAM), allowing the utility to purchase and sell power up to a day ahead—a move that is expected to save utility customers more than $93 million per year. United’s Brian Turner spoke to the benefits of joining the EDAM, which will provide NV Energy with greater system reliability and better access to advanced energy resources.

KUNR Public Radio reports on the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), a new regional energy market designed to help the West buy and share the most affordable power a full day before it’s needed. United’s Brian Turner highlighted that utilities can use that added lead time to better balance supply and demand throughout the region, especially during peak demand.

After a multi-year effort, the Extended Day-Ahead Market is now live

Despite Nevada’s state requirement to join a regional transmission organization (RTO) by 2030, RTO Insider reports that NV Energy is weighing whether to ask Nevada regulators to waive or postpone the RTO requirement—a request that must be filed by Jan. 1, 2027. United’s Brian Turner stated that if NV Energy requests to postpone the RTO mandate, the commission should require an explanation of how the company ultimately will join an RTO, along with regular progress reports.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved NV Energy’s proposal to join the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), marking a milestone moment for the future of Western energy markets. EDAM is scheduled to go live on May 1 and will soon be overseen by the Regional Organization for Western Energy, a uniquely Western organization that will provide transparent, independent governance for real-time and day-ahead market services.

Utility Dive reports that the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted to approve NV Energy’s application to join the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). United’s Brian Turner commended the commission’s decision, stating that participation in EDAM will allow power to be shared seamlessly across the western U.S., boosting reliability and lowering energy costs for consumers.

State leaders from Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada; and industry leaders from Google, Leap, and La Plata Electric Association have signaled their support for a new report from Advanced Energy United showcasing how the newly-established Regional Organization for Western Energy (ROWE) provides a pathway to a unified Western market.

Nevada’s KUNR Public Radio reports on Advanced Energy United’s new report, which outlines a path toward a single, West-wide regional energy market that would allow utilities to buy and sell electricity across state lines more seamlessly. The station interviewed United Managing Director Leah Rubin Shen, who emphasizes that state governments and utilities need to work together to keep the lights on and costs down.

As electricity demand rises across the West and grid reliability and affordability concerns persist, a new report from Advanced Energy United shows that the Regional Organization for Western Energy (ROWE) offers a practical, uniquely Western-built pathway to a stronger regional grid.