Interconnection

If PJM Interconnection and the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) can fully implement protocols related to seams-related coordination efforts, those protocols will likely minimize the potential to game the differences between locational prices, the market monitors for both regional transmission organizations (RTOs) conclude in a new joint report filed at FERC.

An official with PJM Interconnection last Tuesday questioned whether FERC’s recently unveiled proposal for a standard market design (SMD) in U.S. wholesale electricity markets makes the right call in proposing to allow for hourly bidding on energy transactions without any types of restrictions.

A power trading practice detected last month by PJM Interconnection that spiked power prices and sent loop flows higher by more than 3,000 MW, did not violate the grid operator’s market rules, and instead was the result of flawed incentives for market participants who were attempting to maximize the price they received for power, the head of PJM’s market monitoring unit (MMU) said last Tuesday.

PJM Interconnection’s market monitoring unit (MMU) is taking a closer look at a series of events that took place earlier this month involving a power trading practice that churned loop flows higher by more than 3,000 MW and increased prices after a gulf emerged between contract and actual power flows at the grid operator’s interfaces with American Electric Power (AEP) and Dominion Virginia Power.

The antitrust division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing allegations raised in a PJM Interconnection report that concludes that earlier this year a market participant exercised undue market power in PJM’s capacity credit markets, causing the price in those markets to spike higher than it would have otherwise been in a competitive market.

A recent report finds that all six of PJM Interconnection’s markets were reasonably competitive in 2000, although the same report warns of potential threats to competition in at least three of PJM’s markets that deserve ongoing scrutiny. At the same time, the report recommends the retention of bid caps in two of PJM’s markets and the continued development of demand-side responsiveness initiatives.

PJM Interconnection recently said that it expects its peak load this summer will come in at 52,977 MW, with a reserve margin of 17.7%. Overall, PJM said that its forecasted 2001 summer situation will be similar to the summer of 2000.

PJM Interconnection last week said that it expects its peak load this summer will come in at 52,977 MW, with a reserve margin of 17.7%. Overall, PJM said that its forecasted 2001 summer situation will be similar to the summer of 2000.

In seeking FERC certification as a regional transmissionorganization (RTO) last week, PJM Interconnection LLC and its ninetransmission owners claimed the regional independent systemoperator (ISO) already possessed the characteristics and functionsrequired by the Commission’s Order 2000 to qualify as an RTO.