News Release
For immediate release | October 2, 2017 Media Hotline 888.516.6397
For more information, contact:
Steven Greenlee | sgreenlee@caiso.com
Steven Corson | Steven.Corson@pgn.com
Portland General Electric joins western Energy Imbalance Market
Real-time market now serves 38 million consumers in eight western states
FOLSOM, Calif.| Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) on October 1
became the fifth western utility to successfully begin full participation in the western Energy
Imbalance Market (EIM). The Oregon utility and the California Independent System Operator
(ISO) recently completed several weeks of extensive systems testing – the culmination of two
years of preparatory work and coordination – and have certified that PGE is ready for financially
binding participation in the only multi-state real-time energy market in the West.
The ISO estimates significant cost benefits have been produced for members since the EIM
launched in November 2014, by effectively using the low-cost energy available in the region to
meet changes in real-time energy demand. That’s in addition to carbon-reductions achieved
through efficient dispatch of renewable resources. Those savings are projected to increase as
more utilities join the market.
“The EIM is stronger with the addition of PGE, and we welcome its participation,” said Steve
Berberich, ISO President and CEO. “The real-time energy market supports its participants by
offering access to low-cost energy regardless of their location, a tool to help meet clean energy
goals and boosts grid reliability — so it is a win-win for everyone, including consumers.”
For more than 125 years, PGE has been serving the greater Portland region that now has nearly 2
million residents.
“To benefit our customers, PGE is working to help build a smarter, cleaner, more resilient energy
grid,” said Maria Pope, PGE’s president and incoming CEO. “Joining the EIM is an important
milestone in that effort, helping maintain reliability and keep power affordable while making
efficient use of carbon-free renewable resources throughout the region.”
The EIM uses state-of-the-art software to analyze regional grid needs and make available low-cost
generation to meet demand every five minutes. Participating utilities save money by drawing
automatically on the least-cost generating option available to meet short-term variations in their
customers’ power use. This also allows participants to maximize the use of renewable resources,
by making it easier to take immediate advantage of available wind and solar generation anywhere
in the system while efficiently integrating their variable output with other, dispatchable resources.
PGE joins Arizona Public Service, Puget Sound Energy, NV Energy, PacifiCorp and the ISO,
together serving over 38 million consumers in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah,
Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada.
Future EIM participants include Idaho Power and Canada’s Powerex, which will enter the market in
April 2018, followed by Seattle City Light, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and the
Balancing Authority of Northern California/Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 2019, and Salt
River Project in 2020.
For more information, see the EIM webpage here
.
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California ISO Media Hotline | 888.516.6397
250 Outcropping Way | Folsom, California 95630 | www.caiso.com
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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.