Before the California ISO (CAISO) launched the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) in 2014, Balancing Authorities (BAs) in the Western Interconnection worked independently to balance demand needs with their generation. In spite of the challenges facing these autonomous operations, like the increasing penetration of renewable resources, ever-evolving regulatory requirements, increasing demand for clean energy by consumers, and rising cost of fossil fuels, the concept of an EIM was viewed with suspicion. Many BAs feared that the market was going to fail because the costs of its creation and operation would outweigh the projected benefits.

These projected benefits come from the EIM’s ability to break down grid barriers between Balancing Authority Areas (BAAs), ease renewable resource integration, and increase reliability across the EIM region through the sharing of information on how to balance electricity delivery between BAs.

For most utilities considering future participation in the Western EIM, the prospect can seem overwhelming. This OATI e-Book offers an overview of operational expectations and best practices for market participants and checklists of major required functions that, when followed, will help market participants successfully comply with the Western EIM operating, reporting, bidding, and scheduling requirements. It also provides relevant factual information required under the CAISO Tariff as participating entities perform their daily operations within the Western EIM.

To learn more about the day to day operations that are critical to successful participation in the Western EIM, request your copy of our free e-Book, Navigating Western-EIM Standard Operating Procedures, by filling out the form here.