NV Energy Signals Intent to Join California ISO’s EDAM

Contact: ISOMedia@caiso.com

Success in real-time market, interest in optimizing resources key to decision

FOLSOM, Calif. – NV Energy is the latest energy provider to signal its intention to join the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) being launched by the California Independent System Operator (ISO). 

NV Energy’s intention was disclosed in the utility’s filing on May 31 of its triennial integrated resource plan to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. By joining the EDAM, NV Energy would expand on its cost savings already realized through its participation in the ISO’s real-time Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM).

In the filing, NV Energy cites the growing EDAM footprint as critical to its decision. The anticipated participation by the ISO, PacifiCorp, Balancing Authority of Northern California, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Portland General Electric, provides valuable interconnectivity and supports access to a diversity of resources. In addition, Idaho Power has indicated it is leaning toward EDAM as its preferred day-ahead market.

The EDAM, a voluntary day-ahead electricity market, is designed to deliver significant reliability, economic, and environmental benefits to balancing areas and utilities throughout the West. NV Energy has been participating in the WEIM since December 2015, realizing $488 million in cumulative benefits to its customers.

"Participating in the EDAM allows NV Energy to better plan resource needs and fully optimize its generation portfolio, reducing costs for our customers,” said NV Energy President and CEO Doug Cannon. “We look forward to continuing this work with the ISO to grow the footprint even more and drive better outcomes for all."

Since its launch in 2014, the WEIM has produced $5.5 billion in economic efficiencies and enhanced reliability by leveraging transmission connectivity and resource diversity across a broad geographical footprint covering 22 entities in 11 states. EDAM, scheduled to launch in 2026, would build on that success by expanding into the day-ahead market where most energy transactions occur, unlocking greater value and efficiencies.

NV Energy’s intention to join the EDAM is a substantial milestone in advancing the efficient coordination of the electric needs for growing loads and a changing resource mix across the West. As the real-time market has demonstrated, Nevada's resources and its transmission system are central to optimizing access to the most affordable and reliable energy across a large and diverse Western footprint.

NV Energy has stated that it supports the ongoing work of the West-Wide Governance Pathway's Initiative and looks forward to the ISO successfully implementing governance changes to facilitate NV Energy’s participation in the EDAM and ensuring participants outside California have a meaningful voice in shaping the future market operations for the benefit of our customers.

“NV Energy has been a valued partner in the WEIM and on the policy development for the EDAM,” said Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO of the ISO. “We are pleased to see it signaling intent to participate in the EDAM and look forward to working with NV Energy and other utilities to create a broad, unified energy footprint in the West.”

NV Energy will follow up later this year with a formal filing to its state commission seeking approval to join EDAM.

For more information, visit our EDAM webpage on the westerneim.com website.

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated, with its partners, to continuous improvement and secure operation of a reliable grid operated for the benefit of consumers. 
It provides comprehensive grid planning, open and nondiscriminatory access to one of the largest networks of high-voltage transmission power lines in the world, and operates a $9 billion competitive electricity market. Recognizing the importance of the global climate challenge, the ISO is at the forefront of integrating renewable power and advanced technologies that will help provide a sustainable energy future efficiently and cleanly.

The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) is a real-time wholesale energy trading market that enables participants anywhere in the West to buy and sell energy when needed. The WEIM Governing Body is the governing authority designed by regional stakeholders and has shared authority with the ISO Board of Governors to resolve rules specific to participation in the WEIM.