Metering and telemetry
Accurate metering of electricity generated or consumed provides key data inputs for precise settlement calculations. The use of telemetry to directly measure a generator or load participant allows the ISO to manage and monitor power generation in real-time. Metering and telemetry are mandatory tools for ensuring accurate revenue accounting and ISO operational visibility.
Metering
Operating procedures - 5700 metering process
Meter data represents the energy generated or consumed during a settlement interval. The ISO, ISO metered entities, and scheduling coordinator metered entities follow prescribed processes and procedures to ensure the data is settlement quality. These procedures complement, but do not replace, section 10 of the ISO Tariff and Business Practice Manual for Metering.
Meter installation, inspection, and certification
- Meter lnspector Certification Agreement12/05/2024, 12:29 PM
- Meter and Site Verification Sheet 08/28/2023, 11:58 AM
- Meter Maintenance08/28/2023, 11:58 AM
- Meter Configuration Worksheet07/03/2023, 10:06 AM
- Metering Contact Form02/07/2023, 9:28 AM
- Inspector ID Questionnaire10/09/2018, 10:10 AM
- Inspector Application Form10/09/2018, 10:10 AM
- Specification for ISO Meters 07/21/2016, 9:28 AM
Approved meters, installation, and inspection companies
An ISO metered entity seeking certification of its metering facilities is required to independently engage an ISO authorized inspector to perform the inspection, and request the ISO to perform the certification. It is the responsibility of the metered entity to ensure the inspector it engages is ISO authorized at the time of inspection.
- ISO Authorized Inspectors12/05/2024, 12:31 PM
- Approved ISO Meters09/29/2023, 8:11 AM
Metering documentation guidelines
The metered entity provides schematics of the metering installation being considered for ISO certification. Such drawings must be dated, bear the current drawing revision number and show all wiring, connections and devices in the circuits.
- Checklist - Single and Three Line Drawing Requirements10/30/2024, 10:53 AM
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Fieldwork Guide10/25/2024, 11:43 AM
Meter and RIG Fieldwork guide for CAISO participants.
- Checklist - Meter Configuration and RIG Details01/14/2021, 8:38 AM
- Checklist - Communication Block Drawing01/14/2021, 8:38 AM
Metering exemptions
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202412/30/2024, 10:44 AM
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202312/29/2023, 2:48 PM
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202201/17/2024, 12:58 PM
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202101/03/2022, 8:31 AM
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202012/31/2020, 2:59 PM
- Meter Exemption Request Form01/08/2020, 3:19 PM
- Metering Exemption Listing Report 202501/31/2025, 10:06 AM
Station power program
Station power — the energy used to operate auxiliary equipment and other load that is directly related to the production of energy — can be converted from retail service to wholesale service.
- Station Power End-Dated Portfolios12/26/2018, 1:49 PM
- Station Power Approved Portfolios12/26/2018, 1:49 PM
- Station Power Applications In Progress09/03/2013, 2:12 PM
- Station Power Portfolio Application Form10/23/2012, 12:22 PM
- Station Power Portfolio Application Procedure09/12/2012, 12:30 PM
- Station Power Program Overview06/06/2006, 9:22 AM
Meter data submission
Qualified reporting entity
The role of the qualified reporting entity (QRE) is to submit meter data associated with renewable energy on behalf of ISO metered entities (ISO polled) using the WREGIS application. The generator owner/agent needs to complete, sign, and submit original hard copies of the service request form and service agreement to begin the QRE process with the ISO.
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Qualified Reporting Entity Service Request Form07/02/2018, 4:29 PM
Note: Information submitted on this document must match the entity name and punctuation as it appears on the Meter Service Agreement (MSA) for ISO Metered Entities in order for it to be considered for processing.
- Qualified Reporting Entity Service Agreement07/02/2018, 4:29 PM
- Qualified Reporting Entity Service Request Application Process05/09/2016, 11:37 AM
Settlement quality meter data (SQMD)
Scheduling coordinator (SC) metered entities are required to submit Settlement quality meter data (SQMD) plans. The documents below contain technical information and supporting documentation for SC metered entities.
- Penalty Enhancements - Demand Response, Investigation, and Tolling (PEDRIT)12/30/2024, 10:00 AM
- SQMD Plan Template Tutorial02/06/2023, 8:25 AM
- SQMD Plan Template02/06/2023, 8:25 AM
- New Resource Interconnection Energy Imbalance Market Onboarding Project Loader02/06/2023, 8:25 AM
- Meter Data Information Request Form07/02/2018, 2:31 PM
- SQMD Plan Template Additional Metering Devices Form05/24/2017, 8:01 AM
Settlement quality meter data plan affirmation and scheduling coordinator self audit attestation
Scheduling coordinators must annually complete a self-audit of settlement quality meter data (SQMD) processes. This requires examining meter data processes to demonstrate appropriate controls for accurate reporting.
- SC Self Audit Attestation Form12/03/2019, 11:16 AM
- Scheduling Coordinator Self Audit Frequently Asked Questions11/06/2019, 1:11 PM
- SQMD Plan Affirmation Frequently Asked Questions08/30/2019, 5:25 PM
Telemetry
Generating units and load participants must establish and maintain a data processing gateway between plant facilities and the ISO energy management system for the purpose of generation control and monitoring.
The ISO requires direct telemetry of participating generators and load. For those generating units providing regulation energy, a remote intelligent gateway (RIG) is required. For resources providing non-regulation ancillary services or supplemental energy, a data processing gateway (DPG) or other ISO-approved technology must be used.
Remote intelligent gateway testing and validation
The ISO has overall responsibility for validating real-time data collected through direct telemetry. The ISO executes this responsibility partially through requirements placed on the ISO participating generator which may include responsibilities satisfied by the resource’s scheduling coordinator. The documents below contain information for remote intelligent gateway (RIG) testing.
- Telemetry Requirements FAQs for PRR 131801/12/2021, 10:05 AM
- RIG Acceptance Test (RAT) Procedures09/19/2016, 11:42 AM
RIG certification
Required information and technical guidelines for direct telemetry.
- List of Validated RIG Solutions11/23/2022, 8:36 AM
- RIG/DPG Validation Procedure12/23/2015, 3:17 PM
- RIG Engineering and Deployment Guide10/30/2007, 11:28 AM
Forms
The ISO requires information on the 24-hour contact sheet to contact the Generating Facility when there are telemetry issues.
- 24 Hour Contact - Operations02/07/2023, 9:28 AM
- Remote Intelligent Gateway Details03/26/2021, 2:41 PM
Telemetry exemptions
The ISO has the authority to grant exemptions from certain ISO telemetry standards. An ISO participating generator must provide all required documentation in order to submit a request for a telemetry exemption.
- Telemetry Exemption Request Form08/15/2022, 2:45 PM
- Telemetry Exemption Listing Report 202412/30/2024, 10:44 AM
- Telemetry Exemption Listing Report 202501/31/2025, 10:06 AM
Documents required for participation
Please provide required information to initiate certification, meter service and network connectivity agreements early in the process. Direct telemetry facilities for participating generators, participating loads, Proxy demand resources must establish the contractual agreements to participate.
- Meter Service Agreement for Scheduling Coordinators Information Request Sheet07/18/2024, 2:02 PM
- Meter Service Agreement for ISO Metered Entities Information Request Sheet11/09/2022, 11:59 AM
- ISO Tariff, Appendix B.7 - Meter Service Agreement for Scheduling Coordinators03/21/2018, 7:42 PM
- Appendix B.7 - Meter Service Agreement for Scheduling Coordinators as of Jun 12, 201303/21/2018, 1:50 PM
Fieldwork support requests
The Energy Data Acquisition Systems group provides fieldwork scheduling and support by appointment.
Related application(s) and access
RIG
View how to install a certificate for a Remote Intelligent Gateway (RIG), Data Processing Gateway (DPG) or Inter Control Center Protocol (ICCP) and establish Energy Communications Network (ECN) connectivity.
MRI-S
View the Market Results Interface - Settlements (MRI-S) user guide on the application page.
Related ISO Tariff and Business Practice Manuals
- ISO Tariff05/18/2024, 7:42 PM
- ISO Tariff, Section 10 - Metering04/05/2024, 11:14 AM
- Business Practice Manual for Metering05/18/2024, 7:43 PM
- Business Practice Manual for Direct Telemetry05/18/2024, 7:42 PM