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Entering the energy market

The power industry is changing fast — and that creates opportunities for new participants to enter our competitive market. We have revised the signup steps for new entrants to make it easier to get started. Follow the menu links to see how you can participate in our energy market.

 

Participation types


Become a Scheduling coordinator

To participate in the ISO market you must be a certified scheduling coordinator (SC) or retain the services of a certified SC to act on your behalf.

Western Energy Imbalance Market entity

Advance preparation is key to successful entry into the Western Energy Imbalance Market — we will help you through the process.

Generation

The ISO provides open and non-discriminatory access to the transmission grid, which is supported by a competitive energy market for resources generating one megawatt or more.

Distributed energy resource provider

Distributed energy resource providers that own or operate an aggregation of distributed energy resources can participate in the ISO markets.

Demand response and load

ISO market rules allow load and aggregation of loads capable of reducing their electric demand to participate as price responsive demand in the ancillary services market and as curtailable demand in real-time.

Dynamic transfers

Dynamic transfers support changes in net interchange between two Balancing Authority Areas (BAA) by automating intra-hour dispatch and real-time interchange schedule adjustments.

Storage

Electricity storage can participate in the ISO market and provide significant flexibility in balancing the grid.

Metered subsystems

Electric utilities in existence prior to the start of ISO operations and inside its balancing authority can become metered subsystems and balance loads and resources within their territories.

Transmission

Transmission owners can elect to turn operational control of their facilities over to the ISO and collect access charges from users.

Utility distribution company

Utilities own the local distribution systems that take energy from the high voltage transmission system managed by the ISO to provide retail electric service to end-use customers.

Market products

Participants seeking to provide ancillary services and participate in the congestion revenue rights and convergence bidding processes must meet specific requirements and complete the registration processes.


Helpful Resources


Resource interconnection guide

Find out how to connect a resource to the ISO grid.

Application access

Find access requirements as well as application technical specifications and user information.

Learning Center 

Understand how to do business with the ISO using these materials and courses.

Western Energy Imbalance Market 

Learn about Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) activities underway

EIM Map