Oregon-based Portland General Electric has officially begun participation in the California Independent System Operator's Extended Day-Ahead Market, expanding access to affordable, reliable and clean energy resources for its customers and across the West, CAISO said on Oct. 1.
EDAM allows participating utilities to buy and sell energy in the day-ahead timeframe, where most electricity transactions occur. EDAM also enables more efficient use of the diverse energy resources available across the West, including hydropower and wind from the Pacific Northwest and solar generation from California and the desert Southwest, CAISO said.
"By optimizing supply, demand and transmission across a broader geographic footprint, the market helps lower costs, improves reliability and supports greater use of renewable energy," it said.
PGE has participated in the ISO's Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) since 2017, reporting approximately $377 million in cumulative benefits for the company and its customers during that time.
Overall, since the market launched in 2014, WEIM has grown to include 24 balancing authorities serving nearly 80 percent of electricity demand in the West and resulting in more than $9 billion in financial savings. EDAM went live in May, generating more than $11 million in initial benefits for participating entities and their customers during the market’s first two months of operation.
EDAM launched May 1 with the ISO and PacifiCorp's two balancing authority areas. Since then, PacifiCorp is already delivering value for its customers through its market participation.
Additional utilities are scheduled to join beginning in 2027, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Balancing Authority of Northern California, the Public Service Company of New Mexico and Turlock Irrigation District.
The Imperial Irrigation District, BHE Montana and NV Energy have committed to join in 2028.
