Market Monitor Blog
Your home for commercial electricity and natural gas market news—covering market factors like supply, demand, regulatory affairs, weather, and more.
ERCOT Independent Market Monitor To Step Down
Dan Jones said he is leaving his job as ERCOT independent market monitor, explaining that the move is “the right decision for me and my family at this point in our lives and my career.” He added that his departure after seven years as independent market monitor is unrelated to the ongoing debate in Texas… Read more
FERC Approves PJM’s Request To Waive $1,000/MWh Offer Cap
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM’s request to waive its $1,000/MWh offer cap through the end of March. The request came after vicious winter weather in January in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Under its approved request, PJM will waive the cap for cost-based day-ahead energy offers… Read more
Coal’s Share Of ERCOT Generating Mix Continues To Make Gains
Coal’s share of ERCOT’s generation mix continued to makes gains in January, as natural gas’ share dropped, according to data from the grid operator. Coal-fired facilities generated 38.4 percent of the energy needed in January, down from 40.8 percent in December but up from 36.9 percent in January 2013.… Read more
FERC Approves NYISO Plan To Pay Generators For Costs Above Cap
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted NYISO’s request for a tariff waiver to make generators whole for times when spiking natural gas prices exceeded the market’s bid cap. Prices surged to $120/MMBTU as cold gripped New York late last month compared to price increases of just under $40/MMBTU… Read more
New peak demand forecasting model could alter debate over market structure in ERCOT
A new methodology for forecasting peak electricity demand in Texas – which shows demand may not grow as quickly or as much as previously thought – could significantly reshape the debate over the future of the state’s competitive electricity market. Read more
$3.6 Billion In Improvements On Tap For ERCOT
Transmission providers in ERCOT expect to complete more than $3.6 billion in projects between 2014 and 2018, according to a report from the Texas grid operator. The “2013 Report on Existing and Potential Electric Constraints and Needs” identifies 16 transmission improvements planned for the next five… Read more
Electricity Pricing Breakdown: Ancillary Services Cost Components (Article 4 of 5)
Electricity Pricing Breakdown is a new series in Market Monitor designed to give buyers a better understanding of the many cost components that drive the total price large commercial and industrial customers ultimately pay for electricity. Read more
ERCOT: Electricity Use Increased 2.1 Percent In 2013
ERCOT said electricity use was up 2.1 percent last year compared with 2012, as coal-fired capacity rebounded. Power plants that burn coal provided 37.2 percent of that electricity, up from 33.8 percent in 2012; natural gas-fired units provided 40.5 percent of the power in 2013, down from 44.6 percent… Read more
PJM Expects Peak Demand To Grow More Slowly Than Previously Forecast
PJM said it expects peak demand to grow more slowly than previously forecast, increasing at an average annual rate of 1 percent over the next decade as opposed to the 1.3 percent that was projected a year ago. Read more
Ancillary Services Cost Components - PJM
Electricity Pricing Breakdown is a new series in Market Monitor designed to give buyers a better understanding of the many cost components that drive the total price large commercial and industrial customers ultimately pay for electricity. Read more