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by Gaby Flores
If you haven’t read the previous blog posts in this series, catch up here! In this blog post, we’ll cover what Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations are and their history.
Learn about:
- Independent System Operators (ISOs)
- Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
- The history of PJM, MISO, CAISO, NYISO, NEISO, ERCOT, SPP, and EIM
The History of Deregulated Power Markets
As a wave of deregulation spread throughout the country in the late 1970s, people began to contemplate whether deregulated power markets could increase competition for generation owners and decrease the price of electricity for consumers.
Typically, the vertically integrated utilities that owned generation and transmission facilities were the only ones with access to transmission lines.
In an effort to introduce more competition, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Orders 888 and 889 required transmission services to be available to all generation owners. Independent System Operators (ISOs) were created in some areas of the country as a way to comply with these orders.
In vertically integrated markets, utilities controlled and maintained transmission. In deregulated markets, people formed Independent System Operators to perform this function.
What Is an Independent System Operator?
ISOs are independent, not-for-profit organizations, with the responsibility of coordinating generation and transmission. Their two main goals are:
- To provide reliable electricity
- To provide cost-effective electricity.
There are now eight deregulated markets in the US and 11 total in North America.
RTOs vs. ISOs
The terms Independent System Operator (ISO) and Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) are often used interchangeably. As far as functionality goes, ISOs and RTOs are the same thing.
However, FERC Order 2000 outlined specific functions required to be classified as an RTO, which advanced the promotion of efficient wholesale power markets. Many markets were already operating as ISOs and subsequently became RTOs after meeting FERC’s requirements but kept their original names.
PJM-ISO
The Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (PJM) power pool was the first to become an ISO. PJM pooled its power as early as 1927, adopted the first Energy Management System in 1968, and then became the first ISO in 1997.
MISO and CAISO
The Midwestern Independent System Operator (MISO) followed shortly afterward. Like PJM, MISO had already been operating as a power pool and was approved as an ISO in 1998.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) was also approved as an ISO in 1998.
NYISO
Following the Northeast blackout affecting 30 million people, New York also began operating as a power pool in 1965. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) began controlling the grid and electricity markets in 1999.
NEISO
The New England Independent System Operator (NEISO) was founded in 1997, implementing wholesale markets and open access to transmission lines. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that NEISO restructured and adopted a financial market.
ERCOT
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) also became an ISO before adopting a financial market. ERCOT ISO was founded in 1996 and opened its financial market in 2010.
SPP
The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) was also an early adopter of the power pool, founded in 1941 to keep a critical-defense-needs aluminum factory running at all times. Although it was approved as an RTO in 2004, it did not launch its fully integrated market until 2014.
Western EIM
The Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) was founded in 2014. EIM is a real-time market operated by CAISO, which identifies the lowest-cost supply to meet real-time demand. Unlike other ISOs and RTOs, participation in the EIM is completely voluntary and participants continue to control their generation and transmission assets. (If you are unsure what a real-time market is, don't worry; we covered day-ahead and real-time markets.)
Other Areas of North America
There are only two areas of the US that do not operate as deregulated markets, the Southeast and areas of the West. However, it is likely that those areas will also transition to competitive markets in the future.
There are also power markets in Canada and Mexico. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) are Canada’s competitive electricity markets.
Centro Nacional de Control de Energia (CENACE) is Mexico’s competitive electricity market.
This is a summary of the introduction of ISOs in North America. Read our post on how ISOs and competitive power markets function next.
Next Steps
For more information on the terms in this blog post, check out the Yes Energy Glossary.
Resources we found helpful when putting together Power Markets 101 are available.
