Western Energy Market Must Shift as Power Flows Evolve, Experts Say

The Western energy market is undergoing significant changes as power flow patterns evolve. Historically, energy has flowed from north to south, but now the trend is reversing, with south-to-north energy flows becoming more common.

This shift in power flow patterns is a concern for experts, who warn that it may require systemic changes and more accurate generation forecasts to protect grid stability. The Western Interconnection can split along its north-south boundary to protect grid stability in certain circumstances, but this approach does not consider the growth of south-to-north power flows.

Chris Sanford, a system dispatcher with Bonneville Power Administration, expressed his concerns about the lack of preparation for the loss of 3,600 MW of load in California. He noted that a triple line loss on the California-Oregon Intertie would be a difficult exercise to respond to, and that the system is not yet prepared to deal with such a loss.

A major study is needed to address the issue, and RC West has just started the process of working with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council on the issue. The system is changing, and it is essential to re-look into the WECC-1 RAS to ensure grid stability.

Daniel Koppes, director of main grid operations with PacifiCorp, noted that new power flows and configurations uncover new stability limits in the system. He emphasized the importance of updating tools and models to find these issues ahead of time, but acknowledged that it is challenging due to the dynamic nature of the system.

Several speakers highlighted the importance of data sharing in addressing transmission constraints. Yasser Bahbaz, senior director of operations support with SPP, emphasized the need for energy merchants and marketers to update their offers as far ahead as possible. He also noted that SPP has "seams in the East" and is working to expand coordination along the seams.

However, Sanman Rokade, manager of transmission operations engineering at Portland General Electric, raised concerns about how data should be digested across seams. He emphasized the importance of using the same format and inputs to ensure that data is being utilized effectively.

| **Feature** | **Historical Precedent** | **Current Trend** | | --- | --- | --- | | Power Flow | North-to-south | South-to-north | | Generation Forecast | Limited | More Accurate | | Grid Stability | Protected | Concerns Raised |

The Western energy market is at a critical juncture, and it is essential to address the evolving power flow patterns to ensure grid stability. Experts warn that a major study is needed to address the issue, and that data sharing is crucial in addressing transmission constraints.