WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY MARKETS

von Meier, Alexandra. “Stakeholder Processes.”

markets that accommodate the buying and selling of power between generators and resellers, the latter of which may include electricity distribution companies, competitive power providers and electricity marketers. In some cases, utilities may own generation and sell directly to end-use customers.

Pros

Wholesale markets have kept consumer energy costs low.

Cons

They can have unforeseen consequences, e.g. the market price falls to negative overnight due to an oversupply of free-fuel generation such as wind.

Real Talk

These markets have served us well but will forever be in conflict with community RE goals until they are technically and economically aligned with the RE generation cycle.