Transcript Slide 1

Reserves Issue
• For years there has been disagreement
over reserves issues and what constitutes
firm power.
• We’ve been able to function as a market,
despite this, largely because nothing has
forced these issues to be decided.
• Recent developments are now forcing the
issue to a head.
Letter from WECC MIC to WSPP
EC and OC Chairs
• Upcoming changes to contingency reserve
responsibility.
• Two objectives of the letter:
– Inform the members of the issue
– Request that WSPP evaluate actions
available to WSPP that would mitigate market
(and reliability) impacts.
• Encourages resolution of short-term issue
(December 4) and long-term issues.
What the Agreement says
• Service Schedule C
– C-3.10 Seller shall be responsible for
ensuring that Service Schedule C
transactions are scheduled as firm power
consistent with the most recent rules adopted
by the applicable NERC regional reliability
council.
• For years we’ve had tacit agreement over
what the WECC rules were. Now they
have changed.
WECC Interpretation of “Load
Responsibility”
• Approved on September 7, 2007
• “Energy product definitions are determined
by the entities that are parties to the
transaction.
– It is up to Purchasing Selling Entities to
determine their level of acceptable
deliverability risk and determine who has
contingency reserve responsibility.”
INT-BPS-014-0 (Identification of
Contingency Reserve Responsibilities
in the e-Tag)
• B. Requirements
– WR1. When both the Source and Sink
Balancing Authorities (BAs) are within the
Western interconnection, e-Tag Authors will
identify the BA or Reserve Sharing Group
member responsible for including the
transaction in their calculation of Contingency
Reserve requirements. This entity will be
referred to as the “Responsible Entity.” Only
one selection will be made.
INT-BPS-014-0 (Identification of
Contingency Reserve Responsibilities
in the e-Tag)
• C. Measures
– WM1. Interchange Authorities will provide
evidence that they only accept e-Tags
containing the Responsible Entity….
– WM2. Balancing Authorities…will provide
evidence of correctly adjusting their
Contingency Reserve Obligations by the
amounts shown on the implemented e-Tag.
NWPP Response
• NWPP RSG members (if the source) will not
carry reserves for exports outside the NWPP
unless the e-Tag states otherwise.
• NWPP RSG members (if the sink) will carry
reserves for imports into the NWPP unless the
e-Tag states otherwise.
• For transactions in the NW where the source
and sink are NWPP RSG members, the source
BA will carry the reserve responsibility.
California/BPA situation
• Sellers claim they can not arrange to
provide reserves, as this is a function of
the ISO.
• ISO is the BA for many of the transactions
originating in California.
• BPA claims it’s merchant can not obligate
its BA to provide reserves for sales. It can
for purchases, as the sink BA is the
provider of last choice for reserves.
What the Agreement says
• Operating Procedure No. 1
– Requires sending control area to notify
receiving control area (and all intermediaries)
of the “reserve responsibility.”
– Seller, if different from the sending control
area, shall notify sending control area.
– Buyer, if different from the receiving control
area, shall notify the receiving control area.
ICE issue
• Significant quantity of preschedule and
term trades done on ice.
• Does not specify who carries reserves.
• Do not know who your counterparty is until
transaction is consummated.
• Discussions with ICE.
Actions available to WSPP
• Amend the contract to have a default, with
the ability to agree otherwise.
• Amend the contract to have different
default provisions specific to different
regions/transaction.
• Post a list of members on the website who
interpret the agreement a certain way.
– (ICE interface)
• Let market forces shape itself.
At a minimum…
• “Get the word out” campaign notifying
members of the issue.
• Letter from Sempra.
• Long-term thinking – next steps.