Benefit of counsel: do the benefits of competitive wholesale markets truly exceed the costs?

摘要

During the last several years, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERG) has undertaken a variety of initiatives to promote the development and implementation of regional independent transmission system operators (RTOs) and market-based mechanisms to manage congestion and promote efficiency in energy markets. There is significant support, and a growing base of data, for the proposition that truly competitive electricity markets, with transparent market pricing and congestion management functions, provide cost savings and increase the resource options (both supply and demand) for the benefit of the consumer. The proponents of RTOs and competitive markets point to PJM, NYISO and ISO New England as evidence of the economic efficiencies and grid reliability that can be gained. from application of centralized grid management measures and of loca-tional marginal pricing (LMP).