Showing papers by "Robert J. Thomas published in 1997"

Underlying technical issues in electricity deregulation

Abstract: This paper reports on the results of an attempt by the Power Systems Engineering Research Center (Pserc) and EPRI to determine the technical tools missing in currently unfolding electric power restructuring scenarios. Needed tools have been divided into the functional categories of generation, transmission and distribution. In each category, there seems to be a common need to interface existing technical tools with the new economic unbundling.

Power system bidding tournaments for a deregulated environment

Abstract: We describe certain tools for understanding and operating power systems in a deregulated environment. Many of the current models for this competitive market that employ an independent system operator (ISO) for controlling transmission, ensuring fair access and security, and providing a spot market for power are studied. This centrally dispatched power pool also ensures that generation meets demand based on bids submitted daily from independent generators (and from customers offering interruptible loads). Currently, most ISO bidding models allow only a single bid per day. We present an asynchronous bidding scheme as a possible alternative. In particular, we examine the effects of including a feedback mechanism such that upon receiving generation levels from the ISO, independent generators (IGs) be allowed to modify their bid if they so desire. This competitive or 'sequential' bidding process should be allowed to take place each day for a predetermined period of time; in this way, IGs will have a chance to compete and hopefully optimize their profit margins. The paper also discusses the development tools necessary for examining the effects of different bidding processes on the ISO model and evaluating their capability of driving the market to an efficient state of operation.

Introduction to the Minitrack on Restructuring the Electric Power Industry: Emerging Issues, Methods and Tools

Abstract: The past several years have seen marked changes in the institutional structures of the electric power industry in many countries. In most cases the driving forces for change have come from the governments. Often the objective is to introduce more competition and to increase private sector ownership of the electric supply industry. The overall aim regardless of the drivers, is to reduce the price of electricity and increase customer responsiveness by methods other than direct regulation.Primary examples of institutional change include unbundling of services and equipment, the introduction of non-utility or third party generation, proposals for and implementation of new bidding or auction arrangements for pricing electricity and corporatisation, among others. In most cases each element includes ownership changes, a competitive market with new procedures and a re-vamping of the regulatory process. Each of these elements has and will continue to have its own impact on the planning, operation, cost and reliability of power systems.This minitrack is especially interested in identifying the effects and impacts of institutional change (proposed or in place). It is especially interested in new tools and methodology, that is, the technical underpinnings needed to transition the system from the old to the new. Therefore, papers on topics related to the affected elements of restructuring of an electric power industry were of special interest.There are thirty-six papers in eight sessions covering two days in this minitrack. The papers span a range of restructuring issues from institutional to technical and from policy to economics. Three years ago when this minitrack began the first paper described four possible scenarios for future systems and made the point that the future US electric power system may contain versions of all of them and not just one. It also laid the foundation for technical work that will need to be done to see these scenarios emerge in an orderly fashion.This year ten papers deal with various elements of these technical issues and ten deal with policy matters. The remaining sisteen papers bridge technical and institutional issues that arise as a result of system restructuring.The focus of papers accepted for this minitrack is on a cross-disciplinary look at a variety of issues associated with the worldwide movement to restructure electric power systems. The topic is timely and broad and will continue to be researched and debated in the coming years.