DER Representatives Get a Seat at the Pathways Table

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The West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative is advancing with the inclusion of representatives from the distributed energy resource (DER) sector, which encompasses technologies like rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and smart devices. Brian Turner, the Western regulatory director for Advanced Energy United, emphasized the unique role these representatives will play in shaping market participation rules, particularly as virtual power plants (VPPs) are expected to enhance grid reliability. The initiative aims to transition the governance of CAISO’s markets to an independent regional organization, a move supported by California's recent legislative actions.

As the Pathways Initiative progresses, it seeks to establish a governance structure that encourages broader participation in CAISO markets, including the upcoming Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). The initiative's stakeholder committee will consist of representatives from various sectors, including DER, large industrial customers, and customer advocates. While some utilities are reconsidering their market participation strategies in light of these developments, others, like the Bonneville Power Administration, remain committed to their existing choices, highlighting the ongoing complexities in the evolving landscape of regional electricity markets.