Western Energy Imbalance Market adds two new members

The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM), run by the California Independent System Operator, brought in two new members, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP).

“We are honored to welcome the Bonneville Power Administration and Tucson Electric Power to the Western Energy Imbalance Market,” California Independent System Operator (ISO) President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said. “The Federal Columbia River Power System is a vital source of clean energy that will bring significant resource diversity and transmission capability to the WEIM. And with the participation of Tucson Electric Power, we have another highly valued partner in the Desert Southwest. I am very appreciative of the hard work and focus required to meet this important milestone and look forward to delivering real economic and environmental value to BPA and TEP customers.”

WEIM is a real-time energy market that uses sophisticated technology to find the lowest-cost energy for its members. The WEIM, launched in 2014, now has 19 participants, which serve 77 percent of the demand for electricity in the Western United States.

“Joining the Western EIM is a monumental and meaningful step in the modernization of our operations that unlocks a range of benefits for Bonneville and our customers,” BPA Administrator and CEO John Hairston said. “As we explore additional market-based opportunities to maximize the value of our surplus power and the Northwest’s federal transmission system, we will ensure that they are consistent with our statutory authority and further our ability to deliver affordable, reliable energy to our customers.”

BPA and TEP come on board about one month after Avista Utilities and Tacoma Public Utilities joined. The WEIM recently reached a historic milestone, surpassing $2 billion in total benefits for its participants.

“We’re proud to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market because it provides opportunities to achieve cost savings and lower carbon emissions for our customers. We’re working toward a dramatic expansion of renewable resources, and participating in the WEIM provides another way to increase our use of wind and solar energy,” Susan Gray, president and CEO of Tucson Electric Power, said.