Market Issues Forum Notes
April 19, 2001

Current Events – Randy Abernathy

No handouts.

Market Services Organization

•	Randy started off with a review of the Market Services organization structure:
•	Market Ops – Ziad
•	Client Relations – Don and Byron
•	Settlements – Spence
•	Contracts – Debi
•	Market Quality – Nancy
•	This will provide an organization that can respond to the client’s needs
•	Org chart is posted on the web-site
•	Randy was asked about the role of Client Relations and he stated that the Client Reps present the viewpoint of their client to make sure that their views are known by ISO management

Stakeholder Process

•	Overview of the new Board and the members.  The new Board structure is posted on the ISO web-site
•	The ISO is looking at holding more regular meetings once again, probably monthly to provide general information to the public on information discussed through the board meetings

Market Advisory Group (MAG)

•	This is an independent group whose intent is to provide advice to the board on ISO Market issues
•	Not all parties have accepted their positions yet
•	Unknown whether meetings will be open or closed
•	The MAG is seen as a short term group with no specific Tariff assigned role

Posting of Real-Time Data

•	The ISO has suspended the posting of real-time data and is working with the State to determine what data will get posted and when

•	Several participants made the request that this data, specifically OOM costs, be posted by hour and region
Market Stabilization Plan

•	Mark Rothleder would be going over the general design and timeline.  The ISO recognizes the stress and the constraints that this will put on the MPs.

•	At the time of the meeting Randy stated that our intent was to have a meeting on Friday the 27th unless FERC changes our MSP substantially.

Open Discussion

•	Creditworthiness issue was discussed with the unknown being what threshold would CDWR/CERS have for backing ISO purchases
•	Question on DRP payments.  Randy stated that the payment structure looks favorable

OASIS Redesign – Karen Webber

Subject Presentation can be found at the following location:
http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/04/20/2001042011551026196.pdf

Open Discussion

Oasis Redesign Project, which will convert our present OASIS site from the original flat file format to an XML query style site, is on schedule and will hit the implementation date of 5/31/01. Note: This is a revised schedule. The original implementation date was in Feb 2001 but was postponed because of resource limitations.  The project has enjoyed an excellent exchange of information and feedback with Market Participants. Migration should be virtually seamless from the "old" Oasis site. User training is being scheduled for the last week in May. 

Questions by Market Participants:

Q1) What where the shortcomings of the old site?
A1) There were no query functions. A user had to download only what was offered in flat file format. There was no search capability. Data was downloaded in hourly basis. This download would have to happen 24 times for one-day data.  In short, changing it to user friendly from user antagonistic. (writers opinion).

Q2) Was this conversion FERC based?
A2) Yes. FERC required the OASIS site to have more functionality along with information offered in real time such as TTC data.

Q3) Will this easily be converted for MSP (Market Stabilization Plan) data?
A3) Yes

Summer 2001 Demand Programs – Don Fuller

Subject Presentation can be found at the following location:
http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/04/20/2001042012044428233.pdf

•	A summary was given of how the utility interruptible contracted loads have decreased in response to ISO calls
•	The CPUC has made a recent order to continue the participation by the utility interruptible contracted loads along with increasing demand response participation for bundled customers
•	The ISO will be filing to receive clarification on the Optional Binding Mandatory Contract participants and allowing them to participate in other incentive programs
•	CPUC decision on the three utility demand response programs raised concerns that there is overlap in the utility programs and the ISO programs.  The Voluntary Demand Response Program is very similar to the ISO Discretionary Load Curtailment Program.  Participants indicated that they would rather participate in the ISO programs due to possibility of not being paid by the utilities.  
•	There were questions on how bundled customers participate in the ISO programs when the PUC order seemed to prevent them from participating in the ISO programs.  
•	The question of how the ISO will ensure payment arose.  The response is that we have been given direction by the Board that it is our top priority that demand response programs be paid. The details of how will be worked out. 
•	An assessment for Summer 2001 was briefly given referencing the ISO 2001 Summer Assessment Report.  It was announced that the report is being updated and will be posted within a week.  A more detailed summary of the summer assessment was given and the ISO indicated that will be given at the next meeting.  
•	The role of conservation was highlighted.  It was discussed that the ISO has seen a range in load reduction of 4 to 6% so far this year.  

Market Stabilization Plan – Lorenzo Kristov, Mark Rothleder

Subject Presentation can be found at the following location:
http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/04/20/2001042012053729457.pdf
http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/04/23/200104230818222103.pdf

List of Open Issues to be addressed later:

•	How does the model accommodate energy-limited resources?
•	Segment on ETCs
•	When are instructions from ISO advisory/binding?
•	What happens when ISO over-forecasts?
•	Gas component re: dispatch DA, based on mix of forward and spot prices, structure available payments.
•	At what point is ISO precluded from obtaining energy die to high prices/creditworthiness and proceed to involuntary curtailment?
•	Clarifications on export curtailments. Export of ISO control area, how are exports on ETCs handled? What about exchanges (SDG&E)? If we curtail export, other part of exchange cut also? Are these coordinated with other control areas? Unused ETC on Path 15!

FERC Update – Steve Greenleaf

Subject Presentation can be found at the following location:
http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/04/20/2001042012051128728.pdf

Recent Schedule reductions at the ties – Ziad Alaywan

No handouts.

•	Since the PX is no longer in place, the ISO has seen very few adjustment bids.  As a result, the ISO has had to go further down the Priorities list for pro-rata cuts.  
•	The ISO has not found any software glitches.  CONG is functioning correctly. 
•	SC's are seeing cuts that they aren't used to seeing.  If there are specific situations, SC's should contact the ISO (Mark Rothleder)