Forward Capacity Market (FCM) Information Request Responses
NOTICE: The ISO is providing these responses to questions submitted by stakeholders in order to help all stakeholders better understand and participate in the Forward Capacity Market. In many cases, these questions and responses address details of the Forward Capacity Market that are still in development. While the responses provided here represent the ISO's current intention about the market design, in many cases the design is not final and is not yet codified in rules, manuals, or procedures. Some design elements and the underlying assumptions may change after the posting of these responses. The ISO will endeavor to inform stakeholders of such changes, and urges interested parties to participate in the stakeholder processes.
The ISO's administration of the Forward Capacity Market is governed solely by the ISO New England Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff (the "Tariff"). The responses provided here do not address all of the issues and requirements associated with participation in the Forward Capacity Market, and are not a substitute for the Tariff. Any party considering participation in the Forward Capacity Market should carefully review the relevant portions of the Tariff, including changes as and when they are filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Question #1

What are the options for shedding an obligation won in the FCA?

How will settlements reflect the shedding of an obligation under these options?

A Capacity Supply Obligation that is obtained through an FCA (except for an obligation associated with self-supply) can be shed through the following mechanisms:

Annual Reconfiguration Auctions - the Capacity Supply Obligation ("CSO") can be shed through a demand bid in the annual reconfiguration auctions conducted prior to the Commitment Period. Shedding a CSO in an annual reconfiguration auction will result in the obligation being shed for the entire Commitment Period associated with the auction. If the annual reconfiguration auction is not held (no supply offers) or it does not clear (the demand and supply curves do not intersect), the obligation will not be shed. It is important to note that: i) CSOs associated with a resource or a portion of a resource designated as self-supply and CSOs associated with Real-Time Emergency Generation Resources can not be shed through an annual reconfiguration auction.

Seasonal Reconfiguration Auctions - the CSO can be shed through a demand bid in either of the seasonal reconfiguration auctions conducted prior to the Commitment Period. Shedding a CSO in a seasonal reconfiguration auction will result in the obligation being shed for the entire seasonal period (June through September or October through May) associated with the auction. The same restrictions on self-supply and Real-Time Emergency Generation Resources described above for annual reconfiguration auctions apply to seasonal reconfiguration auctions.

Monthly Reconfiguration Auctions - the CSO can be shed through a demand bid in any of the twelve monthly reconfiguration auctions conducted during the Commitment Period. Shedding a CSO in a monthly reconfiguration auction will result in the obligation being shed for the entire month associated with the auction. The same restrictions on self-supply, and Real-Time Emergency Generation Resources described above for annual reconfiguration auctions apply to seasonal reconfiguration auctions.

Capacity Supply Obligation Bilaterals - the CSO can be transferred to a qualified resource without an obligation (or portion of the resource without an obligation) through a Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral prior to, or during, the Commitment Period. These bilaterals must be submitted during specified submittal windows and must have a minimum duration of one month and a maximum duration of one year. A CSO associated with self-supply may not be transferred via a Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral. In addition, Real-Time Emergency Generation Resources may only transfer CSOs to other Real-Time Emergency Generation Resources.

In the case of the annual, seasonal, and monthly reconfiguration auctions, the ISO will reflect the shedding of the CSO by charging the entity shedding the obligation the applicable reconfiguration auction clearing price and crediting the entity assuming the obligation with this same clearing price. To the extent this price is different from the aggregate price at which the obligation is acquired, an additional payment or charge may be due.

In the case of Capacity Supply Obligation Bilaterals, the ISO is currently assessing the options for determining the price to be applied to the bilateral transaction. Options under consideration include allowing the parties to apply a price to the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral in $/kW-month or applying a clearing price from a specified auction.

Question #2

Detail regarding Shortage Event "Availability": In the following scenarios, what degree of availability will be attributed to the "listed" capacity of a combined cycle facility for FCM Shortage Event purposes?

If a combined cycle generator is only 95% listed (5% de-listed) and bids 100% of its full capability into the Day Ahead Energy Market (DAEM) and the Real Time Energy Market (RTEM), but is subsequently de-rated to 95% in real time (perhaps ambient air temperature related), will the derate first be applied to the de-listed MWs for purposes of the Shortage Event mechanism (i.e., will the ISO credit the "listed" MWs as 100% available for Shortage Event purposes in this scenario)? If no, please explain the method and rationale.

If a combined cycle generator is only 95% listed (5% de-listed) and bids 95% (listed portion only) of its full capability into the DAEM and RTEM, self-schedules the additional 5% (de-listed) in the RTEM, and then is subsequently de-rated to 95% in real time (perhaps ambient air temperature related), will the de-rate first be applied to the de-listed MWs for purposes of the Shortage Event mechanism (i.e., will the ISO credit the "listed" MWs as 100% available for Shortage Event purposes in this scenario)? If no, please explain the method and rationale.

Please note that the response below is not specific to a combined cycle resource but applies equally to other resources.

Assuming that there are no non-recallable external sales involved, the answer in both scenarios is yes. A de-rate is reflected in the ISO's systems as a reduction in the maximum output, or Economic Maximum Limit, that a resource can provide. Availability is calculated based on a number of inputs, but a 100 MW generating capacity resource with a 95 MW capacity supply obligation that otherwise meets the requirements of market rule section III.13.7.1.1.3 and is on-line with an Economic Maximum Limit of 95 MW is fully available.

The outcome could change where non-recallable sales are involved. Non-recallable sales are curtailed or allowed to flow based on several criteria. To the extent that a non-recallable sale continues to flow and the resource, as a result of a de-rate, is not capable of providing sufficient energy to meet both its FCM Capacity Supply Obligation and the energy requirements of the non-recallable sale, the shortfall will be considered an inability to meet its FCM capacity supply obligation for purposes of the Shortage Event mechanism.

Question #3

Absence of ancillary service obligations: What will be the full extent of requirements (if any) on bidding of unit characteristics for the portion of a combined cycle generator sold as capacity in the Forward Capacity Market? While we understand that the Settlement Agreement provision at Article IV.A.3 requires that the resource can fulfill its as-bid unit characteristics (i.e., unit characteristics must be updated in real time to avoid overstating a resource's capability), it is our understanding that no specific extent of ramping capability will be required of a "listed" resource. Please confirm this understanding, or, if the ISO believes that this aspect of market rule detail (in the FCM period) will differ from our understanding, please explain that detail. Since there can be costs/risks involved in the provision of a premium energy option (faster ramp rates), this level of information is needed in advance of the FCA.

Manual Ramp Rate (de-listed MWs) - Under the existing NX-12 form (OP14), generators provide a single manual ramp rate reflecting the average ramp rate over the full dispatch range and all MWs (listed and de-listed alike) are required to offer into the real time energy market. Under FCM, de-listed MWs will be under no obligations in the day ahead or real time energy market. Will resource owners be provided the opportunity to submit separate ramp rates for the de-listed portion of their unit?

Section III.13.6.1.1.2 of the Tariff states that "Day-Ahead Energy Market and Real-Time Energy Market offers for the listed portion of a resource must reflect the then-known unit-specific operating characteristics." The ISO is in the process of developing a list of offer data parameters that must be based on physical capability and the markets and services that each parameter is associated with. The ISO will consult with stakeholders regarding this information when appropriate.

At this time, the ISO expects that a resource's Manual Response Rate will be among those characteristics that must be based on the resource's physical capability. The Manual Response Rate parameter is a significant input to determination of the resource's Day-Ahead Energy Market schedules and its physical ability to respond to the ISO's commitment and dispatch instructions in Real-Time.

A resource will be able to offer multiple manual response rates applicable to different ranges of its output, but each must be based on the resource's physical capability.

Where the de-listed portion of a resource (that is, the portion of a resource not having a Capacity Supply Obligation in the Forward Capacity Market) elects to participate in the Day-Ahead Energy Market, it is also required pursuant to Section III.13.6.2.1.1.1 to offer based on its physical capability.

Question #4

Clarification of Cold Weather Event procedures under the Forward Capacity Market: The FCM Settlement Agreement calls for earlier bid submittal and issuance of Day Ahead Energy Market (DAEM) results on each day in the months of December, January and February as well as a new procurement of 1000MWs of supplemental gas-only resource reserves (including a make whole provision for the cost of resale of unused gas for such reserves) in certain periods.

In the months of December, January and February, we understand that the Re-Offer Period will open at 10:30am. Will the Re-Offer period remain open through the current ending date (longer Re-Offer window)?

How will the "financially binding" nature of the 1000MWs of supplemental gas-only generator reserves scheduled by ISO in certain cold weather periods be reflected in the market system? Since it is limited to gas-only resources, it appears that this cannot be purchased in the DAEM.

The FCM Settlement Agreement calls for gas-fired units to provide some evidence of sufficient gas nomination on Cold Weather Event days. What form of "evidence" will be required, in what form and by what time of day?

The ISO has been focusing its resources on the implementation of the FCM and has not yet evaluated the implementation of Section VII of the Settlement Agreement and the associated impacts on processes and procedures. This process will not begin until sometime after the first Forward Capacity Auction has been conducted. Details regarding the implementation of Section VII will be developed in conjunction with market participants through the stakeholder process, probably initially through a dedicated working group. Details regarding gas availability, adjustments to bid and offer deadlines, the procurement of supplemental reserves, and the other provisions outlined in Section VII of the Settlement Agreement will be released as they become available.

Question #5

Participation of De-Listed MWs in the Real Time Energy Market (RTEM): The Settlement Agreement at Article IV.B.4 indicates that de-listed resources not offered and "accepted" in the DAEM must be self-scheduled to participate in the RTEM.

- Does "accepted" mean the de-listed MWs were offered into the DAEM regardless of whether any of the MWs of the unit (including the "listed" portion) were scheduled in the DAEM? If not, please explain how RTEM participation by de-listed MWs will be permitted where:

  1. Generation equal to 100% of a unit (which is only 50% listed) is offered into the DAEM and there is no DAEM schedule for the unit. Can the de-listed MWs be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are the de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.
  2. Generation equal to 100% of a unit (which is only 50% listed) is offered into the DAEM and 50% of the unit is scheduled as energy in some, but not all hours of the DAEM. Can the de-listed MWs be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are the de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.
  3. Generation equal to 100% of a unit (which is only 50% listed)is offered into the DAEM and 50% of the unit is scheduled as energy in all hours of the DAEM. Can the de-listed MWs be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are the de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.
  4. Generation equal to 80% of a unit (which is only 50% listed) is offered into the DAEM and there is no DAEM schedule for the unit. Can the de-listed MWs offered into the DAEM (30% of unit) be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are those de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.
  5. Generation equal to 80% of a unit (which is only 50% listed) is offered into the DAEM and 50% of the unit is scheduled as energy in some, but not all hours of the DAEM. Can the de-listed MWs offered into the DAEM (30% of unit) be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are those de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.
  6. Generation equal to 80% of a unit (which is only 50% listed) is offered into the DAEM and 50% of the unit scheduled as energy in all hours of the DAEM. Can the de-listed MWs offered into the DAEM (30% of unit) be bid into the RTEM in all hours? If not, are those de-listed MWs limited to self-scheduling into the RTEM.

- If de-listed MWs were either not offered in a DAEM bid or the term "accepted" is interpreted to require the MWs to "clear" in the DAEM (in at least one of the 24 hours), the associated generation not "bid" or "not cleared" in the DAEM must be self-scheduled into the RTEM in order to sell into the RTEM. Will the NCPC uplift rules will be changed to assure that such a self-schedule of de-listed MWs in the RTEM will not compromise the receipt of NCPC payments for ISO-scheduled MWs (listed or de-listed)? (see note 1)

Note 1 - Under current market rules in which combined cycle resources are not penalized for ambient temperature derates in the UCAP market and all MWs must be offered into the RTEM, the self-schedule of generation in an hour renders the entire resource ineligible for uplift in that hour. Under FCM, combined cycle generators are left to manage their Shortage Event penalty risk by de-listing MWs potentially unavailable due to ambient temperature derates and, once de-listed, the resource owner will be required to self-schedule (at least in some circumstances) in order for those de-listed MWs to participate in the RTEM. If the requirement that such MWs need to be self-scheduled into the RTEM is coupled with the consequence of that self-schedule implementation compromising the resource's NCPC uplift eligibility for the ISO-scheduled MWs, this would appear to hamper the ability of a combined cycle resource owner to mitigate its Shortage Event penalty risk (by de-listing MWs subject to ambient temperature derates).

"Accepted" in this context means the de-listed capacity clears and receives a schedule at some level in one or more hours resulting from the Day-Ahead Energy Market clearing process.

Pursuant to Part IV.B.4 of the Settlement Agreement and Section III.13.6.2.1.1.2 of the Tariff, de-listed capacity that is not offered in the Day Ahead Energy Market or that is offered in the Day-Ahead Energy Market but not accepted must be self-scheduled in order to participate in the Real-Time Energy Market. This requirement currently applies in the same manner whether the de-listed capacity is associated with a fully or partially de-listed resource. However, the ISO will in the near future propose to stakeholders a change in this treatment with respect to partially de-listed resources.

Specifically, where de-listed capacity from a partially de-listed resource is offered in the Day-Ahead Energy Market but not accepted, the ISO will propose that the day-ahead offer be carried forward into the Real-Time Energy Market, subject to re-offer period modifications and redeclarations. The resource may choose to make additional MW above its offer level available to the ISO for economic dispatch.

Under the proposed revisions, if a partially de-listed resource chooses to offer some or all of its de-listed capacity in the Day-Ahead Energy Market, that offer will be carried forward to the Real-Time Energy Market, obviating the need to self-schedule in order to run in real-time. This arrangement would likely also require the resource to provide a physical reason in order to redeclare the resource down in real time.

Each of the six examples presented describes a resource that has a Capacity Supply Obligation for less than 100 percent of its capability (that is, a resource that is partially de-listed). The response is the same with respect to each of the circumstances described. Under the current rules, the de-listed capacity offered in the Day-Ahead Energy Market but not accepted would be limited to self-scheduling in the Real-Time Energy Market. However, as described above, the ISO will soon be proposing a change to the rules such that the de-listed capacity from a partially de-listed resource that is offered in the Day-Ahead Energy Market but not accepted can be bid into the Real-Time Energy Market in all hours without being limited to self-scheduling. Specifically, in such a case, the Day-Ahead Energy Market Supply Offer will be carried forward into the Real-Time Energy Market, subject to re-offer period modifications and redeclarations.

Under the rules to be proposed by the ISO, a resource with no Capacity Supply Obligation (fully de-listed) that offers and is accepted in the Day-Ahead Energy Market will have the opportunity, via the re-offer and redeclaration processes, to make additional MW above the day-ahead offered level available to the ISO for economic dispatch. A resource with no Capacity Supply Obligation that offers in the Day-Ahead Energy Market but is not accepted and that elects to self-schedule in the Real-Time Energy Market will have the opportunity, via the re-offer and redeclaration processes, to make additional MW above the self-scheduled level available to the ISO for economic dispatch. The same would be true for a resource with a Capacity Supply Obligation less than its full capability (partially de-listed). As described above, the ISO will soon propose rule changes that would require that a partially de-listed resource's Day-Ahead Energy Market supply offer be carried forward to the Real-Time Energy Market, regardless of whether it is accepted in the Day-Ahead Energy Market. Such a resource also would have the opportunity, via the re-offer and redeclaration processes, to make additional MW (above those included in its Day-Ahead Energy Market supply offer) available to the ISO for economic dispatch in real time.

Please note that the NCPC rules are currently undergoing an evaluation to assess whether conforming changes are required. The provisions described above and any identified changes to NCPC rules will be proposed via the stakeholder process.

Question #6

Extent of ancillary service obligations arising from a sale of capacity: What is the full extent of unit operation performance (i.e., unit characteristics) that must be provided by a generator if sold as capacity in the FCM? Specifically, what operating characteristics must be provided by a generator sold as capacity? Section III.13.6.1.1.2 of Market Rule 1 states, "Day Ahead and Real-Time offers for the listed portion of a Resource must reflect the then known unit-specific operating characteristics (taking into account, among other things, the physical design characteristics of the unit) consistent with good utility practice." Is this requiring generators to bid into all markets that they can participate in? For example, if a unit is capable of regulation, must it submit a supply offer for regulation? Which unit characteristics will be considered in evaluating Day-Ahead and Real-Time energy offers, and how will certain unit characteristics affect units' capacity market payments? During the Transition Period, Article III.8.3 describes the obligations of generating resources, which do not include any obligations related to operating characteristics. Will, and if so how will, the requirements of generators change in the Forward Capacity Auction relative to the Transition Period

Section III.13.6.1.1.1 of the ISO New England Transmission, Markets and Services Tariff ("Tariff") requires that, upon commencement of the first Capacity Commitment Period (June 1, 2010), the listed portion of a resource (that is, the portion of a resource having a Capacity Supply Obligation in the Forward Capacity Market) be offered into both the Day-Ahead Energy Market and the Real-Time Energy Market whenever and to the extent it is physically available (e.g., not on a forced or scheduled outage). Such a resource is required to follow the ISO's commitment and dispatch instructions.

Other than the Day-Ahead and Real-Time Energy Market requirements mentioned above, a Capacity Supply Obligation in the Forward Capacity Market does not require a resource to participate in other markets or to provide other services.

For the portion of a resource that does not have a Capacity Supply Obligation, the Forward Capacity Market rules do not require participation in any markets (including the Day-Ahead and Real-Time Energy Markets) or provision of any services. Where a resource is required or elects to participate in any market or to provide any service, all rules applicable to participation in that market or to provision of that service apply equally regardless of whether the participation is required or voluntary.

Section III.13.6.1.1.2 of the Tariff states that "Day-Ahead Energy Market and Real-Time Energy Market offers for the listed portion of a resource must reflect the then-known unit-specific operating characteristics." The ISO is in the process of developing a list of offer data parameters that must be based on physical capability and the markets and services that each parameter is associated with. The ISO will consult with stakeholders regarding this information when appropriate. Please see the response to Question 3 above for a discussion of one specific parameter.

Resource characteristics themselves do not affect Forward Capacity Market payments. However, to the extent the unit characteristics are such that they allow participation in other markets, there are provisions for the netting of payments received from participation in certain markets that will impact total revenues from all market participation (see ISO New England white papers "Interaction of FCM and VAR Capacity Payments" and "Proposed FCM Conforming Changes to the Forward Reserve Market").

Question #7

The memo indicates that a whitepaper will be issued explaining interactions between FCM and LFRM. Please include answers to the following questions either in the whitepaper or otherwise in advance of the FCA.

Will the LFRM continue to require that eligible LFRM supply must be "listed" capacity? If no, then would the LFRM payments no longer be "netted" by capacity market revenues?

If LFRM supply still requires "listing" as capacity, would "netting" be the LFRM clearing price (before LFRM penalties) "net" of net FCM payments (i.e., after FCM Shortage Event penalty (if applicable) and PER deduction)? If not, how does the ISO propose to avoid "double penalty" for the same event (note: both the LFRM Failure to Reserve and the FCM Shortage Event penalty far exceed the hourly pro-rata price for the respective service).

This issue is addressed in the ISO white paper "Proposed FCM Conforming Changes to the Forward Reserve Market."

Question #8

Will Market Participants receive a break out of new generating capacity similar to the information that has been provided regarding existing generation, imports and de-list bids?

Yes, this information is in the November 6, 2007 informational filing made pursuant to Section III.13.8.1 of the FCM rules.

Question #9

Will Market Participants be told which qualified new generation projects, if any, have chosen to be treated as existing generation for the 2010-2011 FCA and subsequent FCAs?

No. That information will not be made available to Market Participants.

Question #10

Will Market Participants be told which qualified new generation projects, if any, have elected to receive the Capacity Clearing Price for up to four additional and consecutive capacity commitment periods? When would Market Participants receive this information?

No. That information will not be made available to Market Participants.

Question #11

Given that an existing unit that submits dynamic de-list bids in the FCA cannot de-list below its ecomin, is it still possible for a dynamic de-list bid to be rejected for reliability reasons associated with local second contingency protection or local voltage support?

A Dynamic De-List Bid from an existing resource may be rejected for reliability reasons, even though such a resource may not de-list below its Economic Minimum Limit (except where the amount of capacity offered is zero). Pursuant to Section III.13.2.3.2(d), "All Dynamic De-List Bids are subject to a reliability review as described in Section III.13.2.5.2.5..." Section III.13.2.5.2.5, in turn, states that "capacity shall be deemed needed for reliability reasons if the absence of the capacity would result in the violation of any NERC or NPCC (or their successors) criteria, or ISO New England System Rules." Pursuant to NERC and NPCC criteria, and Section 6 of Planning Procedure 10, the ISO can deny a de-list bid due to Local Second Contingency Protection or local voltage support requirements for resources connected to the ISO-NE administered bulk power system.

Please also note that while Section III.13.2.3.2 provides that a resource may not partially de-list below its Economic Minimum Limit, the Economic Minimum Limit of the resource may not provide sufficient capability to meet NERC or NPCC requirements. If that is the case, the de-list bid could be rejected pursuant to Section III.13.2.5.2.5.

Question #12

Will Market Participants know before the FCA the total amount of new generation that has asked the ISO to offer below .75*CONE? Will Market Participants know how many (MWs) of these requests were granted or denied?

Yes, to both questions. This information is in the November 6, 2007 informational filing made pursuant to Section III.13.8.1 of the FCM rules.

Question #13

The market rules state in Section 13.2.3.4 that the final set of Capacity Zones will not include any zone modeled for purposes of clearing a quantity of import offers greater than relevant interface capacity limit. Does this mean that even with price separation, imports will not be a separate capacity zone in future reconfiguration auctions? Further, can imports participate in reconfiguration auctions and bilateral agreements as long as they can prove they have transmission access?

As described in Sections III.13.2.3.4 and III.13.4.1, even if imports are treated (pursuant to Section III.13.2.3.3(d)) as a separate export-constrained capacity zone in the Forward Capacity Auction, and even if that zone experiences price separation, that zone will not be carried forward and will not be included in reconfiguration auctions associated with the same Capacity Commitment Period.

Regarding the ability of imports to participate in reconfiguration auctions and bilateral transactions, imports will be able to participate in both reconfiguration auctions and bilateral transactions with different mechanisms for each to grant transmission access. Transmission access will be granted to imports in reconfiguration auctions to the extent that the interface isn't fully subscribed based on price (similar to the FCA). For bilateral transactions, access to the interface will be granted to the extent that the interface is not fully subscribed at the time the bilateral is submitted based on a first-come first-served methodology until the interface is fully subscribed.

Question #15

What sort of metrics will be used to determine the acceleration of the Annual Reconfiguration Auction as described in Section 13.4.5.2?

Given the frequency of FCM auctions, the tight timelines required to implement them, and the current level of qualified FCM resources participating in the Forward Capacity Market auctions, the ISO anticipates that the provisions in III.13.4.5.2 will be triggered rarely, if ever. The ISO has evaluated this section of the rule and expects that any triggers of this acceleration provision would not be the result of the routine procurement process, but would likely only result from catastrophic and unpredictable events.

The ISO anticipates that its response to such events generally, and the implementation of this rule provision specifically, would require a unique and targeted procurement strategy. The ISO recognizes that significant tradeoffs may exist between an accelerated auction process and the potential negative impact on participation by market participants intending to qualify and participate in a routinely-scheduled FCM auction rather than an accelerated auction. The ISO will provide notice to participants of any changes in qualification and auction schedules as soon as they become available.

Question #16

In the FERC filing summary on the design of the bilateral capacity markets the ISO states "financial exchange may occur between parties outside the ISO settlement or the exchange may be settled through the ISO settlement if priced bilateral functionality is offered." What does priced bilateral functionality mean? Will it be offered in the 2010-2011 FCA and beyond?

Priced bilateral functionality means that the parties submitting the bilateral transaction to the ISO can specify a price at which the transaction should be settled in the ISO's systems, similar to a clearing house. Otherwise, the ISO would have to either price the transaction at $0/KW-month or tie the transaction to an auction clearing price. The example included in the response to question 17 illustrates this process. The details associated with these transactions will be defined in Manual 20, after the first FCA. However, given the importance of bilateral transactions to the market, ISO is focusing resources on this issue now, and hopes to provide the Markets Committee with, at least, a high level overview of bilateral transactions in FCM in the first quarter of 2008.

Question #17

Section 13.7.2.1.1 language states that the capacity resources will receive or make payments monthly during the commitment period based on the submitted IBT price and the amount of obligation transferred. Pursuant to this section, assume that for a supply obligation, the transferring participant just sold its capacity obligation to the qualified capacity participant and that they will then pay the qualified capacity participant to take this obligation. Does this mean that the qualified capacity participant will receive this fixed price with no adjustments? Is it at all possible for the ISO bilateral system to have the following set-up:

The Acquiring Participant pays Transferring Participant to take on a capacity supply obligation. The Acquiring Participant can then receive the monthly adjusted FCA price, while the Transferring participant will receive the fixed price?

While the design of this functionality has not been finalized, the ISO can provide some preliminary basic design elements. Assuming that the proposed scenario applies to Capacity Supply Obligation Bilaterals only, the Transferring Resource is shedding its Capacity Supply Obligation and the Qualified Capacity Resource is assuming this Capacity Supply Obligation at a specified price. In the ISO's settlement systems, the Transferring Resource selling its Capacity Supply Obligation will be debited with the product of the Capacity Supply Obligation being shed and the specified transaction price and the Qualified Capacity Resource will be paid this same rate. For example, suppose Resource A has a Capacity Supply Obligation of 50MW that it wants to shed to Resource B through a bilateral transaction. Resource A would submit the transaction to the ISO indicating that it wants to shed 50MW of obligation to Resource B at $5/kW-month. When the bilateral transaction is settled as part of the overall market settlement at the end of the month, Resource A (Transferring Resource) will be debited with 50,000kW x $5/kW-month = $250,000 and Resource B (Qualified Capacity Resource) will be credited with 50,000kW x $5/kW-month = $250,000. Assuming Resource B has no other activity in the month other than this bilateral transaction for 50MW, Resource B will receive the $250,000 for its obligation minus PER and any availability adjustments. So the transaction works essentially as described in the question - the selling resource receives the fixed transaction price while the acquiring resource receives that price, adjusted for PER and availability. However, if the fixed price at which the transaction is denominated is different from the price at which the obligation was required, that difference will result in an additional credit or charge. Any agreement between the parties to address the responsibility for availability adjustments and PER must be handled outside of the ISO Settlement System.

Question #19

If the setup in question #17 above is not feasible, will the ISO use the bilateral contract price for the net forward reserve payment? What happens if the acquiring unit is a forward reserve unit and has paid to take on an obligation?

This issue is addressed in the ISO white paper "Proposed FCM Conforming Changes to the Forward Reserve Market."

Question #21

The ISO's filing of FCM-related Market Rule 1 revisions included a discussion regarding the need to finalize the electrical location of all the nodes in ISO-NE. Should market participants assume that the current pnode table is what the ISO has used for the FCA? What happens, if anything, when transmission upgrades/issues require an alteration of the electrical location of units or load inside of a commitment period?

The Capacity Zone location of a resource is established before the FCA is conducted. If a resource receives a Capacity Supply Obligation in the FCA, the Capacity Zone location for that resource will not change (with respect to that Capacity Supply Obligation) for duration of the associated Capacity Commitment Period. If for any reason, during a Capacity Commitment Period, a resource's location changes to another Capacity Zone, then for the remainder of that Capacity Commitment Period, the resource would continue to be considered in its original Capacity Zone location for purposes of FCM compensation (so long as it did not transfer that obligation in some manner to another resource). Should the resource be a new resource that has elected to have a multiyear Capacity Supply Obligation, then the same rule would apply. The resource with the multiyear Capacity Supply Obligation would continue to be considered in its original Capacity Zone location for purposes of FCM compensation until the period of its obligation ended (so long as it did not transfer the obligation in some manner to another resource).

If for any reason a resource's location changes to another Capacity Zone, that change will apply only to subsequent FCAs and the associated subsequent Capacity Commitment Periods.

Question #22

Which capacity price will the forward reserve units have netted against their forward reserve payments? Will the ISO be tracking it on a unit and auction specific basis (i.e., the unit is getting paid in a reconfig auction, thus that reconfig price is used)?

This issue is addressed in the ISO white paper "Proposed FCM Conforming Changes to the Forward Reserve Market."

Question #23

Please provide more detail on the interaction between FCM and VAR payments and how the new structure will work. Specifically:

  • Would the allocation of VAR payments to load change?
  • Is there double counting of capacity between FCM and VAR?

The FCM / VAR proposal, set forth in the ISO white paper "Interaction of FCM and VAR Capacity Payments" makes no changes to how VAR costs are allocated to load. There will be no double counting of capacity between FCM and VAR. In fact, a primary objective of the ISO's FCM / VAR proposal, as described in the white paper is to ensure there is no double compensation of VAR capability.

Question #24

Please provide more detail on the interaction between FCM and LFRM. Specifically;

  • Is it necessary to be a Capacity Resource to participate in the FRM?
  • Given that DARD's are not defined in the FCM rules, what will their role be in the FRM?
  • What would the rights and obligations be of such resources?
  • Will the FRM Cap change?
  • Will the Penalty structure change?
  • Will the method of allocating cost to LSE change?

These questions are, for the most part, addressed in the FCM / FRM white paper "Proposed Conforming Changes to the Forward Reserve Market," with two exceptions: First, DARDs thought not explicitly addressed in the white paper, will be able to participate in the FRM after conforming market rule changes have been made. Second, a review of FRM penalty structures will be addressed in a separate communication to the Markets Committee once the ISO has developed a position on the need (or lack thereof) for any changes.

Question #26

Have changes been made to the Reconfiguration Auctions to account for different zones? For example if there is a zone in the FCA (meaning LSR > Installed Capacity) but during the FCA no price separation occurs, then according to the Market Rule the Reconfiguration Auctions will have no zones. This is problem because of the "Quantity Rule". The ISO is deferring the buying of capacity till a Reconfiguration Auction. But if the Reconfiguration Auction has no zonal component (but it was determined that the zone is deficient prior to the FCA), how will the ISO procure the capacity in the zone if the zone doesn't exist in the Reconfiguration Auction? This is important for Market Participants to understand because it will drive how Capacity is going to be charged to LSEs, through the FCA and the Reconfiguration Auctions (Annual, Seasonal, and Monthly).

At this time, no changes have been made to the reconfiguration auctions. Recognizing the requirements of the Settlement Agreement, the ISO is considering whether and how to address this issue as the details of the reconfiguration auctions are developed and incorporated into the market rules. A solution being considered is to allow a capacity zone to persist into the reconfiguration auctions where the quantity rule applies to defer the purchase of capacity in that zone. The ISO will consult with stakeholders to obtain input on this or any other possible market rule revisions.

Question #27

Please explain how individual demand resource points or sites will be registered and assigned obligations versus the "portfolio" that is our qualified demand resource asset as defined in our qualification package. Will penalties be assigned only to the asset (the portfolio), or will the ISO also be keeping track of individual sites as well?

A Project Sponsor can register a Demand Resource asset in a variety of ways: a single Demand Resource asset can represent an individual site, or a group or portfolio of sites. In either case, the asset must meet certain requirements (e.g., the asset must be one Demand Resource type, must have a Demand Reduction Value of at least 100 kW, and must be located within a single load zone. If the Demand Resource asset represents a portfolio of sites, the asset's performance (for purposes of calculating capacity payments and/or penalties) will be evaluated at the portfolio level. It will be the responsibility of the Project Sponsor to collect and maintain data on the individual resources making up the portfolio in a manner consistent with their approved M&V plan.

A Project Sponsor will have the ability to aggregate one or more Demand Resource assets to satisfy a FCM capacity obligation.

Question #28

For 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, if I have new Demand Resources that go into commercial operation that do not have a FCA obligation, will I effectively be able to shave off my UCAP obligations to realize the benefits of using my Demand Resources to self supply as described in Section III.13.1.6 of Market Rule 1? Do the demand resources need to be in commercial operation in time to curtail demand on the hour of coincident annual peak in 2009 in order for us to realize cost savings as a load serving entity?

With respect to the first question the answer is yes, though the overall benefit that will be experienced will depend on whether the Demand Resources are installed on customer facilities with interval meters.

With respect the second question the answer is yes, assuming that you are only referring to savings of capacity costs for 2010 and beyond; energy cost savings produced by demand curtailed in 2009 would be realized in 2009. It is important to note that cost allocation is based on the load distribution at the time of the system peak from the prior year Therefore, cost allocation for FCM year 1 (Jun 10 through May 11) will be based on system peak distribution from summer 2009.

Question #30

Given a New Resource that expects not to be available for the start of a Capacity Commitment Period for which it has a Capacity Supply Obligation. Is it true that its Capacity Supply Obligation cannot be replaced with a Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral and that the New Resource would be forced into the annual reconfiguration auction rather than the monthly reconfiguration auction?

Section III.13.3.4 of Market Rule 1 addresses the issue of a New Resource that will not achieve Commercial Operation prior to the start date of a Capacity Commitment Period for which it has a Capacity Supply Obligation. Once the Commercial Operation milestone date in the Critical Path Schedule slips to a date after the start of the Capacity Commitment Period, the project sponsor is required to cover the New Resource's Capacity Supply Obligation via bilateral contract or via the next and any subsequent annual reconfiguration auctions. The option of covering the Capacity Supply Obligation via bilateral contract may be utilized to cover up to a two year delay in the Commercial Operation date of the New Resource. The New Resource is only obligated to enter into the annual reconfiguration auction(s) to the extent that it does not cover its full Capacity Supply Obligation via bilateral contracts.

Question #31

If a New Resource has been qualified for an upcoming FCA and the Resource does not clear in that auction, does it remain qualified for that commitment period for reconfiguration auction and bilateral contracting (capacity supply obligation bilaterals) purposes?

For a New Resource that is qualified but does not clear in an FCA, there are several steps following the FCA qualification process that must be followed to determine qualification for subsequent bilateral trading of Capacity Supply Obligations or reconfiguration auction participation relating to the Capacity Commitment Period covered by that Forward Capacity Auction:

Participation in Reconfiguration Auctions

Section III.13.3.1.2 provides for a New Resource that does not clear in an FCA to request continuation of monitoring of its Critical Path Schedule. Section III.13.4.2.1.1 deals specifically with the requirements for Capacity qualified in a previous qualification process to participate in a reconfiguration auction and is included verbatim below.

III.13.4.2.1.1 Capacity Qualified in a Previous Qualification Process.

III.13.4.2.1.1.1 Resources that have Achieved Commercial Operation.

  1. To submit a supply offer in an annual reconfiguration auction, a resource that has achieved Commercial Operation by the first Business Day in August prior to the reconfiguration auction and that has capacity that: (i) has been qualified through a Forward Capacity Auction qualification process as described in Section III.13.1 or through the qualification process for a previous annual reconfiguration auction as described in this Section III.13.4.2; and (ii) is not already obligated for the Capacity Commitment Period associated with that reconfiguration auction, may offer such capacity by submitting a supply offer by the reconfiguration auction offer and bid deadline, which will be announced by the ISO no later than the February 1 prior to the auction.
  2. To submit a supply offer in a seasonal or monthly reconfiguration auction, a resource that has achieved Commercial Operation no later than one week prior to the reconfiguration auction and that has capacity that: (i) has been qualified through a Forward Capacity Auction qualification process as described in Section III.13.1 or through the qualification process for a previous annual reconfiguration auction as described in this Section III.13.4.2; and (ii) is not already obligated for the portion of the Capacity Commitment Period associated with that reconfiguration auction, may offer such capacity by submitting a supply offer by the reconfiguration auction offer and bid deadline, which will be announced by the ISO no later than two weeks prior to the auction.

III.13.4.2.1.1.2 Resources that have Not Achieved Commercial Operation.

  1. To submit a supply offer in an annual reconfiguration auction, a resource that has not achieved Commercial Operation by the first Business Day in August prior to the reconfiguration auction and that has capacity that: (i) has been qualified through a Forward Capacity Auction qualification process as described in Section III.13.1 or through the qualification process for a previous annual reconfiguration auction as described in this Section III.13.4.2; and (ii) is not already obligated for the Capacity Commitment Period associated with that reconfiguration auction, may offer such capacity by first indicating, no later than the first Business Day in August prior to the reconfiguration auction, its intent to offer by submitting all of the information required in the New Capacity Show of Interest Form as described in Section III.13.1.1.2.1, and then submitting a supply offer by the reconfiguration auction offer and bid deadline, which will be announced by the ISO no later than the February 1 prior to the auction. To participate in an annual reconfiguration auction, such a resource must be having the ISO monitor its critical path schedule in accordance with Section III.13.3, and the ISO's monitoring must indicate that the resource is expected to achieve Commercial Operation by the start of the Capacity Commitment Period associated with the reconfiguration auction. A resource that has not achieved Commercial Operation and that is not having its critical path schedule monitored by the ISO in accordance with Section III.13.3 may only participate in annual reconfiguration auctions pursuant to Section III.13.4.2.1.2.2.

Participation in Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral Contracts

Section III.13.1.1.1 deals with the requirements for submittal and with the approval of Capacity Supply Obligation bilaterals and is included verbatim below.

NOTE: The ISO intends to propose additional language Section III.13.5 to clarify the requirements relating to critical path monitoring as it would apply to New Resources wishing to participate in Capacity Supply Obligation bilaterals.

III.13.5.1.1 Process for Approval of Capacity Supply Obligation Bilaterals.

III.13.5.1.1.1 Timing. The Lead Market Participant for either the Capacity Transferring Resource or the Qualified Capacity Resource may submit a Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral during specified submittal windows, as defined in the ISO New England Manuals and ISO New England Operating Procedures, prior to the Capacity Commitment Period or prior to the Obligation Month during the Capacity Commitment Period.

III.13.5.1.1.2 Application. The Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral shall include the following: (i) the asset identification number of the Capacity Transferring Resource; (ii) the MW amount of the Capacity Supply Obligation being transferred in MW amounts up to three decimal places with a minimum size of 100kW (the 100kW minimum shall not apply to resources registered with the ISO prior to the earliest date that any portion of this Section III.13.5 becomes effective); (iii) the term of the transaction (in whole month increments up to one year); (iv) the asset identification number of the Qualified Capacity Resource; (v) the Capacity Zone to which the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral will apply; and (vi) confirmation of the transaction by both the Lead Market Participant for the Capacity Transferring Resource and the Lead Market Participant or Project Sponsor for the Qualified Capacity Resource. If the Qualified Capacity Resource is supporting the transaction with an Import Capacity Resource, the application must include documentation that such resource has or will have import rights over the interface for the applicable Capacity Commitment Period.

III.13.5.1.1.3 ISO Review and Approval. The ISO shall review the information provided in support of the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral, and may reject the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral for the following reasons:

  1. Identified reliability issues pursuant to the standards set forth in Section III.13.2.5.2.5;
  2. Submission of incomplete or inadequate information as required in Section III.13.5.1.1.2;
  3. Late submission of the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral;
  4. The resource proposed to assume the Capacity Supply Obligation is not a Qualified Capacity Resource pursuant to Section III.13.1;
  5. The megawatt amount identified in the Capacity Supply Obligation Bilateral is greater than the actual Capacity Supply Obligation associated with the resource seeking to transfer its Capacity Supply Obligation; or
  6. Lack of confirmation by the Capacity Transferring Resource or the Qualified Capacity Resource.
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