White Papers New Age Energy Markets - Challenges for Utilities, | Page 6

New Age Energy Markets - Challenges for Utilities, IPPs and Traders A ComTechAdvisory Whitepaper -mission congestion during peak days. These conditions are likely to continue as investments in new transmission capacity is forecast to lag new wind and solar capacity added in the US. With the addition of roof-top solar and other distributed generation sources, encouraged by the increasing adoption of net-metering schemes in a number of markets, transmission planning becomes even more difficult. The growth of these programs across the country has resulted in a 500% growth in power sold back to utilities since 2011, and that volume will undoubtedly continue to grow creating additional operational issues for grid operators and utility-scale generation owners. ADDRESSING CHALLENGES OF THE NEW AGE For traders, IPP and utilities, this “New Age Market” offers any number of challenges. With the rapidly changing mix of generation and increasing reliance on renewables and natural gas, what were once largely one-dimensional markets, governed primarily by weather driven demand, have become increasingly multi-dimensional. In this market, the nature of the power supply and associated fuel costs (if any) must also be more thoroughly considered, analyzed and forecasted. Transmission issues will continue to plague regional markets, though historical congestion conditions will be an increasingly less accurate indicator with the growth of distributed generation and utility scale renewables. The increasing reliance on natural gas continues to operationally and financially link those two markets, leading to a tight correlation and reducing arbitrage opportunities between the two. Regulatory mandates at the federal, regional and state levels will certainly continue to reshape the “rules of the road”, though political influences will undoubtedly make forecasting those regulations increasingly difficult. These rapid changes and growing uncertainties are increasing risks. As regulations reshape the mix of the generation fleet and impact the trading of power, gas and financial products, trading volumes are declining and day-to-day activi- ties have become more operationally centric. Traders, marketers and merchants are reducing activity to adjust to these new market conditions…and for the trades that are occurring, more analysis, investigation and due diligence is required. ALLEGRO AT THE CENTER OF THE NEW AGE MARKET For traders, utilities and IPPs, profitability in this complex and evolving market requires a full and complete picture of assets, operations, positions and risk exposures. Operating profitably will require the latest technology – sophisticated systems that quickly aggregate, optimize, forecast and value the multitude of variables that make up the New Age Market. Allegro Horizon is uniquely positioned to address the complexities faced by asset holders and traders in any market region. © Commodity Technology Advisory LLC, 2016, All Rights Reserved.