Jul 1, 2026 · 39 min · 8 segments
Every day, power market participants in the Western US must determine how much electricity they need for the following day and where it's going to come from. In response, California's grid operator on…
Elliot MainzerGuest
Scott MillerGuest
Kassia MicekDan TestaHost[on-hold music] Hello, and welcome to Energy Evolution, the podcast where we aim to understand the ups and downs of the energy transition in all its facets.
Specifically, we're gonna be talking about the recent launch of an extended day-ahead market by California's grid operator, known as the California Independent System Operator, or CAISO.
Now, that's the first of several acronyms you're gonna be hearing on this episode, so buckle up.
The launch of California's extended day-ahead market, or EDAM, is the latest development in the, well, I guess I'd call it an evolution of regional power markets in the Western US across both organized competitive markets and unorganized territories.
There's major solar resources, wind, and hydroelectric, among other forms of capacity.
The EDAM establishes a marketplace where these power providers in the West can coordinate to find the cheapest electricity, depending on grid conditions and restraints.
But it's worth noting these market expansions are not just happening in California.
So how does this work, and what does this mean for grid reliability, emissions, rate payers, and power traders? Joining us today to address that will be Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO of CAISO.
They were interviewed by Katia Misek, a reporter for S&P Global Energy Platts who covers Western power markets and who joins us now.
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[on-hold music] Hello, and welcome to Energy Evolution, the podcast where we aim to understand the ups and downs of the energy transition in all its facets.
Specifically, we're gonna be talking about the recent launch of an extended day-ahead market by California's grid operator, known as the California Independent System Operator, or CAISO.
Now, that's the first of several acronyms you're gonna be hearing on this episode, so buckle up.
The launch of California's extended day-ahead market, or EDAM, is the latest development in the, well, I guess I'd call it an evolution of regional power markets in the Western US across both organized competitive markets and unorganized territories.
There's major solar resources, wind, and hydroelectric, among other forms of capacity.
The EDAM establishes a marketplace where these power providers in the West can coordinate to find the cheapest electricity, depending on grid conditions and restraints.
But it's worth noting these market expansions are not just happening in California.
So how does this work, and what does this mean for grid reliability, emissions, rate payers, and power traders? Joining us today to address that will be Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO of CAISO.
They were interviewed by Katia Misek, a reporter for S&P Global Energy Platts who covers Western power markets and who joins us now.
