Local governments across the US are seeking to expand clean energy adoption in support of their climate, decarbonization and equity goals. Their success will be partly dependent on cost-effective clean energy procurement within the territories of regional transmission organizations and independent system operators.
While wholesale electricity markets contain many features that provide an enabling environment for the integration of clean energy resources into the electricity grid, their evolving rules and policies can affect the cost, timeliness, and feasibility of clean energy deployment.
This paper explores current barriers and opportunities associated with transmission, market rules, and stakeholder processes across these markets while considering how they affect local government goals.