Electric power systems are undergoing major transformation. Organized electricity markets may play a key role on these systems of the future and achieving a system that can meet climate goals while still maintaining our everlasting goals of affordability and reliability.
The task force’s goals are to investigate visions and options for wholesale market designs and structures that can support 100% clean electricity futures. In particular, the task force is discussing how to accommodate high levels of variable, zero-fuel-cost, and inverter-based resources; high levels of limited-duration resources; and a dynamic distribution system with price-responsive or dispatchable demand-side assets.
The Electricity Markets Under 100% Clean Electricity Task Force held two workshops and published a report in March 2025.
- The first workshop on electricity markets under deep decarbonization was held February 28 to March 1, 2023, in Washington, DC. The workshop convened a set of experts to listen and debate the existing market designs and their effectiveness, solutions that have been explored and their effectiveness, and the possible actions necessary to bridge remaining gaps. Download the workshop summary here.
- The second workshop was held on October 24, 2024, in Providence, RI. Several authors were commissioned to articulate visions for wholesale market designs and structures that can support 100% clean electricity futures, and they gave overviews of their work at this workshop. The overarching goal of the workshop was to discuss metrics that can be used to evaluate these visions as well as other market designs, summarize these visions, and solicit workshop participants’ feedback. Download the 2024 workshop summary here.
Presentations From Second Workshop:
- Markets for 100% Clean Electricity Workshop Introduction Presentation, Robin Hytowitz, NextEra Analytics; Debra Lew, ESIG
- ESIG 100% and Markets Activities, Erik Ela, EPRI
- Changes needed to reliably and affordably achieve very high renewable penetration, Rob Gramlich, Grid Strategies; Michael Goggin, Grid Strategies
- Coordinated Planning for the Energy Transition, Kelli Joseph, World Resources Institute
- Electricity Markets under Deep Decarbonization, Jacob Mays, Cornell University
- A Developer’s Vision for Clean Energy Markets, Jessica Greenberg, Enel North America
- Overview of Decarbonized Grid Methodologies, Ryan Schoppe, EPRI
Completed Work and Additional Resources
Electricity Market Visions to Support a Reliable and Affordable Electric Grid Under Electricity Decarbonization
This report describes how organized electricity markets can play a key role in achieving a future clean electricity system that maintains the goals of affordability and reliability while fostering further innovation.
- A market vision white paper by Kelli Joseph of the World Resources Institute: “The Limits of Markets: A Reliable Transition Needs Planning”
- A market vision white paper by Jacob Mays of Cornell University: “Facilitating Decarbonization of Electricity Through Full-Strength Prices and Mandatory Contracts”