Indian Energy Exchange launches RTM

The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) has launched the much-awaited Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) on its platform, effective June 1, 2020.

The RTM will help utilities buy & sell electricity, just an hour before the requirement, in 48 auction sessions during the day.

The real time market is an endeavor by the regulator, CERC, to make the power market dynamic by enabling trade in electricity through half-hourly auctions. There will be 48 auction sessions during the day with delivery of power within one hour of closure of the bid session.

RTM would also provide an opportunity to generators to sell their unrequisitioned capacity thereby enabling efficient use of generation capacity.

The market will greatly aid the distribution utilities to manage power demand-supply variation and meet 24×7 power supply aspirations in the most flexible, efficient, and dynamic way. The utilities presently manage unplanned changes in schedule through the Deviation Settlement Mechanism and in the process, end up paying penalties. RTM will facilitate utilities to reduce dependency on deviation framework and save on the huge penalties. It will also support the grid operators to enhance overall safety and security of the grid.

With the fast-paced shift towards renewable energy, RTM will facilitate the distribution utilities to manage the challenge of intermittency associated with renewables. The market will help the utilities and system operators to forecast and schedule green energy in an effective way thereby supporting the national green energy aspirations towards building India as a sustainable green energy economy.

IEX’s RTM is powered to ensure transparency, competitive price discovery, and a seamless trading experience to the market participants.

RTM would also provide an opportunity to generators to sell their unrequisitioned capacity thereby enabling efficient use of generation capacity. IEX’s RTM is powered by the state-of-the-art technology and features double-sided closed auction to ensure transparency, competitive price discovery, and a seamless trading experience to the market participants.

“With the launch of RTM, the Indian energy markets are moving towards global standards of electricity trading and establishing the new energy order in the country. It will support the utilities in reducing dependence on grid deviation framework, of the order of 20 BU (billion units) in fiscal year 2020,” said Rajiv Srivastava, CEO & Managing Director, IEX Ltd, said. “The primary purpose of the real-time market is to allow utilities to manage their power demand dynamically, save on huge deviation related penalties and integrate renewable in an effective way. The new market segment will foster greater flexibility, competition and efficiency in electricity sector and address the emerging needs of the time.,”Srivastava added.

IEX has already held several capacity building sessions involving the main beneficiaries of this new market segment including market participants, generation companies and utilities. IEX has also successfully conducted various mock trading sessions and made an RTM tool available to help utilities leverage the market effectively.

Also See:

PXIL To Launch Real-Time Electricity Market On June 1, 2020

(Featured photograph for illustration only)