Nodal Pricing Analysis and Applications

This course is recognized by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC") as an approved learning activity for which NERC Continuing Education ("CE") hours can be awarded.  Pterra adheres to NERC Continuing Education Program Criteria.  

Next schedule: Sept 2-4, 2008

Description

Nodal pricing is the emerging method for determining the impact of transmission congestion and losses on the price of electric energy. The method involves an optimization solution of costs subject to transmission constraints. This method bears more resemblance to the power flow than to a bidding program. Nodal pricing is applied, in varying forms, to energy markets, congestion rents, firm transmission rights, and others. For anyone participating in such markets, understanding the fundamentals of nodal pricing is a must.

This course provides an introductory coverage of the basics of modeling and calculating nodal pricing, starting from power flow models and cost curves. Case studies and exercises help bring home the concepts while providing real-life examples. The investment of your time and focus will surely be rewarded with a jump start on this important concept of nodal pricing.

Attendees

The course is oriented to be of most benefit to

• Transmission Operators
• Reliability Operators
• Generator Operators
• Market Operators
• Operations and Planning Engineers 

Ratings

To ensure the quality and timeliness of our courses, Pterra asks participants to provide feedback and to rate each course.  This allows to adjust to the changing needs of the industry.  Assessment ratings are made on a scale of 5 with highest being 5.0.  Ratings are applied to individual topics, individual speakers and instructors, and aspects of course presentation such as materials, notes and interaction. 

Format

The training is presented in a classroom format, using lectures, hands-on exercises and review tests. In the lectures, concepts, methods and techniques for each learning objective are presented, with provision for Q&A sessions to address specific questions.  The exercises provide for a basis to apply the concepts in real-world simulation software, and interpret the results from a physical standpoint. The test reviews determine if there is sufficient retention of the course material to support the award of CE credits.

The course is presented over three days with two sessions per day. Each session comprises of 3 classroom hours.  Participants receive bound Course Notes which contain a copy of the material presented in the lectures, including supplementary material for reference, description of the exercises and answer sheets for the exercises.

The exercises are presented with an overview and explanation of the sample system and provided data, a list of questions and space for the participants to enter responses, comments and additional notes.  

Computers will be provided for course participants.  Participants who wish to bring their own laptops with their own licensed analytical software may do so.  Pterra's instructors can provide coaching for most software packages.    

Outline

Day 1: 

• Overview of Nodal Pricing and Energy Markets
• Computational Methods for Nodal Prices
• Market Implementations
• Case Study 1: A sample energy market in the Northeast US
• Exercise: Develop a model for nodal pricing calculation - identify least cost dispatch and congestion paths
• Exercise: Applications of nodal pricing in quantifying congestion 

Day 2:

• The Impact of New Generation, Load and Fuel Prices on Nodal Prices
• Modeling new generation in a nodal pricing model
• Case Study 2 – emerging energy market: Texas or the Southwest US
• Exercise: Adding nodal pricing model on an existing power system
• Exercise: Applications of new generation and load forecasting to nodal pricing analysis

Day 3:

• The Impact of New or Upgraded Transmission lines on Nodal Prices
• The Impact of New Technology such as HVDC lines and Static VAR Compensators on Nodal Prices
• Case Study 3: an nodal priced energy market in the Western US
• Exercise: Applications of a a new or upgraded transmission line in nodal pricing analysis
• Exercise: Applications of HVDC lines in nodal pricing analysis

NERC CE Hours

NERC CE Hours are awarded for successful completion of the course based on attendance, graded tests and completed hands-on exercises.  Hours are allocated as follows:

• Full course:
  • 18.0 Hours on Operating Topics
  • 9.0 Hours on Simulation

Duration

The course is scheduled for 18 class hours over a period of 3 days.

Location

The course will be held at Pterra's Training Facility in Albany, New York, located 5 minutes from Albany International Airport on Wolf Road.  Over 20 hotels and restaurants within 10 minutes make this an accessible location.  Also, the location is within a day's driving distance from anywhere in the Northeast US and eastern Canada.

The course is also available for presentation at sponsored venues.  Please contact Pterra for more information.

Further Information 

For more information, please contact info@pterra.us.