In recent years, there have been multiple discussions and analyses of the benefits of a Western regional transmission organization (RTO). Roughly half of California’s thermal (gas) generators are located in disadvantaged communities (DACs). Various stakeholders, such as environmental justice groups, are keen to understand the impacts of market proliferation on California’s thermal generation and in particular, on thermal generation in DACs.

To address this question, GridLab and Energy Strategies conducted an analysis on how various future energy market configurations may affect the dispatch and emissions of California’s thermal units. The study leveraged the GridViewTM security-constrained economic dispatch modeling tool to perform nodal market simulations for 2032. This study provides an analysis of how seven different western market configurations might affect California’s thermal generation, emissions, and generation in DACs.