PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric (PGE) are moving forward on schedule to join the California ISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), with both utilities and CAISO executives describing the process as intensive but on track. PacifiCorp remains in the market simulation phase through mid-January 2026, with full market participation expected to begin May 1, 2026. PGE is slated to begin its own simulation phase in March 2026, complete testing by June, and officially join EDAM on October 1, 2026. CAISO Chief Information and Technology Officer Khaled Abdul-Rahman reported during an October 27 Western Energy Markets Regional Issues Forum (RIF) meeting that market testing and training are progressing smoothly, though the schedule is “very tight and very aggressive.”
Simulation and System Testing Progress Smoothly
The simulation phase is a key milestone designed to validate new market functions, rule changes, and system upgrades before launch. CAISO has been holding workshops to prepare participants for complex EDAM features such as intertie scheduling and settlement processes, with additional sessions planned later this year. Abdul-Rahman emphasized that much of the current focus is on settlement data preparation and congestion revenue allocation—areas that require significant system adjustments but are not expected to delay implementation.
PacifiCorp Expands Operations and Workforce Training
At the meeting, PacifiCorp Director of Portfolio Optimization Paul Wood highlighted the operational and cultural shifts required for market integration. PacifiCorp is moving from a five-day to a seven-day operation to align with EDAM requirements and is prioritizing extensive employee training to ensure staff can manage both daily operations and new market responsibilities. Wood underscored the importance of early vendor engagement and maintaining flexibility as market rules evolve. “There’s been a lot of training for employees to get their tools ready for a total change on May 1,” he said.
Governance Transition Underway for Western Markets
In parallel with these technical preparations, governance structures for Western market coordination are also evolving. The RIF committee is developing a plan to transition into the new Stakeholder Representatives Committee (SRC), which will form part of the governance structure for the Regional Organization for Western Energy—an entity being created under the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative. The new body will oversee both EDAM and the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM). Stakeholders emphasized the need for a smooth, efficient transition to avoid duplicative work and maintain continuity in stakeholder engagement. NV Energy’s Lindsey Schlekeway noted that many participants in the RIF will also serve on the SRC, underscoring the value of a streamlined approach to governance during this critical phase of Western market integration.
For more information on the CAISO Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), click here.