DESCRIPTION:

Energy regulators around the world are increasingly focused on connectivity and integration, especially in the context of developing regional energy markets. Regional energy markets play an important role in improving the energy security of countries by bolstering the resources and systems beyond local or national borders. They also help ensure that consumers receive reliable and affordable electricity while promoting increased use of clean energy resources. As new investors and traders enter the markets, it behooves energy regulators to promote coordinated regulatory frameworks to facilitate investments and increased access. This session will discuss key regulatory concepts and structures that various state-level regulators in the U.S. have developed with each other and with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It will further examine the strong role that regulators can play in promoting regional market integration with a case study from Southeast Europe. Just as utilities have significantly increased their coordination efforts to address efficiencies, especially in regional transmission organizations (RTOs), regulators have, likewise, developed a number of working-level systems to strengthen the regional regulatory frameworks.