Market support system aids transmission services

Electrical transmission systems have traditionally been considered natural monopolies and part of the integrated electric utilities to which they belong. Recent legislative action in establishing guidelines for Regional Transmission Groups (RTGs) have opened transmission systems to market forces. The RTGs are being organized to set up wholesale wheeling and will match buyers and sellers of power through electronic bulletin boards. In this new climate, electric utilities are concerned about receiving fair compensation for transmission costs, because traditional contract paths do not necessarily represent the actual flow of electric power through the grid. To meet these concerns, an interactive, computer-based market support system is being presented that is eficient, equitable, nondiscriminatory, self-regulating and fair to all parties; utilities, electric generators, owners of transmission networks and wholesale purchasers of electrical power.