Independent Electricity System Operator Capacity Auction (IESO CA) Program Guidelines

Independent Electricity System Operator Capacity Auction (IESO CA)

Program Seasons

Summer: May 1 – Oct 31, business days
Winter: Nov 1 – Apr 30, business days

Hours of Availability
Summer: 12–9 p.m. EST (1–10 p.m. EDT)
Winter: 4–9 p.m. EST (5–10 p.m. EDT)

Dispatch Notice
Two hours with additional advance warning

Participation Options

Curtail electrical load or transfer load to an eligible generator or storage system.

Enrollment Strategy

Enel X will work with you to determine your enrollment value based upon the electrical load pattern at your facility, information regarding your operations and/or performance in a dispatch readiness test.

This value may be adjusted based upon dispatch performance history and other feedback. If you would like your enrollment value to be re-assessed, please contact Enel Support.

Audit Requirements

The IESO may audit up to two times per season to confirm your ability to deliver your enrolled kW value. Timing of the audits is at the discretion of the IESO. Audits will last four hours.

Capacity Test Requirement

In addition to the standard audit that occurs up to twice per season, the IESO will be implementing a capacity test once per season. This test is likely to occur in the first 2-3 months of program season and will last four hours.

You will receive a 10 business-day notice of a 5 business-day window in which the test can be called followed by at least day-ahead notice of the day and time of the test. Your performance will be averaged with all other event performances.

For an overview of activation types visit the IESO Testing Rules page.

Dispatch Timing & Duration

Dispatches typically start in the late afternoon and could run as late as 10:00 p.m. Please make sure you have an off-hours contact listed for all enrolled sites. A dispatch will last between 1 – 4 hours.

Advance Notice

To alert you of demand response activity, Enel X will issue three types of notifications during the season:

• Test Notification – Day-Ahead Standby: The IESO has alerted Enel X it has scheduled an audit for the following day. Enel X will send this advance notification via email, SMS, and phone. Do not implement your participation plan yet, but remain on alert for the dispatch notification.
• Emergency Notification – Day-Of Elevated Alert: The IESO has indicated that grid conditions are constrained and Enel X is on elevated alert for the day. Do not implement your participation yet, but remain on alert for an official dispatch notice. If you do not receive a notification by 7:00 p.m., you will not be dispatched that day.
• Dispatch Notification: The IESO has issued a demand response event. Acknowledge receipt of the notifications and execute your participation plan in time for the dispatch start. Notifications will be sent at least two hours before the dispatch start time.

Baseline Definition

There are two main components to the program baseline:

• Shape: The initial baseline shape is calculated for each 5-minute interval of the dispatch day by averaging kW demand during the same interval from the highest 15 of the 20 business days immediately preceding the dispatch day.
• Height: The initial baseline shape will be adjusted up or down to reflect your consumption during the 3-hour window starting 4 hours prior to the start of the dispatch. This adjustment is capped at 20% of the initial baseline value.

Performance Measurement

Performance is measured as the average difference between electrical demand and the adjusted baseline for every 5-minute interval during a dispatch. Your event performance may be further adjusted based on the minimum delivery requirements outlined in your agreement.

Keys to Success: Begin participation one hour before the dispatch start time to ensure you are able to reach your contribution target. Execute your full participation plan and verify that equipment does not default back to normal operations during the dispatch.

Payment Calculation

Payment is based on your site’s average performance across all dispatches in the program period. If there is no dispatch or audit, you will be paid on your full enrollment value. If you are able to deliver more than your target, you have the potential to earn up to the payment cap. All program periods, rates, and payment caps are defined in your agreement.

Any underperformance will negatively impact your payment for the given season and may result in reduced enrollment and earning potential for future seasons.