Keeping Track: Who's Generating Green Power

April 10, 2005 – Vol.10 No.3

KEEPING TRACK: WHO’S GENERATING GREEN POWER?

Regulators in U.S. states with Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) need to know: who is generating green electricity, when, and how much is coming across the power grid. In order to enforce the standards, regulators will need that information.

At least in the U.S. states of New Jersey and Maryland utility companies will be able to subscribe to GATS (Generation Attribute Tracking System) that will automatically collect data on power generation on a continual, 24/7, basis. GATS is being offered by PJM Environmental Services, an offshoot of PJM Interconnect, which manages the power grid in all or parts of 12 states and the District of Columbia.

GATS tracks generation and ownership attributes while it creates electronic certificates needed to satisfy state policies and document green power. Data collected by GATS includes megawatt hours produced, emissions, fuel source, location, and state program. One certificate with a unique serial number identifying the attributes is issued for each megawatt hour produced.

Initially GATS will be offered to power suppliers in New Jersey and Maryland but will later be offered in the other states under the PJM hat. More than 45 million people rely on PJM to keep their electricity flowing. Visit PJM Environmental Information Services at http:/www.pjm-eis.com/ .