Welcome to Grid Brief! Today we’re looking at power generation and power prices in America’s power markets, with news items where relevant.

What’s Keeping the Lights On?

Let’s start with a snapshot of generation nation-wide:

Natural gas and nuclear were, for the most part, the top two generators in America until wind overtook nuclear. Total generation dipped over the week.

And here’s a map to orient you as we move through the market areas:

CAISO

Natural gas and solar traded the top two spots in California, until hydro and wind started breaking into second place.

In Northern California, real-time prices frequently dropped below day-ahead including several dips into the negatives.

This was not the case in the southern part of the state, where real-time and day-ahead remained tightly coupled, except for a spike to nearly $400.

Berkeley finalized the repeal of its natural gas ban in a blow to the urban policy strategy favored by environmentalists.

New York-ISO

Natural gas, hydro, and nuclear kept the Empire State running.

New York saw two substantial prices spikes over the week.

National Grid has announced a $4 billion investment in upstate grid infrastructure to spur the transition to renewable energy. “That money will go toward 70 projects, which will include building substations and rebuilding more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines connecting towns near Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. National Grid plans to roll out these projects over the course of six years,” reports Utility Dive.

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