Wholesale Electricity Market Systems at the Western Australia Independent Market Operator

This paper describes the implementation of the new Wholesale Electricity Market Systems (WEMS) at western Australia independent market operator (IMOWA). The WEMS automates the bid-to-bill process that is part of the western Australian wholesale electricity market. This market seeks to deliver an economically efficient, safe and reliable supply of electricity in the western Australia (WA) south west interconnected system (SWIS). The reserve capacity market ensures adequate generation in the market by accounting for generation capacity availability including seasonal capacities and long duration outages. The reserve capacity market also provides pricing signals for development of new generation. This paper summarizes the market design, architecture and market operation that are part of the wholesale electricity market. The WEMS was commissioned within 14 months of contract award.