Wholesale electricity market. Generating companies of the wholesale electricity market

In 2003, the wholesale electricity market system underwent significant changes. The reason for this was the adoption of the relevant law, according to which the reform of this branch in the state was carried out. The main goal of the changes was the replacement of many small companies that provide a variety of services - from production to marketing, to three large ones. They, in turn, should specialize only in one direction:

• production;
• transportation;
• Marketing.

Thanks to this, a unified network appeared that included the important Rosenergoatom nuclear concern. This reform has made it possible to bring the energy industry to a fundamentally new level and make it one of the leading in the Russian economy.

Specificity of electricity as a commodity

The wholesale electricity market trades a very important resource. And since this product has quite specific features, some moments should be taken into account when regulating the market. The main distinguishing feature of electricity as a commodity is that all stages of the movement must occur in turn and without delays. Energy can not be stored and stored. This type of products immediately after production must instantaneously reach the end user.

Control of the manufacturer is only possible from the position of the delivery volumes. But for people it does not matter which company generates electric energy, because after it is reproduced, it falls into a common network.

Generating companies of the wholesale electricity market understand perfectly that their goods are included in the category of prime necessity. The population is very sensitive to sudden changes, jumps or lack of this product. Only in extreme cases people can replace a centralized source with an autonomous station or with gas heating. For this reason, the deliveries must be reliable and uninterrupted.

Also, when generating electricity, the ratio between the production plan and the consumption forecast is taken into account. It should be as balanced as possible so that there is no imbalance.

Methods of market regulation

The wholesale electricity and capacity market depends heavily on the way the state regulates. A particular method of regulation, in turn, is selected according to the relevant factors:

• Type of state economy;
• Type of ownership;
• A way of government intervention in the development of the industry.

Direct government management of the industry

In the case of direct management of the industry, the wholesale electricity market is subject to state influence through its bodies, for example, ministries. The state apparatus directs the work of the industry and all its enterprises. The state directly decides the quantity and volume of supplies, sets the cost and direction of investing profits. That is, virtually all the work of energy sector enterprises (including the price of electricity in the wholesale market) is under control from above. This method is rather rigid.

State management of the industry through a state corporation

When administered through a state-owned corporation, the state also has a significant share of influence on the industry. Is that the management itself is carried out through a specially created corporation. Although this organization works in the interests of the country, it has a certain independence and independence in making decisions. This makes it possible to manage the energy sector more carefully, to make more profit and organize the process as efficiently as possible.

State regulation and supervision of the functioning of the industry

This method of regulating the industry is used in the most democratic countries. If all the players on the market are private traders, then this is the best way out. The advantage of this method is complete independence. But not all falls on the shoulders of private entrepreneurs. Licensing, regulation of activities and security is the work of the state. It also deals with pricing and tariff setting. Uniform rules are also developed that are mandatory for the production, transmission and distribution of energy.

Forward market

How the wholesale electricity market is organized affects not only the efficiency of its development, but also the entire industry as a whole.

The first type of organization of the wholesale electricity market is the forward market. Its essence lies in the delivery of products under previously concluded contracts. The activities of the forward market are carried out on the basis of bilateral contacts, concluded directly by the seller and the buyer of the goods. There are several ways to move electrical energy. The first is the registration of the transaction between the manufacturer and the consumer. The essence of the second type of contract in the resale of products. The conclusion of the third occurs at the relevant exchange, which deals with forwards.

The advantage of this market is its reliability and security, because he pre-insures both sides against possible force majeure circumstances. Physically, the implementation of the contract will be carried out only after the formation of the daily schedule. This is another of its pluses, because you do not need to spend any special efforts on organizing the work of the market.

Market for the day ahead

The trading system of the wholesale electricity market primarily determines in advance the quantity and delivery time. But since the goods can be moved by different methods, it is likely that unforeseen hiccups will occur. However, this problem is solved quite simply. For this, temporary warehouses are organized. It is also possible to regulate this issue with the help of economic levers (for example, advance appreciation). However, the coordination of supplies for the electricity market is specific. The main distinguishing features of such a market are the instantaneous transmission and consumption. For these reasons, energy flow planning is very important for the sustainable operation of the network.

Coordinates the operation of the system operator, which determines how much, when and who needs to deliver. His work consists in drawing up the schedule of movement of electric energy. The accuracy of this plan depends on the level of satisfaction of all market participants. Therefore, the operator takes into account the throughput of sections of electrical networks. Correct calculations will help to eliminate the possibility of overload, while using the full capacity of the lines in full.

Usually the day when the operator finally approves the daily schedule, precedes the operational day. An employee promotes the emergence of a whole market. It is this method of organization that is called "the day ahead".

The market of "real time"

The wholesale electricity market is characterized by its inaccuracy, because it is very difficult to foresee the volume of delivery clearly. It is quite possible for some deviations from the one prescribed in the contract.

It often happens that in one place there is a lack of energy, whereas in the other, there are surpluses. In any case, they will not balance each other. If the magnitude of the imbalance is significant, this can lead to malfunctions in the system. Therefore, the operator is involved in supply chain management.

The real-time market allows to make the system more balanced by trading its participants with imbalances they have.

Generating companies

At the moment, there are seven large companies operating in the Russian Federation. They interact with each other, and their network is thus the wholesale energy market. The main objects of the system are thermal power plants. All of them are grouped into six associations. On average, the power of one such grouping is nine gigawatts. The second generating company of the wholesale electricity market is engaged in regulating the operation of hydroelectric power plants. It is called RusHydro. The wholesale market accounts for one third of the generated energy in the country.