MISO touts net benefits increased to more than $3 billion in 2017

Midcontinent System Operator created more than $3 billion worth of benefits for members and customers across the electricity transmission organization’s footprint in 2017, according to its most recent Value Proposition study. Net benefits increased 12% or by $366 million, to between $3 billion and $3.7 billion, from 2016.

“MISO continues to drive toward our vision to be the most reliable, value-creating RTO,” CEO John Bear said. “Again in 2017, our Value Proposition demonstrates the value members receive through improved reliability, market efficiencies and footprint and resource diversity.”

The majority of Value Proposition benefits include reliability, market commitment and dispatch and generation investment deferral. The single largest benefit MISO created was its footprint diversity, creating between $2 billion and $2.5 billion in benefits to the region. Its footprint offers several low-cost options for meeting changing electricity needs, according to MISO.

“With significant changes overtaking the industry, MISO’s role becomes even more valuable by helping its members navigate grid and industry changes in a way that ensures reliability and creates value for customers,” said Wayne Schug, vice president of strategy and business development for MISO. “Our work helps members evaluate the impact of environmental regulations, improve coordination with neighboring systems and develop new products and services to adjust to a transitioning grid.”

Since 2007, MISO has provided nearly $20.8 billion cumulative net benefits.

MISO, a nonprofit based in Carmel, Ind., oversees electricity transmission across 15 U.S. states, including Arkansas, and Manitoba, Canada. It manages more than $24.7 billion in annual gross market energy transactions and has control centers in Carmel, Eagan, Minn., and Little Rock. In 2001, MISO was established as the first regional transmission organization and is overseen by an independent board of directors.