Frequency Band

How will electricity prices evolve as power systems become more complex, renewable generation grows, and new technologies reshape grid operations? In this episode of Frequency Band, hosts Paul Dockery and Becky Robinson are joined by Jacob Mays and Erik Ela to explore the future of price formation in electricity markets. 
 
Jacob and Erik are two leading experts in power system economics and market design. Jacob Mays is an Assistant Professor at Cornell University, new member of the California ISO Market Surveillance Committee, and electricity market design researcher. Erik Ela is a technical expert who advises organizations around the world, including EPRI and ESIG, on grid operators and power system engineering and economics. They bring valuable insights into ongoing debates around wholesale electricity prices and the market signals that guide investment and operations.

Net load uncertainty, growing markets, opportunity-cost-based resources, and agent-based simulation of electricity market design changes are the four topics at the forefront of electricity market design. In this episode of Frequency Band, hosts Paul Dockery and Becky Robinson discuss topics that two of the field’s most respected experts on market design find most interesting.
Prof. Benjamin Hobbs and Dr. Scott Harvey are two long standing members of the ISO’s Market Surveillance Committee (MSC). In this two-part series, they share wisdom drawn from decades of experience across North American markets on the “wonkier” side of challenges facing electricity markets.
Creators & Guests

Benjamin Hobbs - Guest

Dr. Scott Harvey - Guest

Becky Robinson - Host

Paul Dockery - Host

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Net load uncertainty, growing markets, opportunity-cost-based resources, and agent-based simulation of electricity market design changes are the four topics at the forefront of electricity market design. In this episode of Frequency Band, hosts Paul Dockery and Becky Robinson discuss topics that two of the field’s most respected experts on market design find most interesting.
Prof. Benjamin Hobbs and Dr. Scott Harvey are two long standing members of the ISO’s Market Surveillance Committee (MSC). In this two-part series, they share wisdom drawn from decades of experience across North American markets on the “wonkier” side of challenges facing electricity markets.
Creators & Guests

Benjamin Hobbs - Guest

Dr. Scott Harvey - Guest

Becky Robinson - Host

Paul Dockery - Host

Ancillary services help keep our power grid stable. How they work can get technical, complicated, and confusing. In this episode of Frequency Band, hosts Paul Dockery and Becky Robinson break down this vital topic with two leading industry experts.
 
Emma Nicholson, Energy Economist and former Senior Economic Advisor at FERC, joins Robin Hytowitz, Program Lead at EPRI, to share their deep knowledge of energy markets. Using analogies, they unpack how these essential services maintain grid reliability and balance the constant push and pull of electricity supply and demand.
From frequency response to ramping reserves, we explore the mechanisms that keep the lights on when grid conditions change fast. This episode offers lighthearted, thought-provoking insights into the systems stabilizing our energy future.

Episode 1: Getting the Most from Transmission
Transmission is the backbone of the energy grid, and in this inaugural episode of Frequency Band, hosts Paul Dockery and Becky Robinson explore this critical topic with two leading experts. Rob Gramlich, President of GridStrategies, and Kyri Baker, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder, share their unique perspectives. 

From optimizing power flows to planning and deploying new infrastructure, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of transmission. With engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights, it’s the perfect starting point for a podcast series tackling the big questions in energy. 
Click here to view the episode transcript.