Identification of load pockets and market power in electric power systems

In this paper, we present a spectral method for the identification of load pockets and the application of practical techniques for the measurement of market power. Market power is a serious concern in electric energy markets, especially in the area of a load pocket. Common definitions for market power, which rely on a comparison between market prices and a so-called competitive price, are difficult to use in practice because the competitive price is not known when the market is not competitive. The competitive price cannot be computed from data naturally available to the market. Our technique focuses on the identification of participants with the ability to increase revenues by increasing prices, an ability not present in a competitive market. We then propose measures for quantifying the extent to which market power is being exercised. These measures can be computed from data available to the market; they are practical. We present results from a 30 bus, 6 generator system, which illustrates that generators in a load pocket have and can exploit joint market power.