For more than 20 years, ECM Energy Management Services has helped Fortune 500 companies, data centers, financial institutions, REITs, and health systems in PJM, NYISO, and ISO-NE territories buy energy smarter, secure reliable power, and achieve sustainability goals in a financially sound way.
Along the way, we’ve uncovered an energy opportunity that very few organizations are taking advantage of—but it has the potential to transform your long-term energy strategy.
That opportunity is the Independent System Operator (ISO) market. If your facilities operate in PJM (Mid-Atlantic), NYISO (New York) or ISO New England, understanding how to work directly with the ISO can be the difference between struggling with managing rising costs and securing power to deliver a competitive advantage.
What Is an ISO and Why It Matters for Data Centers & Hospitals
The Independent System Operator (ISO) is the backbone of the wholesale electricity market. There are seven ISOs across the U.S., all overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Each ISO has two critical roles:
- Reliability: Operating the high-voltage grid and balancing supply and demand in real time.
- Clearinghouse: Managing the wholesale energy market where all power transactions are priced, cleared, and settled.
If a retail broker or energy aggregator tells you that bundling your load equals “wholesale access,” think again. The ISO is the true wholesale market, and working directly with it creates cost savings, transparency, and control that middlemen can’t deliver.
Breaking Down the Main Cost Components of ISO Power in PJM, NYISO & ISO-NE
Electricity costs in the ISO are built on three main components:
- Energy (60–70%)
Every hour, the ISO stacks generator bids from lowest to highest until demand is met. The clearing price that emerges applies across the board.
- Capacity (20–30%)
A forward-looking market mechanism that ensures new generation is built where needed. Buyers can source capacity through spot purchases, monthly or seasonal auctions, or long-term contracts.
- Ancillaries & Renewable Portfolio Standards (10%)
Ancillary services maintain grid reliability (e.g., reserves, black start capability). Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) vary by state and dictate how much renewable energy is required.
Strategically sourcing each of these components is where ECM delivers measurable value to large energy users.
Options for Large Energy Users in PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE
For organizations with large energy loads—such as data centers (hyperscale, colocation, enterprise), healthcare systems, REITs, financial institutions, or commercial real estate portfolios—there are three primary ways to engage directly with the ISO:
- Load Serving Entity (LSE): Become your own retail supplier and bypass intermediaries.
- Curtailment / Demand Response: Earn revenue or savings by reducing load when the grid is stressed.
- Direct Customer: In some ISOs, simplify regulatory paperwork and connect directly to the market.
Depending on the specific ISO and your energy consumption characteristics, one option may prove more beneficial than another.
Why ISO Access Matters to Your Organization
Direct ISO participation isn’t just about buying cheaper power—it’s about controlling your energy future.
By working directly with the ISO, your organization gains:
- Market intelligence to anticipate and manage price volatility.
- Flexibility in procurement, from short-term auctions to long-term contracts.
- Sustainability alignment, ensuring renewable procurement and compliance with state mandates is integrated to provide improved financial performance.
- A voice in the market, directly or through an experienced partner like ECM.
In today’s environment of capacity constraints and sustainability pressures, ISO membership can be the differentiator that sets your business apart.
Watch the full video: Ask the ISO Expert Episode 1: The ISO Energy Opportunity
ECM: 20+ Years of Success Navigating the ISO Market in PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE
Navigating the ISO landscape is complex. It requires expertise, relationships, and a proven track record.
At ECM, we’ve spent over two decades helping data centers, financial institutions, REITs, and healthcare systems in PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE territories unlock this opportunity—with a 100% success rate.
If your organization needs to secure power capacity, reduce energy costs, or strengthen your sustainability strategy, ECM can help you evaluate options, streamline participation, and deliver results.