Unlock Savings with Independent System Operator (ISO) Direct

Leaders in data centers, hospitals, REITs, and finance are realizing retail energy isn’t wholesale—it’s packed with hidden margins and fees. ECM gives you direct ISO market access, cutting costs by 5–25% with total pricing transparency.

Executive Summary

Retail suppliers and utilities all source power from the same ISO wholesale markets. The difference is that retail contracts add hidden costs, while ISO direct lets you buy power the way suppliers do—at true wholesale rates. For many enterprises, this shift results in seven-figure annual savings from year one.

Retail ≠ Wholesale

Many enterprises renew retail contracts every 1–3 years without realizing that retail energy is not true wholesale. Retail suppliers may appear to simplify the process, but the hidden costs—broker fees, risk premiums, and margin stacking—drive up your energy spend.

Transparency + Control

With ISO direct procurement, large enterprises gain the same market access as utilities and
suppliers themselves. It’s not about taking on more risk—it’s about removing the middleman
and taking back control.

Retail

Highest cost, least transparency

Utility

Mid-level transparency, moderate value

ISO Direct

Highest savings, full transparency

The Impact for Large Enterprises

For organizations with large loads (data centers, hospital systems, financial institutions, and REIT portfolios) the opportunity is transformative: 5%–25% cost reductions with no speculative risk.

Seven-figure savings in year one are typical for ECM clients.
For data centers, savings can scale to tens or even a hundred+ million.

Watch the Full Video Series

Episode 1: What is the ISO and Why It Matters

Understand how wholesale electricity markets really work.

Episode 2: The Advantages of ISO Membership

Learn how ISO participation provides insight, influence, and advantage.

Episode 3 (You Are Here): ISO Direct vs. Retail Energy Procurement

Why retail does not equal wholesale—and how ISO direct maximizes transparency and savings.

Watch all episodes of the Ask the ISO Expert series to strengthen your energy strategy.

Under his leadership, ECM has maintained a 100% success rate navigating complex ISO markets in PJM, NYISO, and ISO-NE.

Eugene Garcia

President Of ECM

Eugene Garcia is the President of ECM Energy Management Services. For over 20 years, he has worked directly with Independent System Operators (ISOs) across the U.S., helping Fortune 500 companies, data centers (hyperscale, colocation and enterprise), hospitals, REITs, and financial institutions reduce energy costs, secure power capacity, and achieve
sustainability goals.

Earlier in his career, Eugene designed power plants and integrated power plant development and electric distribution systems improvements as part of a global energy consulting team. This combination of hands-on engineering and international perspective provides him with a unique understanding of how energy systems operate under different market, regulatory, and grid conditions. These insights translate into practical strategies for U.S. clients—enabling him to anticipate risks, engineer creative solutions, and deliver measurable results.

ECM Energy Management Services

ECM is an energy management firm built on expertise, trust, and results. For more than two decades, we have helped some of the world’s most demanding organizations—data centers, financial institutions, hospitals, and REITs—reduce costs, secure power capacity, and accelerate sustainability outcomes.

Wholesale ISO Direct & Retail Procurement

Demand Response Programs

Bill Audit & Energy Optimization

Renewables Integration, including project development and REC management

Carbon Accounting & ESG Support

With operations across PJM, NYISO and NE-ISO, ECM empowers executives to stop overpaying for energy, eliminate hidden costs, and transform procurement into a strategic advantage.

Stop Paying Retail. Start Saving with Wholesale.

With ECM as your ISO market partner, you’ll unlock the transparency, savings, and control your enterprise deserves.