non-discriminatory transaction platforms for providing necessary grid-balancing services, where the nodal (or zonal, depending on the market) market clearing prices are very close to real-time operations of power systems.
Pros
Matching real-time demand with resources is a highly complex task; these markets provide a great alignment of the technical and financial operations related to delivering electricity.
Cons
These markets can be limiting to smaller resources and difficult or expensive to access.
Real Talk
A real-time energy market is critical for a successful renewable energy transition. The market must be aligned to support the natural cycles of RE, namely wind and solar irradiance.