Unbundling or ISO+? National Grid’s UK and US experience and the benefits for European energy markets

Speaker: Nick Winser, National Grid’s Executive Director for Transmission
 
National Grid owns and operates the electricity transmission network in England and Wales and owns and operates the gas transmission network throughout Great Britain, operating under a fully unbundled Transmission System Operator (TSO) model.  In Scotland, they have operated the electricity transmission network as System Operator under an Independent System Operator (ISO) model since 2005, and they were involved in the design of the commercial and regulatory frameworks required to bring the ISO model into force. 
 
They also have extensive network assets in the North East of the United States of America operating under ISO and Regional models. This experience places them in a good position to consider the relative merits of the various models currently being considered by the European Commission.
 
As Executive Director for Transmission, Nick Winser has responsibility for National Grid’s US and UK transmission activities and has worked extensively in the UK and US power industries. During the course of debate points to consider included
 
• Why is an ownership unbundled transmission network the best model to ensure efficient investment in network capacity to aid competitiveness and security of supply?
 
• Is an ISO model in gas possible?
 
• What should be the minimum criteria required for an ISO+ model? (a strengthened form of Independent System Operator)