GATS Functionality

Need for GATS | Functionality of GATS

GATS is both policy neutral to the greatest possible extent and supports a variety of state policies and voluntary green markets. GATS is an “unbundled,” certificates-based tracking system: the attributes or characteristics of the generation are separated from the megawatt-hour of energy and recorded onto a certificate after the electricity is produced. One certificate with a unique serial number represents the attributes of the generation for each megawatt-hour produced.

A certificates approach provides an efficient process for load serving entities to develop specific products for retail consumers with a high degree of certainty that their product claims can be verified. For owners of generation a certificates approach provides a means to precisely measure the value to the retail consumer of particular attributes of each generation unit. For state agencies seeking effective ways to implement policies and regulations a certificates approach and central database provide a means to monitor, verify and document compliance.

The GATS database contains megawatt-hour generation information for each individual PJM generation unit. GATS will create generator-specific electronic certificates that identify the relevant generation attributes necessary for electricity suppliers to satisfy state policies and to support voluntary green markets. The major data included in the GATS database are:

• meter information from the PJM Markets Settlements database,
• emissions data (primarily sourced from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and supplemented from other sources, as available, to improve accuracy and/or timeliness), and
• static information, such as fuel source, location, state program qualification.

The system will collect information on all generation resources located in PJM region, all megawatt-hours produced and all load served within the PJM region. The system is designed to collect information and track ownership of imports of certificates to the PJM system in the same manner, whether from other control areas or from behind-the-meter resources, such as solar power. All certificate transfers will be recorded in GATS.

GATS:

• ensures accurate accounting and reporting of generation attributes,
• facilitates bilateral transactions of the attributes via certificates between market participants,
• supports the current requirements of various state agencies
• has the flexibility to accommodate varied and evolving state policies or programs,
• mitigates seams issues with adjoining markets to allow the potential of trading certificates across regions, and
• promotes a robust market for electricity from renewable sources.