Energy Analytics Power and Renewables

SPP Market Analysis: High Congestion Impacts Hub Price Spread

byManas Trivedi

We have seen that windy days in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) market increase North Hub and South Hub price differences. We investigated and analyzed this market behavior with Panorama. In the below publication screenshot, we can see a huge hub price spread on June 23, a windy day in SPP region. High transmission congestion in the south has a bullish effect on the South Hub prices.

Our constraint study module gives a quick list of the high-impact binding constraints for the hub spread between April 16-June 15. The below chart shows that the Cimarron (345/1 KV) transformer in central Oklahoma is highly bullish for the hub price spread. 

Additionally, the chart below shows that the same Cimarron (345/1 KV) transformer is binding whenever the wind production is strong in the OKGE, SEC and SPS regions. High wind generation in southern plains during high load hours in OKGE, CSWS and WFEC is the main reason for binding events of this constraint. Additionally, an ongoing long-term 138KV transmission outage is also causing this constraint to bind. The Cimarron transformer is frequently binding after the Traverse Wind Energy Center, a  new wind resource west of this transformer, came online earlier this year. 

SPP Outage

The below system map is showing this constraint’s location and its effects on central Oklahoma area. Constraint Exposure (PTDF) module in Panorama calculates the shift factor on a node, load zone or hub due to a binding constraint. Shift factor analysis shows that the Cimarron (345/1KV) transformer binding constraint is highly bullish for South Hub and bearish for North Hub prices.

As you can see, Panorama is a great tool to analyze market behavior and issues. It provides fast and accurate results for all the nodes, load zones and hubs dynamic power market caused by renewable resources. It provides insight into congestion drivers and information for historical binding events. It can be used to explore market conditions for thousands of different scenarios..

To learn more or see this analysis in action, check out this on-demand webinar, “Managing Transmission and Congestion Volatility in the Wholesale Market.”

Picture of Manas Trivedi

Manas Trivedi

Manas is the Senior Power Market Analyst at Enverus. Manas previously worked as a Sr. Market Operations Engineer at ERCOT, where he was a subject matter expert in Congestion Revenue Rights modeling and analysis. Prior to that, he was an Applications Developer at ERCOT. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University.

Subscribe to the Enverus Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Related Content

Enverus Intelligence® Research Press Release - Waha prices expected to go negative (again)
Midstream
ByEnverus

Midstream is caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, gathering and pipeline operators, processors, storage and energy marketers face abundant opportunities and challenges when meeting customer demand.

Enverus Intelligence Research Press Release - Upstream M&A sails to $17 billion in 1Q25
Energy Transition
ByAdam Robinson, Enverus Intelligence® | Research (EIR) Contributor

The White House recently released its AI Action Plan, a broad policy roadmap designed to cement American leadership in artificial intelligence. The plan includes sweeping executive orders aimed at removing regulatory barriers to accelerate infrastructure development, particularly in energy and...

Enverus_Press_Release_Power_Energy_Transition_MandA_Thumbnail
Energy Transition
ByAdam Robinson, Enverus Intelligence® | Research (EIR) Contributor

A combined $92 billion in energy and artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments were announced across Pennsylvania last week, with projects ranging from new data centers to natural gas plants and grid modernization efforts.

Enverus Press Release - Welcome to EVOLVE 2025: Where visionaries converge to shape the future of energy
Power and Renewables
ByColton Wright

As demand for AI, cloud computing and digital infrastructure continues to surge, hyperscale data centers have quickly become some of the largest and fastest-growing energy consumers in North America. For developers, grid operators and investors, knowing where the biggest loads are concentrated...

Breaking news alert on the impact on oil prices due to Israel attacking Iran
Power and Renewables
ByColton Wright

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has changed the game for renewable energy developers. With fewer subsidies to fall back on, developers are being pushed to rethink where and how they build projects. It’s no longer about chasing tax...

Enverus Intelligence Research Press Release - Upstream M&A sails to $17 billion in 1Q25
Power and Renewables
ByPascale Abou Moussa

Have you ever wanted to instantly move, add or delete structures in your solar designs and get real-time data about how those adjustments affect your DC output? Do you wish you could reposition roads and electrical routes or play with...

Enverus Press Release - Enverus releases Investor Analytics: Refined, actionable financial insights at your fingertips
Power and Renewables
ByDaniel Manfre Jaimes

In the dynamic landscape of energy markets, accurate load forecasting is essential for informed decision-making. Enverus power forecasting solutions have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, particularly during extreme weather events and critical peak demand periods. Complementing this reliability, our ongoing commitment...

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could change clean energy tax credit economics
Energy Transition
ByAlex Nevokshonoff, Senior Analyst, Enverus Intelligence® | Research (EIR) Contributor

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, introduces sweeping changes to U.S. energy policy, significantly altering the tax credit landscape for clean energy projects.

Enverus Press Release - Upstream M&A climbs to $105 billion in 2024
Trading and Risk
ByKiana Cruz

In today’s fast-paced markets; traders don’t just need data, they need decisions. At EVOLVE 2025, the Trading & Risk session, “AI-Powered Trading Intelligence: Streamlining Decision Workflows,” spotlighted how artificial intelligence is evolving from a buzzword to a business-critical tool for...

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Sign up for our Blog

Register Today

Sign Up

Power Your Insights

Connect with an Expert

Access Product Tour

Speak to an Expert