Associated Modernizes Power and Gas Operations with PCI’s Advanced ETRM Platform
Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (Associated) has successfully completed a major modernization initiative by transitioning its multi-market power and natural gas operations onto PCI Energy Solutions’ next-generation Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) platform. The move represents a significant step forward in Associated’s efforts to streamline operations, improve market coordination, and strengthen risk management capabilities across a highly complex energy portfolio.
The implementation brings together Associated’s power trading, natural gas scheduling, settlements, and risk management activities into a single integrated platform. Designed specifically to support the demanding operational requirements of utilities working across multiple markets, the system creates a scalable and flexible ecosystem capable of handling the increasing complexity of modern energy operations within the Eastern Interconnect.
The transition is particularly important for Associated because of the unique nature of its operating environment. Unlike many utilities that function largely within a single Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), Associated operates across a wide range of organized and bilateral energy markets. This requires constant coordination between multiple systems, schedules, transmission requirements, and settlement processes.
By deploying PCI’s modern Power Scheduling and ETRM capabilities, Associated has established a unified operational framework that connects physical energy trades, electronic tagging processes, transmission management, and downstream financial settlements. The result is a more efficient and transparent workflow that reduces operational friction while supporting faster decision-making.
The new platform replaces a range of manual and fragmented processes that previously required significant coordination between departments and market systems. With real-time access to critical operational data, Associated can now better manage rapidly changing market conditions while improving overall reliability and efficiency.
One of the key advantages of the implementation is enhanced visibility into sub-hourly pricing dynamics and transmission losses. Energy markets are becoming increasingly volatile as renewable generation expands and load patterns become more dynamic. Having access to near real-time information allows utilities to respond more effectively to changing conditions and optimize power flows across their systems.
The platform also improves Associated’s ability to participate seamlessly in multiple ISO and RTO markets. Associated’s operational footprint spans several major organized markets, including PJM, MISO, SPP, and SEEM, in addition to bilateral trading environments. Coordinating activity across these regions presents a significant challenge because each market operates under different rules, timelines, scheduling practices, and settlement procedures.
PCI’s integrated solution helps simplify this complexity by consolidating market interactions into a centralized system. Traders, schedulers, and risk managers can now work within a unified environment instead of relying on disconnected tools and manual processes. This integration improves operational accuracy while reducing the potential for errors and inefficiencies.
Comprehensive risk management is another central component of the modernization effort. Energy trading organizations face growing exposure to price volatility, transmission congestion, fuel cost fluctuations, and evolving regulatory requirements. Managing these risks effectively requires accurate and timely data combined with sophisticated analytical tools.
The PCI platform delivers expanded risk management and data service capabilities that enable Associated to monitor exposures more effectively and make informed decisions across its portfolio. Centralized data management also improves reporting consistency and operational transparency, supporting better strategic planning and long-term portfolio optimization.
Chris Lazzaro, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Associated, emphasized the importance of the implementation in supporting the cooperative’s long-term mission and operational strategy.
“Associated’s members depend on us to steward their generating and transmission portfolio to manage risk and capture value across every market we operate in,” Lazzaro said. “And we work in many — PJM, MISO, SPP, SEEM, bilaterals, and more. We needed a platform that could handle that complexity without adding to it.”
According to Lazzaro, the organization sought a solution that would not only address current operational challenges but also create a flexible foundation for future innovation and growth.
“PCI delivered a single platform for all our trading and settlement needs, providing a foundation we can build on and innovate with for years to come,” he added.
The implementation highlights a broader trend occurring across the energy sector as utilities and power market participants increasingly invest in digital infrastructure modernization. The growing integration of renewable energy resources, battery storage systems, distributed generation, and evolving transmission requirements has significantly increased the complexity of market participation and grid operations.
Utilities are under pressure to improve operational agility while maintaining reliability and controlling costs. Modern ETRM platforms are becoming critical tools for achieving those objectives because they help organizations automate workflows, improve market visibility, and enhance risk oversight.
PCI Energy Solutions has positioned itself as a provider focused on helping utilities navigate these operational challenges. The company’s technology platform is designed to support energy trading, scheduling, settlements, optimization, and risk management within a unified architecture.
Shailesh Mishra, Chief Commercial Officer at PCI, noted that Associated represents one of the most operationally demanding utility environments in the United States.
“Associated operates in one of the most unique and demanding power regions in the country,” Mishra said. “This go-live demonstrates PCI’s commitment to empowering sophisticated utilities with tools that transform operational complexity into a competitive advantage.”
He added that the successful deployment reflects the growing importance of modern digital infrastructure in utility operations.
“We are proud to help Associated modernize its critical infrastructure while driving measurable value for its members,” Mishra stated.
The successful implementation also underscores the increasing importance of interoperability and scalability in utility technology systems. As market structures evolve and new technologies enter the grid, utilities require platforms capable of adapting quickly without requiring large-scale operational disruptions.
Integrated systems can provide long-term advantages by enabling organizations to respond more rapidly to policy changes, market volatility, and emerging energy technologies. This flexibility is becoming especially valuable as the energy transition accelerates and utilities face growing pressure to balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability objectives simultaneously.
For Associated, the PCI implementation establishes a modern digital backbone capable of supporting future operational enhancements. The platform’s scalable design allows the cooperative to expand capabilities over time while maintaining centralized visibility and control across its trading and scheduling functions.
The modernization effort may also contribute to improved member value by increasing operational efficiency, reducing manual processing requirements, and enhancing market responsiveness. Better coordination across multiple energy markets can help optimize portfolio performance while improving the organization’s ability to manage costs and risks.
As utilities continue adapting to an increasingly interconnected and data-driven energy landscape, investments in integrated ETRM and scheduling technologies are expected to become more common. Organizations operating across multiple market structures face particularly strong incentives to modernize systems capable of supporting faster decision-making and more efficient coordination.
Associated’s transition to PCI’s next-generation platform reflects this broader industry evolution, demonstrating how utilities are leveraging advanced digital solutions to manage growing operational complexity while positioning themselves for long-term market participation and innovation.
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