Desert southwest electricity market

• The desert southwest has moderate winter and prolonged hot summers
• Mush of the year, the area has a surplus of generation capacity and is a major exporter of power to South California.
• Natural gas is the most common marginal fuel due to the abundant natural gas reserves, but coal and hydropower are relatively common too.
• The area also receives a great deal of sunlight, making it an attractive location for solar power.
• There are three major hubs for electricity trading in the area, and major power generation facilities are located near each hub.
• Mead: is located on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Lake Mead is the artificial lake formed when the Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River. The Hoover Dam is a major source of hydroelectric power and the primary delivery point for power in southern Nevada.
• Palo Verde: is located at a major nuclear power plant and switching yard about 45 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. Many high power lines to California are located at this switching yard.
• Four Corners: is located in northwestern New Mexico at the interconnection of several major transmission lines.