Beta Engineering attended the Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) MISO South Regional Conference in New Orleans in February. The Gulf Coast Power Association is a regional electric power trade organization that educates its members about issues impacting contemporary power markets. GCPA’s Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) South Regional Conference focused on the ongoing challenges to MISO South and the Louisiana and gulf coast regions.

Economist Dr. Loren Scott delivered the opening keynote address and MISO President and CEO John Bear addressed the effects of market integration. Experts from ERCOT, MISO and SPP also discussed the challenges of building transmission and power resources to supply the growing load.

Topics of discussion included gulf coast industrial growth, regulatory overlaps and coordination, regional planning with MISO South and neighboring regions, and regional environmental planning.

“This event was a great opportunity to learn about the latest happenings in the gulf coast power markets,” said Kevin Tilley, Beta’s Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. “The topics covered, ranging from the economic analysis by Dr. Scott to the MISO planning discussions, helped provide insight for our strategic planning.”