uptownstudios, Author at ZGlobal

Physics vs. Paperwork! Is California over-procuring?

Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “Casting into Summer,” Vol. XXIX, #17 (June 5, 2026)

Attending the recent 10-year anniversary conference of the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) in Sacramento was an eye-opener. The energy in the room (pardon the…
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It’s Finally here!

Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “The Ideals Among Us,” Vol. XXIX, #15 (May 15, 2026)

April 30, 2026, the successful launch of the Day-Ahead Market Enhancements (DAME) and the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). This transition represents the most significant shift…
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Electrons do not Care about CAISO Tariffs

Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “Webonize RA,” Vol. XXIX, #12 (April 17, 2026)

On April 7, 2026, the new 2025-2026 cycle of the CAISO transmission plan identified the need for 38 transmission projects, recommending an estimated total infrastructure…
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Powering Large Energy Loads with IID’s Network Integration Transmission Service (NITS)

Prepared by Jesse Montano

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is unique as a public power entity because it provides the option of supplying new energy loads from specific network…
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Transformer Cyclic Loading and Loss-of-Life Assessment and Case Study

Prepared by Ziad Alaywan P.E & Brian Rahman P.E.

introduction The purpose of this analysis is to validate the long-term thermal viability of operating the facility under the proposed 8,760-hour dispatch model. The Project…
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Is the bureaucracy actively plotting against us? Or maybe not!

Prepared by Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “We REST Our Case,” Vol. XXIX, #9 (March 20, 2026)

The electricity industry is navigating a perfect storm of macroeconomic, regulatory and environmental roadblocks as developers attempt to get new infrastructure built. It makes you…
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The Impact of Increased Renewable Energy Production on California Consumers: Challenge or Opportunity?

Prepared by ZGlobal Inc.

Introduction California’s remarkable renewable boom is reshaping the state and western energy landscape. Nearly 7,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy capacity were installed in…
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“Exporting at a Loss” Myth—California is Indeed Buying Low and Selling High!

Prepared by Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “The Bans in Town”, Vol. XXIX #6 February 13, 2026

There is a growing debate over whether California is overproducing renewable energy, forcing the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to either curtail renewable generation or…
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Musical Chairs!! Resource Adequacy Slice of Day Regime

Prepared by Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “Recycled Chicken Schmaltz,” Vol. XXIX, #2 (January 16, 2026)

There is a growing debate over whether California is overproducing renewable energy, forcing the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to either curtail renewable generation or…
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The SunZia Transmission Project and the CAISO’s New Subscriber Participating Transmission Owner (SPTO) Model is the Perfect Match

Prepared by Ziad Alaywan — Originally published in The Friday Burrito, “Recycled Chicken Schmaltz,” Vol. XXIX, #2 (January 16, 2026).

In addition to the perfect match from a transmission model perspective, New Mexico’s wind profile peaks in the evening and at night, which complements many…
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