Blog

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)
June 8, 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)
May 29, 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)
May 29, 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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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)
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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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)
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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