Episode 1 - Welcome to MISO Soup, this week's guest is Simon Mahan

Welcome to MISO Soup, a bi weekly discussion about North America's largest transmission operators and electricity markets, and how it can be a key to unlocking deep decarbonization. Every episode we’ll tell you what’s been happening and what’s to come at MISO followed by an interview with an expert or stakeholder in MISO matters. 

This week, on our first episode, host Logan Burke speaks with Simon Mahan, executive director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA). Tune in for a discussion about MISO basics, problems, and future plans. 
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What is MISO, what does it do, and why should we care?

MISO is a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). Which means it basically operates as the traffic cop for power generation and its footprint; they are our grid operator. MISO is the biggest market like this in the country. There are a lot of different things they do, but primarily they serve as an efficient way to move power around and plan for future transmission. If you want more renewables you are going to have to go through MISO. 
                                                                                                                                                                                 Simon Mahan

​MISO was created a little over 20 years ago, but MISO South was only added to the system in 2013. What does this mean for Louisianans now, having joined an RTO only 7 years ago? 

​We have a real problem, particularly in the south, where it is difficult to move power between the southern portion of MISO and the northern portion of MISO...Essentially there is a bottleneck between the north and south.
                                                                                                                                                                                 Simon Mahan

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About Simon Mahan

Simon Mahan is the executive director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA). ​Simon works closely with large scale renewable developers in the South - including Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky. A lot of the work he does focuses on Public Service Commissions and Integrated Resource Portfolios (IRPs) by the utilities. Additionally, as part of his role he is a stakeholder in MISO stakeholder groups. 
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