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ABOUT THE ASK THE ISO EXPERT SERIES
Energy is no longer just a cost, it’s a competitive advantage.
But only a fraction of large energy users know that they can bypass the utility and brokers and buy power directly from the Independent System Operator (ISO), the wholesale market where utilities and retail suppliers themselves buy power.The ISO Insider Series: A Clear Guide to ISO Markets and Wholesale Procurement
This an educational video series hosted by Eugene Garcia, President of ECM Energy Management Services, who has spent 20 years in the ISO world helping large enterprises secure power capacity, reduce volatility, and save millions.
What you need to know
In each episode, he answers the questions he hears most often: where do prices come from, what are market drivers, when does wholesale access makes sense, and how to move forward efficiently and cost-effectively?
Next level insights
Here’s what most big
companies Don’t know.
Most organizations think they only have two energy options
Utility
Retail contract (every 1-3 years)
The truth: they all buy from the same wholesale market, the ISO.
Retail suppliers simply add margins, risk premiums, and broker fees on top of wholesale ISO pricing.
Through our Ask the ISO Expert series, you’ll learn how large energy users can:
- Buy energy at wholesale pricing, historically reducing cost by 10% on average, with 5–25% potential depending on region and year
- Secure power capacity more quickly, especially for data centers facing capacity constraints
- Improve demand response cash flow and savings, the credit gets deducted directly from the ISO invoice
- Accelerate renewable strategy and lower REC costs by managing RECs and projects at the wholesale level
- Gain full price transparency, no retail premiums “This isn’t about taking on risk — it’s about taking back control by cutting out the middleman.”
Who is this series For
Senior decision makers responsible for energy, risk or facilities.
Energy
Data centers (hyperscale, colocation, cloud and enterprise); Commercial Real Estate & REIT, Healthcare Systems and Financial Institutions.
Data Centers
Large consumers of energy and client end users.
Healthcare Systems
Geographic focus: PJM • NYISO • ISO-NE • ERCOT If your annual load is 20M+ kWh per utility, you now qualify to operate at the wholesale level.
Geographic focus
What You’ll See In Season 1
Episode 1: The ISO Energy Opportunity
What the ISO is, how wholesale pricing really works, and how organizations get access.
Episode 2: ISO Member Advantages
Learn how ISO participation provides insight, influence, and advantage.
Episode 3: ISO Direct vs Retail
Wholesale access vs. retail contracts, transparency, and seven-figure savings potential.
What's Coming In Season 2
Season 2 (2026) is designed for sophisticated buyers who are already exploring ISO Direct and are ready to go deeper. Potential future episodes may include:
- ISO member advantage for securing capacity – regulatory Insights and member prioritization
- improved Financial Performance of Renewable Energy Strategies with an ISO membership foundation
- Integrated supply + demand + sustainability optimization
- Structuring ISO membership for multi-state operations
Why Watch Now
If your organization is scaling, electrifying, or pursuing aggressive sustainability goals:
- ISO Direct helps you reduce cost, increase transparency, and secure power
- Most enterprises don’t know this option exists, your competitors don’t either
- First movers unlock the advantages