Reactive market power analysis using must-run indices

This paper investigates the issues of reactive power must-run capacity in power system operations, hence in electricity markets. A must-run index-based method is proposed in the paper to measure the market power held by reactive power suppliers. The Nordic 32-bus system and the IEEE 118-bus system are used to test the proposed method. The market power holders of reactive power found using the proposed method are in accord with that found in the realistic Nordic system operation and in the existing analysis of IEEE 118-bus system. The paper identifies through must-run indices possible conditions that could lead to market power in the case of applying a bid structure within a market framework. Furthermore, market structure drawbacks can cause the appearance of market power even in a topologically ideal system. Index Terms--Electricity market, market power, must-run index, reactive power.