A Comprehensive Assessment of the Evolution of Financial Transmission Rights

Financial transmission rights (FTRs) are complementary to the locational marginal pricing of energy. The basic aim of the FTR mechanism is to guard forward contracts from uncertain congestion charges. FTRs are also useful to individual generators and loads for selling and buying power, respectively, at the prices of other locations. The concept has evolved, encompassing many features such as a simultaneous feasibility test, various ways to conduct auctions and allocations and secondary trading. FTRs also have a close relation to market power and transmission investment. This paper reviews most of the landmark research papers on the evolution of the FTR concept. It reports a comprehensive assessment of various facets of FTRs and allied issues. Financial transmission rights and flowgate rights (FGRs) are compared. The concept of long-term FTRs is discussed. The paper also touches upon future proposals in this area.