AECI Taps New Tech to Master Grid Complexity for 2.1M Members

NORMAN, Okla. – May 21, 2026 – Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), a major power provider for more than 2.1 million people in the Midwest, has successfully modernized its complex energy trading and management operations by implementing a next-generation platform from PCI Energy Solutions. The move represents a significant digital leap, unifying the cooperative's vast power and natural gas activities across multiple markets into a single, streamlined ecosystem.

This strategic transition to PCI’s Power Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) platform is designed to tame the immense complexity of AECI's operating environment. The cooperative is tasked with ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for its members across Missouri, northeast Oklahoma, and southeast Iowa, a mission that requires navigating one of the most intricate energy landscapes in North America.

Navigating a Fragmented Power Grid

Unlike utilities that operate within a single, centralized Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), AECI functions in a hybrid environment within the Eastern Interconnect. This vast grid territory is a patchwork of different organized markets—such as PJM, MISO, and SPP—and regions that rely heavily on direct, negotiated power sales known as bilateral contracts. This structure creates significant operational hurdles, including managing transactions across the “seams” between different market zones, where rules and costs can vary dramatically.

Adding another layer of complexity is AECI's participation in the Southeastern Energy Exchange Market (SEEM), a newer platform designed to facilitate faster bilateral trading among member utilities every 15 minutes. While intended to modernize trade and help integrate renewable energy, SEEM operates alongside traditional bilateral agreements and the more structured RTO markets, forcing participants like AECI to manage a diverse and often disjointed portfolio.

This fragmented system has historically required juggling multiple systems and manual processes to track trades, schedule power delivery, and manage financial risk. Such an approach can create operational bottlenecks, increase the risk of errors, and limit a utility's ability to react quickly to volatile market conditions.

A Unified Digital Solution for a Complex Problem

To address these challenges, AECI sought a solution that could consolidate its sprawling operations. The newly implemented PCI ETRM platform provides a centralized hub for all of the cooperative's trading, scheduling, and risk management workflows.

"Associated's members depend on us to steward their generating and transmission portfolio to manage risk and capture value across every market we operate in. And we work in many — PJM, MISO, SPP, SEEM, bilaterals, and more," said Chris Lazzaro, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Associated. “We needed a platform that could handle that complexity without adding to it. PCI delivered a single platform for all our trading and settlement needs, providing a foundation we can build on and innovate with for years to come.”

The implementation marks a pivotal shift from fragmented data and processes to an integrated, holistic view of the cooperative’s market position. By automating the connection between physical trades, electronic scheduling tags (e-Tags), and financial settlements, the system is designed to eliminate manual data entry and reduce the potential for costly errors.

From Manual Bottlenecks to Real-Time Decisions

The most significant advantage of the new system is the move toward real-time operational intelligence. AECI now has enhanced visibility into critical data points that were previously difficult to aggregate, including sub-hourly electricity pricing, transmission congestion and losses, and its integrated position across all participating ISOs and RTOs.

This real-time insight is a game-changer. In an era of increasing price volatility and intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the ability to make rapid, data-driven decisions is paramount. The platform enables traders and schedulers to optimize AECI's generation assets more effectively, ensuring that the lowest-cost and most reliable power is dispatched to meet member demand. This capability not only helps manage costs but also strengthens grid reliability for the communities it serves.

“Associated operates in one of the most unique and demanding power regions in the country,” added Shailesh Mishra, Chief Commercial Officer at PCI. “This go-live demonstrates PCI’s commitment to empowering sophisticated utilities with tools that transform operational complexity into a competitive advantage. We are proud to help Associated modernize its critical infrastructure while driving measurable value for its members.”

This modernization effort reflects a broader industry trend where utilities and cooperatives are increasingly turning to advanced software to manage the mounting pressures of a transitioning energy grid. As the push for decarbonization introduces more variable renewable resources and market structures continue to evolve, sophisticated digital tools are no longer a luxury but a necessity for ensuring both economic efficiency and grid stability.

For AECI, this technological upgrade is more than just an internal efficiency project. It is a foundational investment in its core mission to provide reliable, affordable, and responsible power. By harnessing the power of data and automation, the cooperative is better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of the modern energy market, manage risks effectively, and continue delivering value to its member-owners for years to come. This digital transformation underscores a fundamental shift in the energy sector, where sophisticated software has become as critical as physical infrastructure in keeping the lights on for communities across the nation.