Northern California CCA Selects SmartBidder™ to Optimize Bidding Operations for Daggett 3 Solar+Storage Project

A prominent Northern California CCA has selected the Ascend Analytics SmartBidder™ platform to optimize live bidding strategies for its fully operational Daggett 3 Solar+Storage Project near Daggett, California.

The Daggett 3 Project, which commenced commercial operations in late 2023, leverages the SmartBidder platform to maximize revenues in CASIO for the CCA, ensuring a positive return on their tolling agreement. As part of one of the largest operating solar and storage facilities in the country with multiple contractual offtakers, the CCA's portion of the project consists of 50 MW of solar PV and a 12.5 MW four-hour battery energy storage system (BESS).  Located near the Coolwater Generating Station, a former coal and gas-fired power plant, the Daggett facility utilizes existing infrastructure, including high-voltage substations and transmission lines, to transition from fossil fuel to renewable power generation.

"Ascend’s SmartBidder team is excited to partner with this Northern California CCA to achieve their goal of 100% clean power by 2030 by helping them optimize financial and environmental performance of their projects," stated Jeff Hartsough, Managing Director of Asset Operations for Ascend Analytics. "Leveraging Smartbidder also enables load-serving entities like this one to meet resource adequacy requirements while minimizing the risks inherent in market participation."

SmartBidder utilizes machine learning to continuously optimize day-ahead and real-time ISO bids. The result yield between 20% and 45% higher revenues as compared to competing bid operating solutions.