Real-Time Hourly Prices for
September 20, 2020

• When to Shift Usage Open or Close

  In general, the most important time to shift usage is during hot summer afternoons. During the fall, winter, and spring, prices on ComEd’s Hourly Pricing typically remain low, but can spike due to extreme weather conditions. We broadcast three prices to help you track hourly prices: The real-time hourly market price, the current hour average price, and the day-ahead hourly market price.

  Automate your savings with IFTTT (If This Then That), a convenient automation tool to help you take control of your energy costs. Pair your smart home technology with the IFTTT applet and take advantage of energy savings opportunities. Learn more by visiting ComEd’s IFTTT page.

• Real-Time Hourly Market Price and Current Hour Average Price Open or Close

  Hourly Pricing participants are billed on the PJM real-time hourly market prices. ComEd allows you to purchase electricity at the current market price without markup.

  The real-time hourly market price is determined by the average of the twelve 5-minute prices from that hour, and so the averaged real-time hourly price is not known until after the hour has passed.

  The current hour average price is the real-time average of the current hour’s 5-minute prices. For additional details on the current hour, click on the “5-Minute Prices” button at the top of the pricing graph.

• Day-Ahead Hourly Market Price Open or Close

  The PJM day-ahead hourly market price provides an indication of what the real-time hourly market prices could be for the following or current day. Remember, as an Hourly Pricing participant, you are billed on the real-time hourly price, not the day-ahead market price.

• Negative Prices Open or Close

  With real-time hourly market prices, it is possible for the price of electricity to be negative for short periods of time. This typically occurs in the middle of the night and under certain circumstances when electricity supply is far greater than demand.

  In the market, some types of electricity generators cannot or prefer not to reduce electricity output for short periods of time when demand is insufficient, and as a result some generators may provide electricity to the market at prices below zero.

  Since Hourly Pricing participants pay the market price of electricity, they are actually being paid to use electricity during negative priced hours. Delivery charges still apply.

• Typical Pricing Patterns Open or Close

  Average prices over 24-hour time frame

  Typical pricing patterns based on average prices for January 2018 through August 2023.

  

   

  • Hourly prices typically follow predictable seasonal patterns, so it can be easy to shift your energy use and save money.
  • On average, hourly prices are lower during times of lower electricity demand, such as mornings, nights, and weekends.
  • To maximize your savings during the summer, reduce your energy use during the afternoons.
  • During the winter, spring, and fall, manage your energy bills by reducing energy use in the early mornings and evenings.

   

Please note: The prices provided above are for informational purposes only. All real-time hourly market prices go through a 24-hour settlement period where the final (billing) prices are settled. The prices provided are the most accurate prices available from PJM at the current time and there may be times when prices are not available for a given hour or 5-minute interval.