What is the purpose of the Energy Management System (EMS) in PJM operations?

The Energy Management System (EMS) is crucial in PJM operations as it serves to manage and control the electric grid and generation resources. This system allows operators to monitor and analyze real-time data regarding the supply and demand of electricity, ensuring that the generation and transmission of electricity are balanced and reliable. It plays a critical role in maintaining the stability of the grid, enables efficient dispatch of generation resources to meet load requirements, and facilitates rapid response to changing conditions. By providing tools for visualization and analysis, the EMS ensures that operators can make informed decisions to optimize grid performance, minimize outages, and enhance the overall reliability of electricity delivery.

While forecasting power prices, facilitating customer billing, and conducting regulatory compliance audits are important functions in the broader context of electricity markets and operations, they are not the primary purpose of the EMS. Instead, these functions involve other systems and processes within the PJM framework. The EMS focuses specifically on the operational aspects of grid management, making option B the most accurate representation of its purpose.