Erika Bierschbach, Vice President of Energy Market Operations & Resource Planning, Austin Energy
Speaker Biography
Erika Bierschbach is Vice President of Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning at Austin Energy.
Erika is responsible for the utility’s physical and financial power portfolio in the ERCOT wholesale electric market, including Austin Energy’s Real Time, Day Ahead and Forward market desks. Erika is responsible for the origination of the utility’s renewable power purchase agreements, and serves as the Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) for Austin Energy’s owned and contracted resources. She is also responsible for Resource Planning at Austin Energy which includes achieving the Climate Protection and Affordability goals established by City Council and Austin Energy.
Erika Bierschbach has more than 25 years of experience in energy markets, including positions in energy risk management at Enron Capital and Trade and Duke Energy Trading and Marketing. Erika joined Austin Energy in 2001 to develop, implement and later manage the utility’s energy hedging program. Erika’s prior positions at Austin Energy include Manager of Energy Supply and Risk Management as well as both Manager and Director of Energy Market Operations. Erika has originated over 2,250 Megawatts of renewable energy contracts during her tenure at Austin Energy.
Abstract
As renewable power continues to impact the electric industry, municipal utilities have unique characteristics that shape the destiny of these intermittent resources and may help the success these intermittent resources have on our electric systems given the advantages and challenges this form of energy brings to the electric sector.