Core Viewpoint - The development of the spot market has become an important means of optimizing resource allocation in China's electricity market, marking significant progress since the initiation of the national unified electricity market reform [1][2]. Group 1: Progress in Electricity Market Construction - The construction of the electricity spot market in China has made positive progress since the pilot began in 2017, evolving from non-existence to a comprehensive system [1]. - 2023 is recognized as a landmark year for the preliminary establishment of the national unified electricity market, with significant achievements in cross-regional trading mechanisms and market operations [2]. - The electricity market has achieved collaborative continuous operation between provincial and intra-provincial markets, forming a preliminary market structure that integrates medium- and long-term, spot, and ancillary services [2]. Group 2: Importance of Spot Market - The electricity spot market has become a crucial avenue for optimizing resource allocation, contributing positively to supply security, consumption promotion, and energy transition [2]. - During the peak summer load period, the national grid's electricity load reached a record high of 1.235 billion kilowatts, an increase of 0.055 billion kilowatts compared to the previous summer [3]. Group 3: New Energy Integration - The promotion of new energy's participation in market transactions is a key focus, with nearly 650 billion kilowatt-hours of new energy participating in market transactions from January to August 2023, a year-on-year increase of over 30% [4]. - The green electricity and green certificate market is thriving, with green electricity consumption reaching 597.7 billion kilowatt-hours from January to July 2023, a year-on-year increase of 42.69% [4]. Group 4: Challenges and Recommendations - The rapid development of new energy poses challenges in safety and consumption, leading to issues of "too much and too little" energy supply [5]. - Recommendations include accelerating the construction of a national unified electricity market to enhance new energy absorption and establishing a multi-value market system to ensure reliable electricity supply [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of deepening energy management reforms and establishing a unified national electricity market in China, highlighting the rapid progress in electricity market construction and the need for further exploration and practice in various regions [2][8]. Group 1: Electricity Market System Construction - The article outlines the key focus areas for the next steps in electricity market system construction, including the optimization of the spot market trading mechanism and the encouragement of new energy sources and innovative entities to participate in the market [3][4]. - It discusses the establishment of a comprehensive design plan for various trading products, including energy, ancillary services, and capacity compensation mechanisms, to enhance market functionality and integration [3][5]. Group 2: Risk Prevention and Operational Capability - The article highlights the need for improved risk prevention and operational capabilities in the electricity market due to the evolving market environment and increased operational risks [4][5]. - It proposes the establishment of a market evaluation indicator system to monitor market structure, behavior, and performance, facilitating timely identification of operational issues and enhancing risk management [5]. Group 3: Retail Market Development - The article identifies new opportunities for retail market development alongside the steady progress of the electricity spot market, emphasizing the need for improvements in price transmission mechanisms, market competition, and transparency [6][7]. - It outlines three key requirements for retail market construction: enriching trading methods, enhancing price transmission between wholesale and retail markets, and increasing market transparency [7].