PUCT Staff File Draft to Allow ERCOT to Conduct Pilot Projects for New Technologies

PUCT Staff have filed a draft Proposal for Publication to amend P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.361 in order to give ERCOT the authority to conduct pilot projects to evaluate new and emerging technologies, such as energy storage projects, to determine the benefits that these technologies may bring to the ERCOT system (40150).

The proposed rule would allow ERCOT to grant temporary waivers or exceptions from ERCOT rules, as necessary to effectuate the purposes of the pilot project.

Specifically, Staff's draft language provides:

"ERCOT may conduct pilot projects to provide a temporary platform to evaluate resources, technologies, and processes that demonstrate the potential to advance the operational and market functions of the ERCOT system. The pilot projects will allow ERCOT to validate performance claims of alternative technologies, evaluate the extent to which new technologies or processes can provide services that comply with federal and state reliability standards, and review how resources perform in various operational and market scenarios. As part of a pilot project, ERCOT may grant temporary exceptions from ERCOT rules, as necessary to effectuate the purposes of the pilot project. ERCOT may use information gained from pilot projects to inform the development of permanent changes to ERCOT rules."

Pilot projects would be required to be approved by the ERCOT board. Proposals for approval of pilot projects shall be made to the governing board only by ERCOT staff, after consultation with affected market participants and Commission Staff designated by the executive director.