Texas Staff Propose Questions, Workshop to Consider Potential for ERCOT Real-Time Co-optimization

Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have developed a list of proposed questions for stakeholder comment regarding real-time co-optimization of the ERCOT market (Project 41837).

Staff asked for Commission guidance regarding the questions and overall co-optimization project at the November 15 open meeting, including the Commission's input as to any changes or additions to the proposed questions.

Staff intends to hold a workshop on the co-optimization project on January 28, 2014.

Staff's proposed questions are:

1) What is the comparative value of proceeding with implementation of some form of real-time co-optimization, in light of the potential costs and disruption to other ongoing projects?

2) What are the arguments in favor of implementing the minimum approach, the maximum approach, a subset of the maximum approach, or an alternative approach, particularly with regard to single or multi-interval dispatch and the configuration of ancillary services?

3) To what extent does the Operating Reserve Demand Curve, currently being implemented by ERCOT, approximate the benefits of the various forms of real-time co-optimization, such that additional market enhancement becomes unnecessary?

4) How would the implementation of co-optimization affect ERCOT's potential redesign of ancillary services products in terms of project duration and material interaction between the two efforts?

5) What other issues should the Commission consider in evaluating the need for implementation of real-time co-optimization?