ERCOT staff told Texas regulators they plan to file two urgent protocol changes with the Board of Directors in their latest push to design a new ancillary service that further strengthens the grid’s resource adequacy.

Texas regulators approved ERCOT’s methodologies for determining minimum ancillary services for 2026 while hinting at the same time that they are considering discontinuing the use of conservative operations.

ERCOT can ensure long-term reliability with its energy-only market, but it must operate its grid less conservatively for that to happen, said Potomac Economics President David Patton.

ERCOT stakeholders and staff tabled a protocol revision request implementing a new ancillary service that faces a tight statutory timeline.

ERCOT staff said it faces a tight timeline to add a new ancillary service by Dec. 1, 2024, as required by the recent Texas legislative session.

ERCOT staff are reviewing the spate of electric-related legislation that was recently passed by Texas lawmakers.

The Texas Legislature is working to pass bills to facilitate fossil fuel energy generation but limit renewable energy generation.