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07 February 2025
Brandt VermillionBrandt Vermillion

ERCOT: A guide to Real-Time Co-Optimization

Executive Summary

  • Real-Time Co-Optimization (RTC) could have reduced ERCOT system costs by nearly $6.5 billion between June 2023 and May 2024—a 19% saving.
  • Under RTC, Energy and Ancillary Service awards will be made every five minutes in Real-Time, rather than being made solely in the Day-Ahead Market, increasing system flexibility.
  • Battery storage systems will be modeled as a single integrated resource in ERCOT’s market, simplifying operations and allowing for greater trading flexibility.

Subscribers to Modo Energy’s Research will also find out:

  • How Ancillary Service Demand Curves (ASDCs) will replace the ORDC and impact scarcity pricing.
  • The pros and cons of ERCOT’s vs. the Independent Market Monitor’s proposed ASDC designs.
  • The timeline for RTC implementation and key milestones leading up to the December 2025 go-live date.

To get full access to Modo Energy’s Research, book a call with a member of the team today.

Watch the video the get a flavor of the full report.

Real-Time Co-Optimization could lead to a 19% decrease in system costs

The implementation of Real-Time Co-Optimization (RTC) means that ERCOT will begin to award Ancillary Service responsibility in the Real-Time Market, in addition to the Day-Ahead Market.

In a recent study, ERCOT found that RTC could have saved nearly $6.5 billion across the 12-month period from June 2023 through May 2024 - a 19% decrease in total costs.

And, across a less volatile period (September 2023 through August 2024), RTC would still have saved - or of total system costs.

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