Grid Security through Load Reduction in the ERCOT Market

As an independent system operator (ISO), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is responsible for the security and reliability of the ERCOT grid. Participation by load in the restructured ERCOT market is viewed as a means of enhancing competition in those markets by mitigating unwarranted price spikes. Customers with interruptible loads that can meet various performance requirements can qualify to provide operating reserves under the load acting as a resource (LaaR) program. Qualified LaaR can participate into various ancillary services to maintain and enhance the system reliability. This paper introduces a successful LaaR program in the ERCOT market, and discusses operation experiences that maintain and enhance system security through load participation in the LaaR program.