Reduced transmission grid representation using the St. Clair curve applied to the electric reliability council of Texas

This paper applies a grid reduction method that is based on the St. Clair curve to create a transmission approximation of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT, the grid operator of the state of Texas, US) for use in a unit commitment and dispatch UC&D model. Comparison with known transmission limitations suggests that the approximation error might be too great for the approximation method to be used in an UC&D model. This paper discusses the method, its advantages compared to existing work in the field, its limitations and possible improvements for future usage.