ERCOT at a Glance is an electronic summary of the timely and topical events going on within the organization. ERCOT at a Glance will update employees on the newsworthy and noteworthy events and accomplishments related to the business of ERCOT. We are seeking milestones, accomplishments and everyday news. If you’ve got important stories or information to share with us, please provide us with your news in electronic summary format, after first coordinating with the managers and directors in your area. We welcome your summaries (due by 5 p.m. on Thursday of each week) and look forward to hearing from you.

Highest Level to Date Reported for Retail Transaction Success Rates

The 2nd Qtr 2004 report which measures the performance of retail market transactions, recently displayed the highest level of retail transaction success rates (within protocol compliance) demonstrated market-wide to date. The PUCT rules require ERCOT to file a quarterly report measuring the performance of retail market transactions in relation to the protocols. Not only does ERCOT report on its own protocol compliance performance, the PUCT requires ERCOT to also report on market participant compliance.  Below are some of the highlights:

• Switch transactions were processed by ERCOT within protocol at an average rate of 99.9%.  TDSP transactions were reported within protocol at an average rate of 99.6%.  CR related transactions came in at a rate of 99.9% within protocol.
• Move-In transactions were processed by ERCOT within protocol at an average rate of 96.4%.  TDSP transactions were reported within protocol at an average rate of 97.8%.  CR related transactions came in at a rate of 99.8% within protocol. (Move-In transactions have stricter protocol times than Switch transactions).
• Drop to AREP transactions were processed by ERCOT within protocol at an average rate of 99.9%.  TDSP transactions were reported within protocol at an average rate of 99.8%.  CR related transactions came in at a rate of 100% within protocol.

*For more information, contact Dale Goodman at x 3966

ERCOT Issues RFP For the Day Ahead Market

ERCOT recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Day Ahead Market. This new market feature will provide an alternative for the market to trade power on a short-term basis. Key dates, as noted in the RFP, are as follows:

Current RFPs can also be accessed on the ERCOT Web site.

*For more information, contact Pamela Dautel at x3955

Contractor/Consultant Access Cards Assigned Expiration Dates

Beginning Monday, August 30, 2004 all contractor/consultant access cards will have an expiration date assigned that coincides with the contract expiration date.  ERCOT employees who have contractors/consultants working at any ERCOT facility, must notify Security if the contract date has expired or will expire, but their contract with ERCOT has been extended. If Security is not notified, a contractor will not have access to any facility after their contract end date.

*For more information, contact Mike McCutchen at x3015

Proposed Switching Station Will Save $7 Million Annually

Based on preliminary project costs, ERCOT’s production cost analysis of a new 345kV switching station shows an annual savings to the ERCOT market of approximately $7 million if built as proposed. Rising costs of transmission congestion between the San Antonio and Austin areas led ERCOT transmission planners to take the initiative to study and propose a new 345kV switching station initially called Elm Creek. The addition of Elm Creek effectively allows additional generation to flow out of Central Texas to serve load growth in San Antonio and could also provide a platform for future transmission upgrades. CPS has agreed to sponsor the Elm Creek project, which is expected to be submitted for final regional review in September.  Expected in-service date is 2007.

*For more information, contact Bill Bojorquez at x3036

Former TAC Chair to Join ERCOT on September 20

Beth Garza will join ERCOT as manager of congestion analysis and mitigation beginning September 20. She will office in Taylor and report directly to Kent Saathoff. Beth, formerly of Florida Power & Light (FL&P), also resigned as chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on August 5 in anticipation of her new responsibilities at ERCOT. Read Comstock of Strategic Energy has assumed the position of chairman of TAC.

*For more information, contact Kent Saathoff at x3011

Lawson HR Successfully Installed

Lawson HR was successfully installed in early July.  The program improves employee data tracking and ensures greater compliance in requests for information, such as employment verification for bank loans.  A self-service component for Lawson HR is also in the works and will allow employees to enter leave requests, payroll hours, etc., eliminating paper operations for those items.  The Lawson HR installation is in testing now and is projected to be in use by the end of 2004.

*For more information, contact Gary Stroud at x7016

Retail Market Enhancements Implemented in TML Phase 2

ERCOT implemented enhancements for the Retail Market to the Texas Market Link (TML phase 2) in the first weekend of August.  The effort began in July 2003 with a goal to further align the ERCOT tools and functionality with the market needs.  The project team conducted site visits and interviews to determine and prioritize requirements.  The ERCOT Retail Testing team tested the changes in the market July 12-21.  After successful testing, the project was put into production the same weekend as TX SET V2.0 Solution to Stacking.

*For more information, contact Karen Bergman at x3171.

Internal Capital Budget Projects Ranking Completed

ERCOT directors and managers completed their internal prioritization of capital budget projects last week.  The market participants will be ranking their projects next week.  ERCOT’s internal list includes 118 projects, and the market participants are expected to add another 40-50.  The two lists will be combined and prioritized again in early September to submit with the budget for approval by the board.  Approximately 60 projects were executed last year from the capital budget projects.

*For more information, contact Rob Connell at x7018.

Clarification

In ERCOT at a Glance, Vol. 1, it was reported that EMMS Release 3-Phase I was completed on July 15.  In fact, it was Phase II of Release 3.  In addition, Release 4 modifications are currently underway.

*For more information, contact Jeff Robinson at x4217.

ERCOT Meeting Dates

Board of Directors meeting: ERCOT Austin, Tuesday, August 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lunch ‘n Learn (for ERCOT staff): KC Hall, Taylor, Thursday, August 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

(Please RSVP to Kathy Cotner at kcotner@ercot.com.)