RIOO Interconnection Services

Resource Entities

An Entity that owns and/or controls a Generation Resource, Load Resource, and/or a Non-Modeled Generator is registered with ERCOT as a Resource Entity.

Resource Entities (RE)

Registration

The Resource Entity (RE) Application for Registration can be found in Section 23 of the Protocols. Each RE must complete the application and identify a Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) to complete the ERCOT registration requirements.

REs should review the following important information based on their planned ERCOT participation:

Asset Registration

An RE’s assets must also be registered. Most RE Asset registration activities include the following:

  • Complete all required Generation Interconnection Change Request processes as described in the Planning Guide, Section 5 located under Guides below.
  • Submit the Resource Asset Registration Forms, located under Asset Registration Documents below.
  • Complete the design and installation of an ERCOT-polled settlement meter, as described in the Settlement Metering Operating Guide located under Guides below.
  • Establish a data link with the QSE. Refer to the ERCOT Nodal ICCP Handbook located under Guides below.
  • Work closely with designated QSE and ERCOT to coordinate planning for the first operating day and unit commissioning.
  • Submit the ERCOT New Generator Commissioning Checklist for approval to energize, synchronize, and complete required commission testing. See QSE Documents below.

Additional Requirements

Most REs must also be registered with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Please refer to the Power Generation Companies and Self-Generator Registration area on the PUCT website. The Resource Entity shall register Distributed Generation (DG) in accordance with ERCOT Protocols Section 16, if the DG’s installed capacity is greater than one (1) MW or if the energy is to be accounted for in wholesale market settlements. Please refer to the Distributed Generation section for more information.

Each Resource Entity is required by Section 3.21 of the Protocols to submit an emergency operations plan and a weatherization plan to ERCOT for each Generation Resource under its control and to keep those plans updated. Section 3.21 also requires each Resource Entity to submit a completed declaration regarding the completion of weatherization preparations for each summer and winter season (See Protocols Attachments K and O). These plans and declarations are to be emailed to EOP@ercot.com. For new Generation Resources, ERCOT will verify compliance with these submission requirements during the commissioning process. 

Guides

  • ERCOT Nodal ICCP Communications Handbook v3.10
    This handbook sets practices, conventions, and fundamental parameters required for Market Participants to exchange data with ERCOT using ICCP protocol in the TX Nodal Market.
    (May 30, 2019 – docx – 3.2 MB)
  • Model Quality Guide
    Assists REs/IEs submit stability models per Planning Guide Section 6.2, including the new Model Quality Testing requirements. Also includes the UDM Model Guideline and PSCAD Model Guideline.
    (Apr 20, 2021 – zip – 1.5 MB)
  • RIOO-IS IE Sign Up Reference
    Assists IEs with signing up for a RIOO-IS account in order to submit INRs.
    (Jul 02, 2019 – pdf – 1.5 MB)
  • RIOO-IS IE Guide
    Assists IEs perform online tasks associated with creating, submitting, and updating INRs in RIOO-IS.
    (Nov 11, 2019 – pdf – 5 MB)
  • RIOO-IS TSP Sign Up Reference
    Assists TSPs with signing up for RIOO-IS access through their MPIM account in order to analyze and study new requests submitted by IEs.
    (Jul 02, 2019 – pdf – 1.3 MB)
  • RIOO-IS TSP Guide
    Assists TSPs with performing online tasks associated with analyzing and studying new resource projects, making required documentation results available to concerned parties, and monitoring the project milestone dates.
    (Jul 02, 2019 – pdf – 2.5 MB)
  • Planning Guide
    Section 5, Generation Resource Interconnection or Change Request (GINR), defines the requirements and processes used to facilitate new or modified generation interconnections
  • Settlement Metering Operating Guide
    Reference to complete the design and installation of an ERCOT-polled settlement meter.

Resource Entity Registration

Asset Registration Documents

  • Resource Asset Registration Forms (RARF)
    Provides input to the Network Model used by Operations in dispatch of Resources.
    (Nov 04, 2019 – zip – 4.1 MB)
  • Collector System Template
    Facilitates entry of collector data by providing useful feedback and error checking. Use this form in lieu of filling out the RARF Cable_Data and Segments tabs. Submit by including with your RARF upload.
    (Jun 30, 2020 – zip – 505.5 KB)
  • Commissioning Plan Template
    Used to obtain approval to energize, synchronize, and complete required commission testing.
    (Dec 10, 2018 – xls – 200.5 KB)
  • Dynamic Model Templates
    Used to facilitate the collection of resource Dynamic Data to be submitted in conjunction with the RARF.
    (Apr 24, 2020 – zip – 6.2 MB)
  • Generation Resource Splitting Agreement
    Specifies how the control of a Generation Resource that is divided into two or more Split Generation Resources is to be allocated among each of the affected Resource Entities (REs).
    (Dec 10, 2018 – docx – 46.9 KB)
  • Network Model Interim Update Request
    Used by Resource Entities (REs) to request interim updates to the Network Model.
    (Dec 10, 2018 – doc – 189 KB)
  • MOU and EC Opt-In Checklist
    Assists Municipally Owned Utilities (MOU) and Electric Cooperatives (EC) in working through ERCOT requirements that must be satisfied prior to participating in the Texas competitive market.
    (Dec 10, 2018 – doc – 66.5 KB)

QSE Documents

  • ERCOT New Generator Commissioning Checklist
    Used by QSEs to complete required testing for new generating unit start-ups in the QSE's market and control systems, as well as ERCOT's operation and marketing systems. It is also required to receive expressed approval to connect to the ERCOT grid.
    (Jun 03, 2020 – docx – 78.5 KB)
  • QSE Acknowledgement
    The QSE Acknowledgement is located in Section 23 of Protocols. It is used by the QSE to acknowledge that it represents a Market Participant applicant for scheduling and settlement transactions with ERCOT.

Distribution Generation Resources