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Research and Innovation

Research and Innovation Partnership Engagement

ERCOT’s Research and Innovation Partnership Engagement (RIPE) program is designed to work with partners to solve for emerging challenges and opportunities to meet ERCOT’s goal of providing a reliable grid, efficient electricity markets, open access, and retail choice. The RIPE program is focused on market-ready technologies that have potential for grid-wide deployment. The program is not about testing minor improvements in existing technology, data requests for research or early-stage development, or technologies with no clear merits for grid reliability, operations, or markets.

Ready to partner with ERCOT? 

Simply click the 'RIPE Program Form' button below to access our Public Portal and get started!

RIPE Program Form

Note:  First-time users will need to register. You will receive a response within 30 calendar days with initial feedback.

RIPE Program FAQs

The RIPE program is focused on tools and technologies that have the potential to assist ERCOT in addressing challenges and that directly align with the overall mission of ERCOT: to keep the grid reliable and its markets efficient.

The program is not about testing minor improvements in existing technology, data requests for research or early-stage development, or technologies with no clear alignment for grid reliability, operations, or markets.

Technology considered for the program can range from simulation tools, to software and analytics tools, to market products, to hardware deployment on the grid. Here are some examples:

    1.  Simulation tools: A tool to run Security-Constrained Unit Commitment (SCUC), optimal power flow, or EMT simulations at a much faster speed compared to existing technology.
    2.  Software and Analytics tools: Tools that can help improve grid operations in areas such as planning, forecasting, and increasing situational awareness (e.g., a tool that can help characterize and aggregate distribution loads).
    3.  Market product: Request to test a new market product that could provide demand flexibility.
    4.  Hardware deployment: Request to add hardware in coordination with Market Participants that could provide better data (e.g., a DFR that could help characterize load dynamics at a substation).

The RIPE program will be guided by ERCOT staff from a variety of teams, such as grid operations, grid planning, market operations, market design, digital services, legal, and procurement. With no financial interest in any project, ERCOT is open to all proposals and will fairly evaluate all submissions.

ERCOT believes each RIPE proposal should progress over the course of four phases: Initiation, Planning, Implementation, and Completion. ERCOT’s responsibilities corresponding to each of these phases are outlined in the following table.

Table

Phase Description Potential ERCOT Action Items
Initiation Discussion phase, including review of the form
  • Facilitate proposal review and information exchange
  • Provide education on relevant ERCOT business function
  • Decide whether or not to progress to next phase
  • Initiate NDA, as needed
Planning Scoping phase, including detailing the program’s objectives, timeline, outcomes, etc.
  • Provide proposal scoping input
  • Provide additional data/analysis needed by applicant
  • Identify key ERCOT resources and follow the procurement process
  • Develop legal agreements to be signed by all relevant parties
Implementation  Action phase, including the deployment of technology or collection of data and collaboration on impacts
  • Support testing, monitoring, and/or data collection
  • Provide results feedback, including analysis, data, suggested next steps, etc.
Completion

Analysis and results phase, including documentation and next steps (or not)
  • Support dissemination of results, including to ERCOT membership (as appropriate)

RIPE program candidates are required to sign ERCOT’s Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) if there is any exchange of proprietary company information. ERCOT membership is NOT required to participate in the RIPE program.

 


ERCOT’s agreement to partner on any given RIPE project is not an ERCOT endorsement of any technology, change in market structure or operations, or change in Protocols or any other authority. Partnership does not constitute ERCOT endorsement of the partner, its products, or services.