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Terms of Use for ERCOT Application Programmatic Interface (API)

By accessing or using ERCOT’s API, you are agreeing to the below Terms of Use. Violation of these Terms of Use may result in suspension or termination of your access to the API, and any further legal action deemed appropriate by ERCOT.

A. Registration

Users must create an account to access the ERCOT API, which includes the Data Access Portal site and the ERCOT Developer Portal site. The information necessary to create an account includes, but is not limited to, providing email address, and name. This information is required to provide ERCOT with analytics for budgeting and future site planning.  ERCOT may require additional information as it deems necessary regarding the user or account. Accounts registered by "bots" or other automated methods are not permitted. You are responsible for protecting your log-in information and shall not share that information with other parties.

B. Permitted Access

You will only access (or attempt to access) the ERCOT API by the means described in these Terms of Use. You will not misrepresent or mask either your identity or your Client's identity when using the ERCOT API.

C. Information Provided “As Is” 

The API and all information posted on or obtained through the API, including through the Data Access Portal site and the ERCOT Developer Portal site, and including information posted by third-parties, is provided “As Is” without any warranties of any kind. ERCOT makes no representations with respect to said information and disclaims all express and implied warranties and conditions of any kind, including without limitation, representations, warranties, or conditions regarding accuracy, timeliness, completeness, non-infringement, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. 

D. ERCOT API site General Limitations

ERCOT sets and enforces limits on your use of the ERCOT API (e.g. limiting the number of postings that you may make or the number of users you may serve), in ERCOT’s sole discretion. 

E. Communication with ERCOT

ERCOT may send you certain communications in connection with your use of the ERCOT API. Please review the applicable ERCOT API documentation for information about opting out of certain types of communication.

F. ERCOTS Use of User Feedback

If you provide feedback, suggestions, or other information about ERCOT’s API, then ERCOT (and those authorized by ERCOT) may use such information without any obligation to you, including, but not limited to, compensation.

G. Open Source Software

Some of the software required by or included in ERCOT’s API site may be offered under an open source license. Open source software licenses constitute separate written agreements. Open source software may be listed on the API site. To the extent the  terms of the open source software license expressly conflicts with the Terms of Use, then the open source license terms at issue will control to the limited extent of that conflict. 

H. Violations to ERCOT's Terms of Use Policy

This policy applies to both:

  • Automated screen scraping programs that access ERCOT URL(s); 
  • Programs that use the Data Access Portal to query and download report data via the Data Access Portal or External Web Service (EWS); and
  • Use of ERCOT's API in any other way.

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Prevent overloading of ERCOT computing resources that may occur due to excessive queries.
  • Ensure optimal transactional request/response performance to all Market Participants.
  • Ensure a free exchange of information to benefit Market Participants.

Note: Query submission at a faster rate will not provide additional benefits to the Market Participant.

For technical issues, or questions or clarifications related to this policy, please submit a ticket via the ERCOT Public Portal. (New users will be prompted to register in order to log in and submit a help ticket.)


Additional Terms of Use Specific to Data Access Portal

ERCOT created its Data Access Portal site to assist users with enabling the automated download of public reports.  ERCOT publishes a list called the ERCOT Market Information List (EMIL), which describes the public reports that are regularly published by ERCOT on its website, as well as the dates that the reports are generated, posted, and archived, which should be consulted when determining your timing of automated downloads. 

Data Access Portal General Limitations

ERCOT reserves the right to set and enforce limits on your use of the Data Access Portal in ERCOT’s sole discretion For example, ERCOT imposes limitations on the number of times a report may be downloaded per year, as described below. You agree to, and will not attempt to circumvent, such limitations.   If you would like to use the Data Access Portal beyond these limits, you must obtain ERCOT's express written consent (ERCOT may refuse such request or condition approval  of the request on your agreement to additional terms and/or charges for that use). To submit a request to exceed these limits, contact ERCOT Client Services at clientservices@ercot.com.

Limitations on Downloads

You may not download the same report from the Data Access Portal more than three times within a 12-month period. Reports should be downloaded and stored on the users’ own hardware to avoid downloading from the site multiple times during a yearly time period.

Additional Terms of Use Specific to ERCOT Developer Portal

ERCOT created the ERCOT Developer Portal site to assist developers and Market Participants with easier access to information, as well as a forum for users to discuss issues relating to use of the API.

User-Generated Content

You may create or upload User-Generated Content while using the ERCOT Developer Portal site. You are solely responsible for the content of, and for any harm resulting from, any User-Generated Content that you post, upload, link to or otherwise make available via the ERCOT Developer Portal site, regardless of the form of that Content. ERCOT is not responsible for any public display or misuse of your User-Generated Content. ERCOT has the right to refuse or remove any User-Generated Content at ERCOT’s sole discretion. 

ERCOT Views Not Represented

Content posted on the ERCOT Developer Portal site, be it content from ERCOT employees/contractors or not, does not represent the official views of ERCOT, nor any ERCOT endorsement of an idea or content. Statements by ERCOT employees or contractors may not be published without prior written consent from ERCOT Legal.