This Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) introduces a new portal for Market Participants (the Market Participant Service Portal) designed to automate interactions between ERCOT and Market Participants currently managed via email-based communications and manual processes over the next few years. This NPRR changes Protocol language to require Market Participants to submit certain forms to ERCOT directly through the online portal, rather than submitting those forms via email, with the long-term goal being that all forms from MPs would eventually be submitted through the Market Participant Service Portal rather than submitted via email. Specifically, his NPRR moves the submission of Section 23 Form E: Notice of Change of Information, and Section 23 Form S: Reporting and Attestation Regarding Purchase of Critical Electric Grid Equipment (CEGE) and Critical Electric Grid Services (CEGS) from a Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Designated Company or LSIPA Designated Country to the Market Participant Service Portal. These previously emailed forms will now be entered by MPs directly into the new portal. The forms themselves are proposed to remain in the Protocols so that Market Participants can see a visual of the information they will be prompted to enter into the portal.
User access to the new Market Participant Service Portal will be managed via multi-factor authentication (not Digital Certificates) with User Security Administrators (USAs) responsible for access management (just as they manage MIS access today) except for portions of the Market Participant Service Portal required to perform the duties of Authorized Representatives (ARs). Access for ARs and USAs will be managed by ERCOT and will continue for as long as the MP is active. ARs for MPs that opt-out of MIS access will be able to use the portion of the new portal that allows an MP’s Authorized Representatives (ARs) to receive communication from ERCOT and submit forms such as a Notice of Change of Information.
Additionally, this NPRR corrects some misinformation in the Protocols. Specifically, the Resource Integration and Ongoing Operations (RIOO) system does require a Digital Certificate. Therefore, current Protocol language stating to the contrary and indicating that access to RIOO does not require digital certificates and that the USA may not be responsible for managing a Market Participant’s access to RIOO will be corrected. Finally, this NPPR corrects some forms to reflect that it is not necessary for an officer registered with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to sign the annual Audit Attestation regarding MIS Access, making those forms consistent with the requirements in Section 16 that allow non-officers, such as a Market Participant employee, to sign the attestation.
