This Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) prohibits a Generation Resource from being placed on a seasonal mothball status during the winter season, defined in the Protocols as December, January, and February. This expands beyond a prohibition currently in the Protocols that such units may not seasonally mothball from June 1st to September 30th of any given calendar year.
This NPRR also clarifies ERCOT’s next steps after a Generation Resource proposal to be placed on seasonal mothball status has been evaluated. The current language in some cases requires ERCOT to prepare and post a Must-Run Alternative (MRA) “Request for Proposal” (RFP). Given that a request to seasonally mothball a Resource can be submitted as little as 90 days before the season begins, if ERCOT studies indicate a reliability concern of the seasonal mothball request, in most cases there is not enough time to effectively go through the MRA process and receive operational alternatives in a timely manner. This NPRR clarifies that ERCOT may, but is not required to, go through the MRA RFP process when it receives notice to place a unit on seasonal mothball status.
