ERCOT Goes Live with Real-Time Co-optimization Plus Batteries (RTC+B)

Key market design change to provide operational and reliability benefits to the ERCOT System

(Austin, TX) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) today announced the successful implementation of the first operating day of Real-Time Co-optimization Plus Batteries (RTC+B) in the ERCOT market.

The RTC+B market design change is a key element in the strategic development of the current ERCOT market. It aims to provide more flexibility in real time for ERCOT to efficiently procure energy and Ancillary Services. In addition, the new functionality will include improvements to modeling and consideration of batteries and the state of charge they have available for providing energy and Ancillary Services.

“Real-Time Co-optimization Plus Batteries represents the most substantial enhancement to the Real-Time Nodal market design since its inception in 2010,” said Pablo Vegas, ERCOT President and CEO. “The implementation of this program marks a significant step forward toward more efficient markets and improved grid reliability.”

ERCOT will benefit from operational improvements by using resources more effectively, including:

• More timely procurement and management of Ancillary Services;
• Better management of transmission congestion by using a wider variety of resources;
• Reduction in manual actions and commitments by operators;
• Modeling batteries as a single device to more effectively dispatch the stored energy within the market; and
• Replacing inefficient supplemental reserve markets.

“These improvements bring real operational and reliability benefits to the ERCOT System, along with projected wholesale market savings exceeding one billion dollars annually,” said Keith Collins, ERCOT Vice President of Commercial Operations. “We anticipate those savings will ultimately benefit electric consumers across the state.”

In preparation for the December 5 go-live, ERCOT’s RTC+B Task Force (RTCBTF) worked closely with stakeholders to conduct testing and market trials, including the launch of a series of training videos designed to explain key changes to business processes and systems. The RTCBTF was established to coordinate and review the necessary ERCOT and Market Participant activities to mitigate risk and support the implementation of the RTC+B Program.

“The successful launch of RTC+B is a direct result of the strong collaboration between ERCOT and Market Participants during both the market design and implementation efforts,” said Matt Mereness, ERCOT Senior Director of Market Operations and Implementation. “Their engagement throughout testing, training, and implementation reflects a shared commitment to ensure a smooth transition to the new market design.”

To support the transition of RTC+B into the market, ERCOT notified Market Participants on November 5, 2025, in accordance with a 30-day pre-implementation plan.

The completion of the RTC+B program meets the requirements of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Project No. 48540, Review of Real-Time Co-optimization in the ERCOT Market. Read the Market Notice for more information.

Through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), ERCOT will continue to lead stakeholders in discussion to prioritize which initiatives will be the most important to advance now that RTC+B has been implemented.

The Real-Time Co-optimization (RTC) project was initiated in 2019 by directive of the PUCT to ERCOT following a robust assessment of the costs and benefits associated with the implementation of RTC of energy and Ancillary Services in the wholesale electricity market. With the expansion of Battery Energy Storage Resources in the ERCOT market, the RTC project expanded to the RTC+B program. 

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