ERCOT

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1970. It manages the transmission of electricity across most of Texas, serving approximately 27 million customers, which represents about 90 percent of the state's electric load. ERCOT operates as the Independent System Operator (ISO) for the region, overseeing a vast electric power grid that includes over 54,100 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 1,200 generation units. ERCOT's key responsibilities include ensuring grid reliability by balancing supply and demand in real time, administering competitive wholesale electricity markets, and managing financial settlements for these markets. It also facilitates retail customer switching in competitive areas, allowing nearly 8 million premises to choose their electric providers. The organization is governed by a board of directors and is subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT plays a vital role in maintaining a diverse energy generation mix, which includes natural gas, wind, coal, nuclear, and solar power, while also supporting the integration of grid-scale battery storage.