October 1, 2020
Journal Article

An ERCOT Test System for Market Design Studies

Abstract

An open source test system is developed that permits the dynamic modeling of centrally-managed wholesale power markets operating over highvoltage transmission grids. In default mode, the test system models basic operations in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT): namely, centrally-managed day-ahead and real-time markets operating over successive days, with congestion handled by locational marginal pricing. These basic operational features characterize all seven U.S. energy regions organized as centrally-managed wholesale power markets. Modeled participants include dispatchable generators, load-serving entities, and non-dispatchable generation such as unrmed wind and solar power. Users can congure a broad variety of parameters to study basic market and grid features under alternative system conditions. Users can also easily extend the test system's Java/Python software classes to study modied or newly envisioned market and grid features. Finally, the test system is integrated with a high-level simulation framework that permits it to function as a software component within larger systems, such as multi-country systems or integrated transmission and distribution systems. Detailed test cases with 8-bus and 200-bus transmission grids are reported to illustrate these test system capabilities.

Revised: August 7, 2020 | Published: October 1, 2020

Citation

Battula S., L. Tesfatsion, L. Tesfatsion, and T.E. McDermott. 2020. An ERCOT Test System for Market Design Studies. Applied Energy 275. PNNL-SA-147701. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115182