Meeting Summary – Project No. 53911 , Aggregate Distributed Energy Resource (ADER) ERCOT Pilot Project

1 – Opening Remarks – Chair

• Introduction by Jason Ryan and co-chair Joel Yu from Enchanted Rock.
• Reminder that the session is being recorded and will be available on YouTube.
• For new participants, questions can be asked via the raise hand feature and chat function.
• Slides will be posted in project 53911 along with the YouTube recording link.
• Acknowledgment of work and time dedicated by task force members and partners at PUC, OPUC, and ERCOT.
• Agenda overview by Joel Yu including discussions on interoperability and feedback from last meeting’s slides.
• Discussion on technical expertise follow-up and roadmap to 80 MW for the ADER program expansion.
• Plan to recap open action items from the previous meeting.

2 – Cmsr Glotfelty Memo item #1 Discussion – Scott Hinson, Pencan Street Institute

• Scott Hinson, CTO of Pecan Street, Inc., shared insights on interoperability and accessibility in energy systems.
• Emphasized the importance of adopting industry standards as a whole, particularly citing IEEE 1547 for renewable energy devices.
• Discussed the issues surrounding standards that may conflict internationally and the need to choose comprehensive standards.
• Highlighted risks of not adopting full standards, leading to outdated and non-standard equipment on the grid.
• Explained that interoperability does not automatically mean accessibility; manufacturers must ensure device access.
• Suggested that cybersecurity concerns should not hinder accessibility and recommended strong encryption practices.
• Discussed the potential challenges of requiring accessibility in device regulations.
• Outlined issues with older equipment using unencrypted Modbus, suggesting secure gateways as a solution.
• Addressed concerns about compatibility of interoperability standards with NERC CIP requirements.
• Expressed a need for continuous learning and adaptation as regulations and standards evolve.
• Concluded with recommendations to automatically adopt revised standards with a grace period and ensure rules require accessibility.

3 – ERCOT Recap and Listening Session – 20 min

• Plans to discuss task force recommendations at the next meeting and draft changes to the governing document.
• Review of the blocky load concept as part of phase three of the pilot, with limited system changes required.
• Discussion on the aggregated NCLR concept and its benefits, including enabling residential participation.
• Clarification on choosing a VPP provider independent of a retail electric provider under the NCLR concept.
• Connections between residential demand participation and ERCOT’s broader efforts to incentivize residential engagement.
• Separateness of ongoing discussions and potential broader integration of residential aggregation in the future.
• Discussion on potential changes to protocol requirements related to ALR, LSE, and QSE representations.
• Clarification on whether the NCLR model addresses issues in the commissioner’s memo and its primary objectives.
• Exploration of blocky loads as net injection and potential adjustments to requirements for aggregated resources.
• Continuing development of governing document markups with consensus support and openness to further discussions.

4 – Technical Expertise/Institutions – Effort to map MW potential for ADERs – Update 20 min

• Effort to map potential for ADERs with a focus on the 80 MW goal.
• Carmen Best discussed existing research and the need to communicate progress in achieving the 80 MW target.
• Joel Yu referenced discussions about utilizing existing research and notes related to ADER potential.
• Exploration of primary vs. secondary research and the prioritization of tasks.
• Suggestions included surveying companies or using existing comments to ascertain resource potential.
• Acknowledgment of using annual reports and modeling tools for primary research.
• Importance of aligning task force efforts with commission interests and overall market objectives.
• Discussion on classification and relevance of different studies concerning ADERs.
• Rajiv Shah emphasized potential usefulness of the exercise for internal and external purposes.
• Carmen highlighted the educational aspect rather than a marketing focus.
• Talks around participation models and integrations with existing pilot programs were highlighted by discussion members.
• Discussion of timely deliverables with suggestions that align with the end of year or the first quarter report of 2025.
• Recommendations to collate existing resources and avoid duplicative work were emphasized.

5 – Review issues inventory

• Revisiting ongoing inventory of items from the last discussion on roadmap to 80 MW.
• Clarification received to remove injection requirement for ADER.
• Need to improve understanding of potential MW available, especially for systems behind the meter.
• Discussion on better reporting and interconnection reports for smaller systems.
• Consideration of potential federal funding impact on solar and storage systems.
• Addressing technical requirements in RFP processes for ADER participation.
• Evaluating information on residential solar installations reported by TDUs to commission.
• Discussion on possible need for more granular data reporting by utilities.
• Acknowledgment of a lack of data on available systems and the need to address this.
• Action items to plan addressing pending issues effectively by the end of the year.

6 – Discuss next workshop scheduling and agenda

• A November workshop is planned, with a Doodle poll sent out to task force members to schedule the date.
• The workshop will focus on items two and four from Commissioner Glotfelty’s memo, which haven’t been fully discussed yet.
• Presentations are expected on these topics and the goal is to develop consensus on all four questions in the memo by the end of the year.
• ERCOT aims to make progress on revising the governing document.
• More than one meeting in December may be required to address all issues.
• Accommodating as many schedules as possible is a priority.
• Participants agreed on the proposed approach.
• Slides from the meeting and a link to the recording will be posted in the project.
• The next meeting is planned for the first half of November, before the holidays.

7 – Adjourn