Since the introduction of Controllable Load Resources (CLRs), most, if not all, CLR energy bidding was performed in the Real-Time Market. With NPRR 1188, ERCOT introduces CLR-specific energy bidding to be performed in the Day-Ahead and Real-Time market, creating new opportunities for large loads to manage market risk, optimize participation strategies, and increase operational flexibility.
Here’s what’s changing, how CLRs can benefit, and what to prepare for.
NPRR 1188 changes at a glance
- CLRs can now purchase energy at the CLR Resource Node in the Day-Ahead market
- Introduction of Energy Bid Curves (EBCs) for DA and RT Market submissions
- Existing RT Energy Bid instruments will be retired and replaced by new EBCs
- New Energy Bid Curve awards settled at the CLR Resource Node
- New operating requirements for ONTEST, ONHOLD, and OUTL statuses
- Additional billing determinants incorporated into RTEIAMT and SPDAMT
Read our blog post, “What Is a CLR & How Does It Differ From an NCLR?”
Pre-NPRR 1188
Before NPRR 1188, CLRs were limited to Load Zone-based energy purchases in the Day-Ahead Market. In Real Time, CLRs submitted energy bids that determined when ERCOT would reduce their consumption. If prices exceeded the CLR’s bid price, ERCOT dispatched the resource toward its minimum consumption level.
Post-NPRR 1188 CLR market operations
With NPRR 1188, CLRs will no longer need to wait until the Real-Time Market to express their energy bids. CLRs will be able to submit EBCs in the Day-Ahead Market and continue to adjust those bids in Real Time through updated EBC submissions.
This expanded market participation enables CLRs to align their market strategy more closely with operational requirements, power consumption economics, and changing market conditions. By supporting both Day-Ahead and Real-Time bidding, NPRR 1188 provides large loads with greater flexibility to manage risk and optimize energy costs.
How NPRR 1188 can benefit CLRs
A day-ahead purchase gives the CLR a way to buy power the day before, at its own location. Real-time dispatch still decides how much the site consumes. When the real-time price stays under the bid, the site runs and the purchase matches consumption. When the real-time price rises above the bid, ERCOT drops the site. The megawatt-hours that were bought in day-ahead and not consumed are credited at the real-time price, resulting in potential revenue for the site.
Market submission and award changes
Under NPRR 1188, Day-Ahead and Real-Time energy bids will use the new Energy Bid Curve. ERCOT will validate each submitted EBC to ensure it is monotonically non-increasing and the QSE representing the CLR will be responsible for submitting and maintaining all EBCs.
A cleared Day-Ahead EBC will result in a new award type, called Awarded Energy CLR Bid, which represents the quantity of energy purchased at the CLR Resource Node’s Day-Ahead Market price. These awards will be aggregated under the existing Day-Ahead Energy Purchases (DAEP) billing determinants for settlement purposes.
NPRR 1188 CLR telemetered status requirements
NPRR 1188 also sets clearer rules for how a CLR reports its operating status to ERCOT. The core principle is that a CLR should consume energy only when ERCOT’s Security-Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED) instructs it to. If the CLR is offline and consuming nothing, its QSE can report a status of OUTL. If the CLR is still consuming energy but can’t follow SCED’s dispatch instructions, the QSE must report ONHOLD instead. A resource can be designated with an ONTEST status during operational testing, allowing it to remain online while being excluded from Security-Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED)
Under any status, the telemetry the QSE submits has to reflect the CLR’s actual operating conditions in a way ERCOT can verify. And reporting OUTL or ONHOLD doesn’t release the QSE from any Ancillary Services already awarded to the resource.
NPRR 1188 settlement changes
As part of NPRR 1188, ERCOT is introducing new billing determinants that modify existing settlement calculations. Key updates include changes related to CLR metered energy under RTEIAMT and the addition of a CLR-specific exemption within SPDAMT.
How PCI can help
NPRR 1188 introduces significant changes for Controllable Load Resources, including Day-Ahead Market participation through Energy Bid Curves (EBCs), new award structures, updated operating requirements, and revised settlement calculations.
PCI GenManager is designed to support these market enhancements by enabling CLR Energy Bid Curve submissions in both the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and Real-Time Market (RTM). This means you can submit updated EBCs before any SCED run. GenManager also incorporates the settlement changes associated with NPRR 1188, including updates to RTEIAMT and SPDAMT calculations.
Whether you’re evaluating a new CLR opportunity or already operating CLRs in the ERCOT market, PCI GenManager helps you stay aligned with evolving market requirements while providing the tools needed to manage participation efficiently and confidently.
Talk to our team about getting your CLRs ready for NPRR 1188. Contact us now.
