Why ERCOT's $5k Price Spikes Are Actually Good for Reliability (ERCOT) episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 3, 2026 · 46 MIN

Why ERCOT's $5k Price Spikes Are Actually Good for Reliability (ERCOT)

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Transmission is getting a glow up and we want to hear from you what we can improve. Help us by filling in this short survey. https://form.typeform.com/to/kCdj85iK?typeform-source=www.linkedin.comCan energy-only market design deliver both reliability and affordability as electricity grids face unprecedented transformation?In this episode, Alex speaks with Keith Collins, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ERCOT, about managing the unprecedented challenges facing Texas's electricity grid. As data centers and AI facilities flood into the state, ERCOT must balance explosive demand growth with affordability and reliability all within an energy-only market structure that's unique among major US grid operators.Chapters:00:00 ERCOT's role in Texas grid management01:09 Electricity market design and efficiency02:28 Winter Storm Uri and resource adequacy04:40 Texas data center boom explained06:39 Energy-only markets and price signals08:18 Grid resource adequacy challenges12:28 Dispatchable reliability reserve service ECRS18:45 Real-time energy and ancillary services22:15 765kV transmission expansion in Texas26:30 Residential demand response and virtual power plants31:45 Comparing ERCOT to other US markets36:27 Future grid technologies and storage growth40:05 Distributed battery systems and grid integration41:05 ERCOT market design frameworkYou can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter, our VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch

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Why ERCOT's $5k Price Spikes Are Actually Good for Reliability (ERCOT)

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