2026 Event Schedule

Texas’ ERCOT grid – independent, energy-only, and increasingly distributed – has become a proving ground for DER aggregation. Since 2021, ERCOT’s ADER Pilot Program has tested how aggregated distributed energy resources can participate in wholesale markets. Now, with several years of technical trials, stakeholder feedback, and implementation underway, what insights can other markets take from the ERCOT experience?

This panel brings together leaders from ERCOT, DER aggregators, utilities, and policy experts to explore the program’s most important takeaways. Panelists will address the challenges of telemetry, metering, and settlement; market rule alignment; and how ERCOT’s unique approach compares to efforts in CAISO, PJM, and other regions. We’ll also look ahead to the future of DER participation in Texas and beyond.

Key questions we’ll explore:

• What has ERCOT learned about enabling aggregated DERs to provide grid services?
• How does the Texas model compare to other RTOs/ISOs in terms of barriers and opportunities?
• What policy, regulatory, and operational insights are transferable to other regions?
• What’s next for DER aggregation – and what should stakeholders across the country watch for?

Whether you’re designing DER participation frameworks or scaling up pilots, this session offers real-world lessons from one of the nation’s most dynamic grid environments.