Texas, specifically ERCOT, is going to get a lot of #energytwitter attention over the next week, as we're hit by an historic winter burst. But it's mainly because so much data are easily found and transparent. And as such, we can prepare, and possibly prevent rolling blackouts.

Other RTO's and ISO's also publicly provide data. But it's not very user friendly. Here's a forecast for @SPPorg

Here's some data from @MISO_energy

The RTOs do a pretty good job and telling their member utilities, hey, we're at risk. But it's up to the utilities to then tell the customers to do something. And often, the information provided is...complicated or vague. Here's from @cityutilities in SPP

Here's @Entergy in @MISO_energy
Where's the time component of the risk? Should I charge everything I have right now, and for how long?

In ERCOT, customers can get some pretty clear data very easily that can calm anxiety, and convey the scope and timing of risk to the grid. There's also the specter of peak pricing maps that make good fodder for media, or RTO/free market opponents.

In non-RTO markets, ERCOT is denigrated for its power pricing mechanisms as too high. Meanwhile, those same non-RTO markets provide little/no transparency into their own hourly load, generation, and pricing. Transparency for thee, but not for me.

I'm not saying ERCOT is perfect. But I am saying, I'm a better customer because I have data, information, and transparency to a level I've never had anywhere else. And we get competitive choice. That's helped my family save thousands of dollars on our electric bill. @DirectEnergy

Particularly in non-RTO areas, where customers have no rate plan choice, no financial incentive to conserve and no real transparency or data to make good decisions, they're really relying on media, and altruism to keep the grid operating. That's pretty scary to me.

Folks need better and clearer access to data, and financial information so they can be better gridizens. And ERCOT does a pretty good job. So when the inevitable "ERCOT sucks" articles are written, just know those articles are only possible because of data transparency.

But there are likely some utility and grid operators in some beige, windowless buildings in some non-RTO and other RTO markets that have some true horror stories we will never hear.

Until it's too late.