Markets and operators · Definition
Regional transmission organization (RTO)
An independent regional entity that operates transmission facilities and administers transmission service, often alongside organized wholesale markets.
In plain languageAn independent regional entity that operates transmission facilities and administers transmission service, often alongside organized wholesale markets.
- Category
- Markets and operators
- Primary reference
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Why it matters
How this term helps you read grid data
RTOs coordinate systems that span multiple utility territories and sometimes state lines. Their footprints do not always align with state boundaries.
Example
Regional transmission organization (RTO) in practice
PJM, MISO, and SPP are regional transmission organizations with profiles in US Grid Explorer.
Reference
Check the primary source
US Grid Explorer paraphrases agency terminology for clarity. Consult the agency reference for formal definitions and current regulatory usage.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission →