ARS Program Enhancements

Consultation has concluded

Engagement Outcomes

As the AESO has completed consultation on the ARS Program Enhancement Roadmap, it will now use the Reliability Standards Discussion Group page to continue updating stakeholders on the implementation the various activities that have resulted from this initiative.

The purpose of this initiative was to provide a forum for interested stakeholders to review and discuss their perspectives as related to the existing Alberta reliability standards (ARS) Program, collectively share, listen and consider different viewpoints, and collaborate on enhancements to the ARS Program with a focus on driving efficiencies that result in a reduction in regulatory burden for market participants, while maintaining the safe, reliable, and economic operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES).

This initiative has achieved:

    • Greater adoption of risk-based approaches across the ARS program.
    • Integrated efficiencies into both internally and externally facing processes.
    • Better facilitation of a common understanding of ARS requirements and expectations for compliance among market participants

ARS Program Enhancements Roadmap

Stakeholder comments and recommendations, and the themes summarized in the Stakeholder Comments Summary will be further assessed and considered to guide the development of a roadmap for this initiative. The draft roadmap, including a proposed pace and prioritization of initiatives, will be brought to stakeholders for input and discussion at a session on May 11, 2022.

Once finalized, the roadmap will serve as our plan and schedule for implementing enhancements to the ARS Program with a focus on driving efficiencies that will result in a reduction in regulatory burden for market participants, while maintaining the safe, reliable, secure, and economic operation of the AIES.

Your continued participation, lending of your expertise and commitment to engaged dialogue will be integral to the success of this industry-wide initiative. We thank you in advance for your time and attention to this important initiative.

Engagement Outcomes

As the AESO has completed consultation on the ARS Program Enhancement Roadmap, it will now use the Reliability Standards Discussion Group page to continue updating stakeholders on the implementation the various activities that have resulted from this initiative.

The purpose of this initiative was to provide a forum for interested stakeholders to review and discuss their perspectives as related to the existing Alberta reliability standards (ARS) Program, collectively share, listen and consider different viewpoints, and collaborate on enhancements to the ARS Program with a focus on driving efficiencies that result in a reduction in regulatory burden for market participants, while maintaining the safe, reliable, and economic operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES).

This initiative has achieved:

    • Greater adoption of risk-based approaches across the ARS program.
    • Integrated efficiencies into both internally and externally facing processes.
    • Better facilitation of a common understanding of ARS requirements and expectations for compliance among market participants

ARS Program Enhancements Roadmap

Stakeholder comments and recommendations, and the themes summarized in the Stakeholder Comments Summary will be further assessed and considered to guide the development of a roadmap for this initiative. The draft roadmap, including a proposed pace and prioritization of initiatives, will be brought to stakeholders for input and discussion at a session on May 11, 2022.

Once finalized, the roadmap will serve as our plan and schedule for implementing enhancements to the ARS Program with a focus on driving efficiencies that will result in a reduction in regulatory burden for market participants, while maintaining the safe, reliable, secure, and economic operation of the AIES.

Your continued participation, lending of your expertise and commitment to engaged dialogue will be integral to the success of this industry-wide initiative. We thank you in advance for your time and attention to this important initiative.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Request for Feedback | Engagement Session Nov. 21, 2022

    The comments the AESO has received to date through the Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS) Enhancements Program initiative will continue to be used to guide the AESO's approach to completing ARS Roadmap workstream activities.

    The AESO is seeking specific feedback from stakeholders on their perspectives as it relates to the proposed risk-based approach, the proposed approach to developing a risk-based methodology for the compliance monitoring program, and the proposed pace and activities scheduled for 2023. The AESO values stakeholder feedback and invites all interested stakeholders to provide their comments via the following Stakeholder Feedback form on or before Dec. 12, 2022. Please be as specific as possible with your responses. Thank you for your input.

    Instructions

    1. To submit your feedback, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
    2. Please click on the "Complete Stakeholder Feedback" box below to provide your specific comments.
    3. Please submit one completed Stakeholder Feedback form per organization.
    4. Stakeholder Feedback results will be posted on AESO Engage, in their original state.
    5. Responses due on or before Dec. 12, 2022


    Stakeholder Feedback Questions

    1. Is there any feedback you would like to provide the AESO with respect to the ARS Program Enhancements Stakeholder Engagement Session hosted on Nov. 21, 2022? Was there something the AESO could have done to make the session more helpful?
    2. Is there any feedback you would like to provide the AESO with respect to the Alberta risk methodology criteria presented at the Nov. 21 stakeholder session (slide 29) as well as the more complete list presented at Oct 27 RSDG (slides 29-31) found here (or visit the AESO website at www.aeso.ca and follow the path: Rules, Standards and Tariff > Alberta Reliability Standards > Reliability Standards Discussion Group)? Do you believe the AESO missed something crucial in the proposed risk-based methodology? If so, please specify.
    3. Is there any feedback you would like to provide the AESO with respect to what the AESO has presented on how the risk-based approach applies to the overall ARS Lifecyle? Do you believe the AESO missed something crucial on how we will apply the risk-based approach across the ARS Lifecycle? If so, please specify.
    4. The AESO proposes to use the risk-based elements in the NERC CMEP (Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Program) for the Alberta risk-based Compliance Monitoring Program (CMP) as possible to prioritize ARS requirements for the CMP.  Do you believe there are elements other than those identified in the NERC CMEP that need to be included? If so, please specify.
    5. The AESO proposes to find a simplified way to assess an entity’s risk to the AIES, and only if necessary, to implement the more comprehensive NERC’s IRA (Inherent Risk Assessment) process. Do you support the AESO’s approach to finding an alternative solution to NERC IRA to determine an entity’s risk to the AIES? Why or why not?
    6. The AESO proposes to find a simplified way to assess an entity’s compliance risk, and only if necessary, to implement the more comprehensive NERC’s ICE (Internal Controls Evaluation) process. Do you support the AESO’s approach to finding an alternative solution to NERC ICE to determine an entity’s compliance profile? Why or why not?
    7. Is there any feedback you would like to provide the AESO with respect to the proposed pace and activities scheduled for 2023?


    Consultation has concluded