Cluster Assessment Process Implementation

This page was previously named Connection Process Streamlining

AESO Update re: GoA Announcement on the Renewables Pause

As a result of the Government of Alberta “pause” on renewable power plant application approvals, the AESO provided Market Participants with the flexibility of a seven-month extension to the Stage 3 maximum timeline, for renewable projects in Stage 3 of the Connection process that did not have power plant approval. Now that the pause has ended, standard stage maximums are back in effect and the pause extension will no longer be granted. The AESO's new Cluster Assessment process was not impacted by the pause, and the key dates for Cluster 1 and 2 remain as communicated on the AESO website(External link).

Market Participants are reminded of the role of a power plant or energy storage facility application in the AESO's Connection Process:

  • Power plant and/or energy storage facility application filing is required before the end of Stage 3 (transmission connected projects)
  • Power plant and/or energy storage facility application approval is required prior to the start of Stage 5 (both distribution and transmission connected projects)

Background and Purpose

In 2022, the AESO worked with stakeholders to streamline the Connection Process to better manage the growing volume of generation projects within a progressively complex AIES system.  These factors have resulted in a significant increase in SASR project delivery timelines. The AESO’s streamlined Connection Process is intended to provide greater efficiency and schedule certainty, reduce red tape, minimize rework, and align project execution with available resource capacity.  Stakeholder perspectives continue to be essential to the AESO to support and enhance our decision-making process. Through careful consideration and evaluation of feedback, the AESO seeks to balance diverse stakeholder interests and our mandate to operate in the public interest in developing sound decisions.

As the consultation phase of the AESO’s Connection Process Streamlining was completed in 2022, we are continuing efforts to ensure market participants are informed throughout the implementation phase of the new Cluster Assessment Process.


Out-of-scope

The following topics are out-of-scope and will not be discussed as part of the Connection Process Streamlining information session:

  • Changes to the regulatory framework (e.g., TReg, TPL standards)
  • 2018 GTA Decision and Corresponding Compliance Filing Items
  • Existing System and Connection projects

This page was previously named Connection Process Streamlining

AESO Update re: GoA Announcement on the Renewables Pause

As a result of the Government of Alberta “pause” on renewable power plant application approvals, the AESO provided Market Participants with the flexibility of a seven-month extension to the Stage 3 maximum timeline, for renewable projects in Stage 3 of the Connection process that did not have power plant approval. Now that the pause has ended, standard stage maximums are back in effect and the pause extension will no longer be granted. The AESO's new Cluster Assessment process was not impacted by the pause, and the key dates for Cluster 1 and 2 remain as communicated on the AESO website(External link).

Market Participants are reminded of the role of a power plant or energy storage facility application in the AESO's Connection Process:

  • Power plant and/or energy storage facility application filing is required before the end of Stage 3 (transmission connected projects)
  • Power plant and/or energy storage facility application approval is required prior to the start of Stage 5 (both distribution and transmission connected projects)

Background and Purpose

In 2022, the AESO worked with stakeholders to streamline the Connection Process to better manage the growing volume of generation projects within a progressively complex AIES system.  These factors have resulted in a significant increase in SASR project delivery timelines. The AESO’s streamlined Connection Process is intended to provide greater efficiency and schedule certainty, reduce red tape, minimize rework, and align project execution with available resource capacity.  Stakeholder perspectives continue to be essential to the AESO to support and enhance our decision-making process. Through careful consideration and evaluation of feedback, the AESO seeks to balance diverse stakeholder interests and our mandate to operate in the public interest in developing sound decisions.

As the consultation phase of the AESO’s Connection Process Streamlining was completed in 2022, we are continuing efforts to ensure market participants are informed throughout the implementation phase of the new Cluster Assessment Process.


Out-of-scope

The following topics are out-of-scope and will not be discussed as part of the Connection Process Streamlining information session:

  • Changes to the regulatory framework (e.g., TReg, TPL standards)
  • 2018 GTA Decision and Corresponding Compliance Filing Items
  • Existing System and Connection projects
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Cluster Assessment Process Survey | Dec. 4, 2023 - Jan. 5, 2024

    We value your input and would like to ask all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the Cluster 1 activities completed to date.

    The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will remain open until January 5, 2024. Results of the survey will be kept confidential. 

    Please be aware that each question below is followed by a request to provide supporting details for your response.

    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 Survey" box below to provide your specific comments.
    3. Please submit one completed Stakeholder Survey per organization.
    4. Results will not be posted on AESO Engage, the AESO will provide an update to stakeholders in Q1, 2024.
    5. Responses due on or before January 5, 2024.

    Stakeholder Survey Questions

    1. What sector of the industry best represents your organization?


    2. Did you participate in or provide feedback for the 2023 Connection Process Streamlining engagement sessions?


    3. a) If you have provided feedback during prior engagements, do you believe that it has been considered in the design of the process?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response.

    4. a) Was the fee payment process clearly communicated?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response

    5. a) Was the fee payment process efficient?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response.

    6. a) Was the SASR completion and submission process clearly communicated?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response

    7. a) Was the SASR completion and submission process efficient?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response.

    8. a) Was the study scope issuance and review process clearly communicated?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response.

    9. a) Was the study scope issuance and review process efficient?
        b) Please provide supporting rationale for your response.

    10. What could the AESO do differently to improve and enhance your experience for future cluster assessments?

    11. Any additional comments


    12. If you wish to upload a formatted version of your responses, please do so here.
    Complete Survey
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Connection Process Streamlining Survey | Dec. 9, 2022 - Jan. 6, 2023


    The AESO thanks stakeholders for their participation, feedback and collaboration throughout the engagement over the last seven months.

    We value your input and would like to ask all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed Connection Process Streamlining redesign. 

    The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will remain open until Jan. 6, 2023. Results of the survey will be kept confidential. 

    A reminder to all stakeholders to review the 2022 Stakeholder Engagement Summary posted to the engagement page before completing the survey. To view the summary, please go to "Materials" on the right side of the page and click on "2022 Engagement Summary".

    Please be aware that each question below is followed by a request to provide supporting details for the response. 

    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 "Take Survey" box below to begin the survey and provide comments.
    3. Please submit one Connection Process Engagement survey per organization 
    4. Survey responses will be kept confidential.
    5. Responses are due by Jan. 6, 2023


    Survey Questions

    1. What sector of the industry best represents your organization?
    2. Did you participate in or provide feedback for the Connection Process Streamlining engagement sessions?
    3. Do the proposed changes to the Connection Process reasonably achieve the streamlining objective of greater SASR schedule certainty?    
    4. Do the proposed changes to the Connection Process reasonably achieve the streamlining objective of reducing SASR execution time?
    5. Do the proposed changes to the Connection Process reasonably achieve the streamlining objective of improved SASR efficiency and reduced rework currently experienced in Stages 1-3? Primarily restudies and duplicate work between projects.      
    6. Do the proposed changes to the Connection Process provide Market Participants with an improved awareness of potential congestion risk and related AIES system impacts?    
    7. Are you generally supportive of advancing the proposed Connection Process redesign, given the adjustments the AESO has made following stakeholder feedback?
    Take Survey
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Request for Feedback | Engagement Session Oct. 18, 2022

    The AESO values stakeholder input and invites all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the Connection Process Streamlining Design via the questions set out in the following Stakeholder Feedback form on or before Nov. 2, 2022. 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 begin the survey and 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 Nov. 2, 2022
    Complete Stakeholder Feedback
Page last updated: 09 Apr 2024, 02:36 PM