Rules & Standards
The AESO provides a number of documents for transmission customers and market participants so they have the information they need to ensure their compliance with the AESO’s requirements for ensuring the safe, reliable and fair operation of the electricity system.
These documents include:
Independent System Operator (ISO) Rules
All market participants are expected to comply with the Electric Utilities Act of Alberta and the ISO Rules. Each participant is bound by the rules, which are defined as including the rules, practices, policies and procedures that regulate the operation of the market.
Operating Policies and Procedures (OPPs)
The rules document includes the OPPs, which establish the technical standards, and operating policies and procedures for the safe, reliable and economic operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES).
Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS)
The AESO currently operates to NERC and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards in accordance with the Transmission Regulation. It is leading an initiative to implement Mandatory Reliability Standards (MRS) in Alberta and develop a compliance monitoring and enforcement program for the province.
Settlement System Code (SSC)
The rules document includes the SSC, which was created in 2000 to document and legislate the roles, standard practices and process of the various organizations involved in load settlement in the province. This includes Wire Owners, Wire Service Providers, Load Settlement Agents, Meter Data Managers, Retailers, Self-Retailers, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and the Department of Energy.
Transmission Interconnection Requirements
These technical requirements document how the Alberta transmission system is operated and developed.
Ancillary Services Technical Requirements
This document contains the specific technical requirements that must be met by parties offering operating reserves to the AESO.