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    Behind the Fence (BTF) Process

    Improvements to the AESO Connection Process are underway. See the Cluster Assessments page for more information. For an overview of how Cluster Assessments will fit into the AESO Connection Process, see the graphic here.

    This page is intended to provide an overview of the key deliverables and roles and responsibilities for a typical project as it follows the BTF Process. The key deliverables and roles and responsibilities described below may be modified based on the scope and complexity of the project.

    For a high-level summary of the Behind the Fence Process, see the Quick Reference Guide:

    • Acronym Reference
         

      AUC

      Alberta Utilities Commission

      CCD

      Construction Contribution Decision

      CEII

      Critical Energy Infrastructure Information

      DFO

      Distribution Facility Owner

      DTS

      Demand Transmission Service

      ETS

      Energy Trading System

      GFO

      Generation Facility Owner

      GUOC

      Generating Unit Owner’s Contribution

      ISD

      In-Service Date

      MC

      Maximum Capability

      MP

      Market Participant

      NID

      Needs Identification Document

      P&L

      Permit & License

      PDUP

      Project Data Update Package

      SAS

      System Access Service

      SASR

      System Access Service Request

      SLD

      Single Line Diagram

      STS

      Supply Transmission Service

      TFO

      Transmission Facility Owner

    Stage 0: Application

    Target Timeline: 2 weeks

    Stage 0 is the initiation stage of the Connection, Behind the Fence, and Contract Processes. In this stage, the market participant identifies a request for a new project by submitting a SASR to the AESO. The SASR is reviewed by the AESO for completeness and the project is initiated. The SASR is reviewed for completeness and the AESO may reach out to the market participant to clarify project information or to discuss project complexity. Upon completion of the review, the project is initiated.

    • Required Deliverables
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits SASR
      • Activates account in the CEII Request Portal

      AESO

      • Reviews SASR
      • Assigns project name and number and AESO Project Manager
      • After completing all Gate 0 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 0 completion to the market participant
    • Additional Information
      • For a list of initial steps to consider prior to submitting a SASR to the AESO, see the “Initiating a project” section on the Connecting to the grid page
      • Read the SASR Guide for guidance while completing the SASR
      • Review ID #2018-018T for further information about the AESO Connection Process
      • Read the Principles for External Engagement
      • Sign up for the AESO Stakeholder Newsletter for AESO updates in the footer of this webpage

    Stage 1: Scope

    Target Timeline: 8 weeks

    Stage 1 is the scoping stage of the project. This stage includes a project kick-off meeting which begins discussions regarding the Project Plan and Study Scope. The responsibilities and involvement of the AESO, TFO, GFO, market participant, and study consultant are determined for the project.

    • Required Deliverables
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Completes Study Scope
      • Reviews Project Plan
      • Uploads CEII to the CEII Request Portal
      • Reviews PDUP
      • After completing all Gate 1 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 1 completion to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits Stage 1 PDUP
      • Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope

      GFO

      • Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope

      TFO

      • Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Initiates project kick-off meeting
      • Completes Project Plan
      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • The market participant is responsible for performing the necessary studies for the project and is responsible for all project costs
      • The study consultant and TFO should attend the kick-off meeting
      • For information about how to use the CEII Request Portal, click here
      • Refer to the Project Data Update Package – Instruction Manual (PDUP-IM) for information about the content of the PDUP
      • Contact customer.connections@aeso.ca if you would like an example of a Study Scope

    Stage 2: Assessment

    Target Timeline: 14 weeks

    In Stage 2, engineering studies are completed to assess the impact of the project on the grid. The study results are reviewed by the AESO.

    • Required Deliverables
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Retrieves CEII from the CEII Request Portal
      • Submits Engineering Study Results and SLDs
      • Submits Stage 2 PDUP

      AESO

      • Reviews Engineering Study Results and SLDs
      • Reviews PDUP
      • Issues Proposal to Proceed
      • After completing all Gate 2 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 2 completion to the market participant

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • See the Connection Study Requirements for more information about how to perform the engineering studies
      • Ensure the study consultant communicates with the AESO's Study Engineer prior to starting any work and at any time when issues are identified during the study
      • See the Single Line Diagram (SLD) Guideline for information about the content of the SLDs.
      • For information about how to use the CEII Request Portal, click here
      • Refer to the Project Data Update Package – Instruction Manual (PDUP-IM) for information about the content of the PDUP
      • Set up early meetings with the TFO to understand any costs associated with the project scope
      • Market participants have the option to put a project on hold near the end of Stage 2. Please click here to view ID #2018-018T which contains more information.

    Stage 3/4: Technical and Contract

    Target Timeline: 26 weeks

    In Stage 3/4, the AESO issues the Functional Specification for the project and generators are granted power plant approval from the AUC. The market participant and the AESO sign the SAS Agreement.

    • Required Deliverables
      • Functional Specification
      • Direction Letter*
      • Cost Estimate*
      • Stage 3/4 CCD*
      • SAS Agreement*
      • GUOC Notice (generators only) 
      • Construction Contribution payment or refund*
      • GUOC payment (generators only)
      • Power Plant Approval (generators only)
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Issues Functional Specification and Direction Letter
      • Reviews Cost Estimate
      • Issues Stage 3/4 CCD
      • Issues GUOC Notice 
      • Executes the SAS Agreement
      • After completing all Gate 3/4 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 3/4 completion to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Executes the SAS Agreement
      • Makes construction contribution payment or receives construction contribution refund

      GFO

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Submits GUOC payment
      • Confirms Power Plant Approval received

      TFO

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Submits Cost Estimate

      AUC

      • Reviews Power Plant Application and, if approved, provides Power Plant Approval

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinate deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information

    Stage 5: Construction

    Target Timeline: Not applicable

    In Stage 5, any equipment or facility modifications occur, including the connection of a generator to the distribution system, and all parties prepare for energization.

    • Required Deliverables
      • 100 Day Energization Package which includes the Stage 5 PDUP
      • 30 Day Energization Package
      • ETS setup (generators only)
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Reviews items outlined in the Energization Package Requirements
      • Reviews application and sets up the GFO and the asset in ETS
      • After completing all Gate 5 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 5 completion to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package

      GFO

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package
      • Submits application to be set up in ETS

      TFO

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • The Energization Package Requirements provides a detailed list of deliverables and timelines required for energization of the project
      • A consolidated Stage 5 PDUP must be submitted by either the market participant, GFO, or TFO. Refer to the Project Data Update Package – Instruction Manual (PDUP-IM) for information about the content of the PDUP.
      • A Project Schedule Alignment is completed and signed by all parties near the beginning of Stage 5
      • See the Joining the energy market page for more information about how to apply to be set up in ETS
      • The market participant may be required to provide financial security to the AESO in this stage. See Section 103.3 of the ISO rules, Financial Security Requirements for more information.

       

    Stage 6: Close Out

    Target Timeline: Not applicable

    Stage 6 marks the ISD of the project and the final stage of the BTF Process. For generation projects, commissioning of the generator takes place prior to the commercial operation date of the facility.

    • Required Deliverables
      • Energization Authorization Letter
      • Post-Energization Package
      • Commissioning Certificate (generators only)
      • Model Validation Report (transmission-connected generators only)
      • Final Cost Report*
      • Stage 6 CCD*
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Issues Energization Authorization Letter
      • Reviews items outlined in the Energization Package Requirements
      • Issues Commissioning Certificate
      • Reviews Model Validation Report
      • Reviews Final Cost Report
      • Issues Stage 6 CCD
      • After completing all Gate 6 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 6 completion and closure of the project to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits required items in the Post-Energization Package

      GFO

      • Submits required items in the Post-Energization Package
      • Requests Commissioning Certificate
      • Submits Model Validation Report

      TFO

      • Submits Final Cost Report

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • The Energization Package Requirements provides a detailed list of deliverables and timelines required after energization of the project has occurred
      • To request the Commissioning Certificate, use the form here
      • See Section 504.5 of the ISO rules, Service Proposals and Cost Estimating and the related ID #2015-002R for more information about the Final Cost Report
      • For generators, refer to Section 502.6 of the ISO rules, Generating Unit Operating Requirements and Section 505.3 of the ISO rules, Coordinating Synchronization, Commissioning, WECC Testing and Ancillary Services Testing and the associated Information Documents for details about commissioning, testing, and the model validation report

       

    * May not be required depending on the scope and complexity of the project