Cluster Assessments

To see how Cluster Assessments fit into the overall AESO Connection Process, see the graphic.

Cluster Assessments will be a new way for the AESO to assess projects. Instead of assessing projects individually, projects will be batched (i.e. clustered) and assessed together simultaneously. This is a common industry practice across many other North American ISOs.

The cluster assessment will include generation and storage projects injecting 5 MW or more into the Alberta interconnected electric system (AIES) at the facility’s connection to the AIES (i.e., the transmission or distribution system, as applicable). The first Cluster Assessment will assess projects with energization dates up to Aug. 31, 2028.

A graphical overview of the Cluster Assessment process is being developed and will be posted here when it is available.

Intake Window

SASR submissions for Cluster 1 with energization dates up to Aug. 31, 2028 will be accepted from 12:01am MST on April 3, 2023 to 11:59pm MST on Aug. 31, 2023. SASR submissions for Cluster 2 will be accepted starting on Sept. 1, 2023.

Note, to be considered for Cluster 1, a complete SASR must be received by 11:59pm MST on Aug. 31, 2023. See the SASR Guide below for a description of a complete SASR. Failure to submit a complete SASR by the SASR submission deadline for Cluster 1 may result in the SASR being processed for Cluster 2.

Processing Fee Dates

The Processing fee will be invoiced following submission of a complete SASR according to the schedule for 2023 below.

Preliminary Assessment Fee Dates

For all SASRs submitted during the intake window for Cluster 1, the AESO will issue an invoice for the preliminary assessment fee on September 12, 2023. Payment is due 30 days after the issuance of the invoice, on October 12, 2023.

Detailed Assessment Fee Dates 

All projects in Cluster 1 will receive an invoice for the detailed assessment fee with their Preliminary Assessment Package. The AESO is targeting December 31, 2023 to issue the Preliminary Assessment Packages. The target payment due date for the detailed assessment fee is January 29, 2024. 

Project Change Proposal Dates 

Upon review of the Preliminary Assessment Package, the market participant may wish to submit a Project Change Proposal. The target due date for Project Change Proposal submission is January 12, 2024. See the Project Change Proposal Guidelines for more information. 

Intake Window

SASR applications for Cluster 2 with energization dates up to May 31, 2029 can be submitted starting at 12:00am MDT on September 1, 2023. The intake window is estimated to close on May 31, 2024, subject to timely completion of Cluster 1.

Processing Fee Dates

The processing fee will be invoiced following submission of a complete SASR according to the schedule below. Additional dates for 2024 will be added to this table at a later time. 

See the Fee Guideline for more information about fees and their associated deadlines.

• SASR Template (Download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• SASR Guide
• Stage 0 PDUP Supplement 
• Project Change Proposal Guidelines

Sample Documents:

• Project Plan - Cluster Projects
• Preliminary Assessment Study Scope
• Preliminary Assessment Report

Required deliverables:

• SASR
• Processing Fee
• Preliminary Assessment Fee

Roles and Responsibilities:

Applicant

• Submits SASR
• Submits Processing Fee payment
• Submits Preliminary Assessment Fee payment

AESO

• Reviews SASR
• Issues Processing Fee invoice
• Assigns project name, number and AESO Project Manager
• Issues Preliminary Assessment fee invoice
• After completing all Stage 0 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging the project is included in the Stage 1 preliminary assessment

Required Deliverables:

• Project Plan
• Preliminary Assessment Study Scope 
• Preliminary Assessment Package which includes: 
  • Preliminary Assessment Report
  • Class 5 Cost Estimate
  • CCD (if necessary)
  • Invoice for Detailed Assessment Fee
• Detailed Assessment Fee

Roles and Responsibilities:

Market Participant

• Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope 
• Submits Detailed Assessment Fee payment 

TFO

• Reviews Project Plan and Study Scope 

AESO 

• Initiates project kick-off meeting 
• Completes Preliminary Assessment Study Scope  
• Issues Preliminary Assessment Package 
• Issues Detailed Assessment Fee invoice 
• After completing all Stage 1 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging the project is included in the Stage 2 detailed cluster study 

Additional Information: 

• Upon review of the Preliminary Assessment Package, the market participant may wish to submit a Project Change Proposal. See the Project Change Proposal Guidelines for more information.  

See the In-Flight Project Guideline for more information about in-flight projects.