Cluster Assessments
Attention Market Participants
The AESO is providing a one-time waiver of the reassessment fee for Cluster 1 projects that are cancelled prior to entering Stage 3, either as a result of a request for cancellation or because Stage 2 gate requirements are not met. The reassessment fee is being waived as the Cluster 1 schedule, including material financial commitments, coincides with the ongoing Restructured Energy Market engagement.
The previously communicated timelines for Cluster 1 remain unchanged. As a reminder, to stay in the AESO Connection Process and advance to Stage 3, projects in Cluster 1 are required to meet Stage 2 gate requirements by November 29, 2024. Stage 2 gate requirements include GUOC evidence or payment, acceptance of revised dynamic files (if required), and confirmation of Stage 3 & 4 Security to the TFO (if applicable).
Additionally:
- Cluster 1 projects that wish to re-apply for Cluster 2 must cancel the associated Cluster 1 project before submission of a system access service request (SASR) in Cluster 2. The Cluster 2 SASR submission deadline remains October 18, 2024.
- Cluster 1 projects that meet Stage 2 gate requirements and continue in the AESO Connection Process will be subject to the reassessment fee should the project be cancelled at a later date.
Please click here to read more information about the reassessment fee waiver.
To read the previous June 5, 2024 announcement about schedule updates to Cluster 1 and 2 please click here.
Questions regarding the above can be raised to your assigned AESO Project Manager or customer.connections@aeso.ca.
The Cluster Assessment Process
The AESO has implemented changes to the AESO Connection Process to now include the Cluster Assessment Process. For further details and background on these changes, stakeholder engagement material can be found on the AESO Engage page for the Cluster Assessment Process Implementation initiative. Stakeholder engagement is on-going, and you may register on that page to stay informed.
The AESO is currently finalizing the details of the Cluster Assessment Process. The following information is provided to explain key elements of the process. As new information is developed, it will be posted on this page.
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AESO Connection Process Overview
To see how Cluster Assessments fit into the overall AESO Connection Process, see the graphic.
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Cluster Assessment Overview
Cluster Assessments are a new way for the AESO to assess projects. Instead of assessing projects individually, projects are batched (i.e. clustered) and assessed together simultaneously. This is a common industry practice across many other North American ISOs.
The cluster assessment includes generation and energy storage projects that will inject at least 5 MW of new or additional flow into the Alberta interconnected electric system (AIES) at the facility’s connection to the AIES (i.e., the transmission or distribution system, as applicable).
A graphical overview of the Cluster Assessment process is being developed and will be posted here when it is available.
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Key Dates for Cluster 1
Stage 2 Dates
The following key dates apply in Stage 2:
Milestone Date Detailed Assessment Packages Issued June 28, 2024 Change Proposal Submissions Due October 18, 2024 GUOC Evidence/Payment and Stage 3&4 Security Due November 29, 2024 -
Projects in Cluster 1
For a list of projects in Cluster 1, please refer to the Connection Project List on the Connection Project Reporting page.
To see congestion information for Cluster 1, please refer to the congestion estimate heat maps on the Cluster Assessment Reporting page.
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Key Dates for Cluster 2
Intake Window
SASR applications for Cluster 2 with energization dates up to October 18, 2029 can now be submitted. The intake window will close at 11:59pm MDT on October 18, 2024.
For an overview of the timeline for Cluster 2, see the following graphic.
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Fees
See the Fee Guideline for more information about fees and their associated deadlines.
- Recent Templates and Documents
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Stage 0 Process
Required deliverables:
- SASR
- Preliminary Assessment Fee
- Financial Arrangement between Applicant and TFO
Roles and Responsibilities:
Applicant
- Submits SASR
- Submits Preliminary Assessment Fee payment
- Enters into a financial arrangement with the TFO
AESO
- Reviews SASR
- 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 an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 1
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Stage 1 Process
Required Deliverables:
- Project Plan
- Preliminary Assessment Study Scope
- Preliminary Assessment Package which includes:
- Preliminary Assessment Report
- Class 5 Cost Estimate
- 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 Project Plan
- 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 an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 2
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.
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Stage 2 Process
Required deliverables:
- Detailed Assessment Package which includes:
- Detailed Assessment Report
- Project Connection Assessment
- Facility Scope
- Class 5 Cost Estimate
- Congestion Assessment
- Conceptual System Plan
- GUOC Evidence or Payment
- Stage 3 & 4 Security
- Updated dynamic model (if required)
Roles and Responsibilities:
GFO
- Submits GUOC evidence or payment
- Provides Stage 3 & 4 security to the TFO
- Submits updated dynamic model (if required)
TFO
- Provides input into Facility Scope
AESO
- Issues Detailed Assessment Package
- Completes Congestion Assessment and Conceptual System Plan
- After completing all Stage 2 required deliverables by the appropriate deadlines, the AESO issues an email acknowledging the project has advanced to Stage 3
Additional Information:
- Upon review of the Detailed Assessment Package, the market participant may wish to submit a Project Change Proposal. See the Project Change Proposal Guidelines for more information.
- Detailed Assessment Package which includes:
If you have any questions about Cluster Assessments, please contact customer.connections@aeso.ca.
