Cluster Assessment Process Implementation

This page was previously named Connection Process Streamlining

Government of Alberta Announcement on the Renewables Pause

On February 28, 2024, the Government of Alberta made an announcement about the Renewables Pause, specifically the AUC Module A. The AESO will assess the impact of this announcement to determine what this means for the connection process and renewables development overall. We will subsequently inform stakeholders of any potential adjustment to our connection process and Cluster Study process because of this announcement. For more information on the Government of Alberta’s announcement, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Renewed path forward for renewable energy.

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

Government of Alberta Announcement on the Renewables Pause

On February 28, 2024, the Government of Alberta made an announcement about the Renewables Pause, specifically the AUC Module A. The AESO will assess the impact of this announcement to determine what this means for the connection process and renewables development overall. We will subsequently inform stakeholders of any potential adjustment to our connection process and Cluster Study process because of this announcement. For more information on the Government of Alberta’s announcement, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Renewed path forward for renewable energy.

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
  • AUC Renewables Pause | Aug. 3, 2023 - Feb. 29, 2024

    February 28, 2024 | Government of Alberta Announcement

    On February 28, 2024, the Government of Alberta made an announcement about the Renewables Pause, specifically the AUC Module A. The AESO will assess the impact of this announcement to determine what this means for the connection process and renewables development overall. We will subsequently inform stakeholders of any potential adjustment to our connection process and Cluster Study process because of this announcement. For more information on the Government of Alberta’s announcement, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Renewed path forward for renewable energy.

    August 14, 2023 | AESO Connection Process Announcement

    In response to the recent Government of Alberta temporary pause on AUC approval of all new power plant applications for renewable energy and hydro projects over 1 MW, the AESO has issued a Connection Process Announcement to provide further clarity regarding the AESO’s Connection Process.

    During this temporary pause, the AESO will continue to progress System Access Service Requests (SASRs) on behalf of Market Participants following the established AESO Connection Process, including transitioning to the new cluster study assessments starting September 1, 2023.

    August 3, 2023 | Government of Alberta Announcement

    The Government of Alberta has decided to implement a pause on AUC approval of new renewable electricity generation projects over 1 MW. During this pause, in effect from August 3, 2023 to February 29, 2024, the AESO will continue to progress System Access Service Requests (SASRs) on behalf of Market Participants following the established AESO Connection Process, including transitioning to the new cluster study assessments starting September 1, 2023, as communicated to industry.

    For more information, please see the Government of Alberta News Release: Creating certainty for renewable projects.

  • Information Session | Jan. 31, 2024

    CLOSED: This session has concluded.
    On Jan. 31, 2024, the AESO held a virtual Information Session from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

    Purpose

    The AESO provided stakeholders with an update on the progress of Cluster 1, including updated congestion risk estimates.

    We also discussed the detailed deliverables and schedule for Stage 2 of Cluster 1 and outline changes that will be implemented for Cluster 2. Finally, a plan for stakeholder engagement activities in 2024 will be presented. Throughout the session, stakeholders had the opportunity to raise questions to the AESO through facilitated Q&A.

    Materials

    Are available on the right-hand side of the page under "AESO Materials".

  • Cluster Assessment Process Survey

    CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Purpose

    Stakeholders’ engagement, dialogue, and feedback over the last 1.5 years has been and will continue to be key to continuing the Connections Process Streamlining activities. The AESO would like to thank stakeholders in advance for their ideas, thoughts, and perspectives.

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

    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.

    The AESO will provide an update on what we heard from stakeholders in Q1, 2024.

  • Session 6 - Information Session | October 4, 2023

    CLOSED: This session has concluded.

    The AESO hosted a virtual Information Session on October 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

    Purpose

    The purpose of this session was to provide stakeholders with an update and more information on:

    • The volume and number of projects in Cluster 1 and the AESO’s approach for managing the significant interest for that cluster;
    • An update on the volume of projects meeting the AESO’s transition deadline to stay in the previous process; and
    • Providing insights on congestion estimates on transmission network pre Cluster 1.

    We also discussed the next steps for Cluster 1, and the AESO held a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.

    Materials

    Are available under AESO Materials on the right-hand side of this page.

  • Session 5 - Information Session | July 20, 2023

    CLOSED: This session has concluded.

    The AESO hosted a virtual Information Session on July 20, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

    Purpose

    The purpose of this session is to update stakeholders on the implementation of the Cluster Assessment Process. As we continue to accept System Access Service Requests (SASRs) and approach the initiation of the first cluster assessment on September 1st, 2023, the AESO will share an update of the transition plan and focus on Stage 1 implementation.

    We will also discuss the next steps, and the AESO will hold a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.

    Materials

    Are available under AESO Materials on the right-hand side of this page.

  • Session 4 - Implementation Update | March 28, 2023

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Purpose

    The purpose of this virtual session was to update stakeholders on the next steps related to the Connection Process streamlining engagement work that occurred over the last year. The AESO shared an overview of the transition plan, Stage 0, 1 and 2 and next steps for implementation. The AESO held a facilitated Q&A to respond to stakeholder questions.

    Materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.

  • Session 3 - Design Session | Oct. 18, 2022

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Purpose

    Building on the last two sessions, the purpose of this engagement was to share the AESO's streamlining design for the updated Connection Process with stakeholders. Following the presentation there were facilitated breakout discussions on key design components. Breakout topics were shared via the agenda prior to the session. A Q&A was available following the introductory presentation to respond to stakeholder questions. This was an in-person engagement session and participation was limited to attendees. Stakeholders were encouraged to review the materials from Session 1 - Kickoff and Session 2 - World Café in preparation for this engagement session.

    Stakeholder Feedback

    The AESO requested stakeholders share their feedback on the Connection Process Streamlining design through a Survey that ran from December 2022 to January 2023. The Survey summary can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.


    Design Session materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.


  • Session 2 - World Café | June 28, 2022

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Purpose

    The purpose of this session was to engage with stakeholders and gather feedback on potential streamlining areas for the AESO’s Connection Process. The AESO held an in-person World Café style session, where topics were previously shared via the agenda on the AESO Engage website. A facilitated Q&A was available following the introductory presentation to respond to stakeholder questions.

    World Café session materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.


  • Session 1 - Kickoff | May 19, 2022

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Purpose

    This session is intended to provide stakeholders with background on the changing nature of the projects being managed in the Connection Process, the resulting challenges that have arisen, and an understanding of implications to the current portfolio of projects. A review of the overall plan for the Connection Process Streamlining initiative will be shared, and stakeholders will be informed of how they can prepare for the next session in the engagement.

    At this session, stakeholders were updated on the current state of the AESO’s Connection Process, and the Connection Process Streamlining initiative was kicked off. The AESO shared plans to engage with stakeholders on the Connection Process, with the objective of improving efficiency and reducing red tape. A facilitated Q&A was available to respond to stakeholder questions.

    Specific session objectives included:

    • Update on the changing landscape of the projects being managed in the Connection Process
    • Review current state challenges and impacts
    • Share plans for the Connection Process Streamlining initiative
    • Prepare stakeholders for the next engagement session

    Kickoff materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section on the right-hand side of the page.


Page last updated: 28 Feb 2024, 01:05 PM