Section 502.4

Background and Purpose

In 2018, the AESO initiated Stakeholder engagement to modify the existing requirements in COM-001-AB1-1.1, COM-002-AB1-2a, and Section 502.4. The objective of these existing authoritative documents is to ensure that the AESO and each applicable market participant have adequate and reliable voice and message telecommunication facilities, both internally and with others, for the exchange of connection and operating information necessary to maintain reliability.

The purpose of the Communication ISO Rule and Reliability Standards is to: (i) align the voice and message telecommunication facilities requirements with the latest NERC communication reliability standards; (ii) eliminate overlapping requirements in current AESO authoritative documents; and (iii) improve the clarity and organization of the voice communication, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System (“ADaMS”), and operating personnel communication protocol requirements within relevant AESO authoritative documents.

AESO Reply to Stakeholder Comments

On August 26, 2022, the AESO posted written comments from Stakeholders on the Communication ISO Rule and Reliability Standards. The AESO replies to comments, including the rationale or basis for the AESO’s position, are set out in the attached Stakeholder Comment and AESO Replies Matrix.

The AESO has made further amendments to COM-001-AB-3, COM-002-AB-4, and proposed amended ID# 2012-001RS and the proposed implementation timeline in response to comments received, including better alignment with NERC and to address grammatical errors. No comments were received from Stakeholders on Section 502.4, proposed new ID #2022-001 and proposed amended ID #2017-006R that warranted further amendments.

Consultation Letter materials

• Proposed new “emergency” definition [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• Blackline and clean copies of ID #2012-001RS [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-002-AB-4 comparison matrix [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-001-AB-3 comparison matrix [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-002-AB-4 Clean [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-002-AB-4 Blackline – Consultation to Final [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-002-AB-4 Blackline – Effective to Final [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-001-AB-3 Clean [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-001-AB-3 Blackline – Consultation to Final [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• COM-001-AB-3 Blackline – Effective to Final [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• Reply Matrix [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• Reply Letter [Posted: Dec. 15, 2022]
• Stakeholder Comments [Posted: Aug. 26, 2022]
• Proposed new ID #2022-001, Operating Personnel Communications Protocols [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Proposed amended ID #2017-006R, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System Requirements [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Proposed amended ID #2012-001RS, Communications [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Comparison Rationale Matrix for proposed new COM-002-AB-4 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Blackline and clean copy of Comparison Rationale Matrix for proposed new COM-001-AB-3 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Blackline and clean copy of proposed amended Section 502.4 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Copy of existing COM-002-AB1-2a [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Copy of existing COM-001-AB1-1.1 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Clean copy of proposed new COM-002-AB-4 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Clean copy of proposed new COM-001-AB-3 [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Stakeholder Comment Matrix [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]
• Consultation Letter [Posted: Jul. 27, 2022]

The AESO held a virtual stakeholder consultation session on May 10, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the communication ISO rules and reliability standards.

Purpose

The Development of the following Proposed New and Amended ISO rules and reliability standards:

• Proposed amendments to Section 502.4 of the ISO rules, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section 502.4”), to include only Automated Dispatch and Messaging System requirements;
• Proposed new reliability standard COM-001-AB-3, Communications (“COM-001-AB-3”), to include all voice communication system technical and operating requirements, including those previously proposed in proposed new Section 502.17 of the ISO rules, Voice Communication System Requirements; and
• Proposed new Alberta Reliability Standard COM-002-AB-4, Operating Personnel Communication Protocols (“COM-002-AB-4”), to include new operating personnel communication protocols.

This consultation session will solicit feedback from Stakeholders on the requirements of the Communication ISO Rules and Reliability Standards, including the AESO’s proposed approach to the organization of the Communication ISO Rules and Reliability Standards requirements which is described in the invitation. Along with the invitation, the AESO has posted clean and blacklines copies of draft communication ISO rules and reliability standards, comparison matrices, and related draft information documents.

Notice of Stakeholder Consultation Session and related materials

The Notice of Stakeholder Consultation Session - Webinar Information states that the AESO posted related material with the Invitation on March 29, 2022, including the draft proposed Communication ISO rules and Reliability Standards and draft amended AESO information documents. Stakeholders are asked to review the related material prior to the consultation session and prepare any questions and comments for discussion.

Session 3 materials

• Session Minutes [Posted: Jun. 20, 2022]
• Presentation [Posted: May 3, 2022]
• Notice of Stakeholder Consultation Session - Webinar Information [Posted: Apr. 19, 2022]
• Proposed Amended Information Document #2012-001RS, Communications [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Proposed Amended Information Document #2017-006R, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System Requirements [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Comparison Rationale Matrix for proposed new COM-002-AB-4 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Comparison Rationale Matrix for proposed new COM-001-AB-3 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Blackline copy of proposed new COM-002-AB-4 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Clean copy of proposed new COM-002-AB-4 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Blackline copy of proposed new COM-001-AB-3 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Clean copy of proposed new COM-001-AB-3 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Blackline copy of proposed amended Section 502.4 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Clean copy of proposed amended Section 502.4 [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Invitation [Posted Mar. 29, 2022]
• Save the Date [Posted: Mar. 15, 2022]

The AESO hosted a virtual stakeholder consultation session on the communication ISO rules and reliability standards on July 20, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Purpose

The Development of the Following Proposed New and Amended ISO Rules and Reliability Standards:

1. Proposed amendments to Section 502.4 of the ISO rules, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section 502.4”);
2. Proposed new Section 502.17 of the ISO rules, Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section 502.17”);
3. Proposed new Alberta Reliability Standard COM-001-3, Communications (“COM-001-AB-3”); and
4. Proposed new Alberta Reliability Standard COM-002-AB-4, Operating Personnel Communication Protocols (“COM-002-AB-4”),

collectively referred to as the (“communication ISO rules and reliability standards”)

Stakeholder comments

The AESO would like to use this opportunity to thank all Stakeholders who participated in this part of the ISO rules and reliability standards comment process. Written comments received by the deadline will be taken into consideration during the AESO’s development of the proposed new and amended communication ISO rules and reliability standards and can be found in the materials below. Stakeholder comments received after a specified deadline are considered at the discretion of the AESO.

Session 2 materials

• Late Stakeholder Comments [Posted: Sept 20, 2020]
• Stakeholder Comments [Posted: Aug. 26, 2020]
• Session Minutes [Posted: Sept. 11, 2020]
• Comment Matrix [Posted: July 28, 2020]
• Request for Feedback [Posted: July 28, 2020]
• Clean | Copy of Proposed Amended Section 502.4 [Posted: July 16, 2020]
• Blackline | Copy of Proposed Amended Section 502.4 [Posted: July 16, 2020]
• Clean |copy of Proposed New Section 502.17 [Posted: July 16, 2020]
• Clean | copy of Proposed New COM-001-AB-3 [Posted: July 16, 2020]
• Presentation [Posted: July 16, 2020]
• Draft Agenda [Posted: July 2, 2020]
• Invitation [Posted: July 2, 2020]
• Notice of Consultation Session [Posted: July 9, 2020]
• Save the Date for Stakeholder Consultation Session [Posted: June 17, 2020]

The AESO hosted an in-person stakeholder consultation session on the Development of the Proposed New
Section 502.17 of the ISO Rules – Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section502.17”) on July 9, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the AESO's BP Centre.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultation session is to review and address specific Stakeholder concerns outlined in the proposed agenda and to provide Stakeholders with an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback, including feedback regarding the information required in subsections 7.2(b) through 7.2(j) of Alberta Utilities Commission Rule 017, Procedures and Process for Development of ISO Rules and Filing of ISO Rules with the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Stakeholder comments

Thank you to all Stakeholders who participated in this part of the Stakeholder consultation. All written comments received will be considered in the AESO’s development of the proposed new Section 502.17 and can be found in the materials below.

Session 1 materials

• Consultation Update  [Posted: Nov. 28, 2019]
• Stakeholder Comments | New Section 502.17 [Posted: Sept. 10, 2019]
• Copy of Proposed New Section 502.17 Posted: March 19, 2019]
• Comment Matrix | Orderwire Attachment [Posted: July 25, 2019] 
• Comment Matrix [Posted: July 25, 2019] 
• Request for Feedback Proposed New Section 502.17 [Posted: July 25, 2019] 
• Session Minutes [Posted: July 23, 2019]
• Presentation [Posted: July 9, 2019]
• Invitation [Posted: June 27, 2019]
• Draft Agenda [Posted: June 4, 2019]
• Save the Date [Posted: June 4, 2019]

Related materials

Past Meeting Minutes and Presented Material related to the Development of the Proposed New Section 502.17 and the proposed amended Section 502.4 [Posted: July 2, 2019]

Between March and November 2018, the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) discussed and presented material related to the proposed new Section 502.17 of the ISO rules, Voice Communications System Requirements (“Section 502.17”) and the proposed amended Section 502.4 of the ISO rules, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section 502.4”) with its telecommunication work group and the Alberta Reliability Standards Discussion Group (“ARCDG”). The discussions that occurred were captured in meeting minutes.

At that time, it was not the AESO’s practice to publish its telecommunication work group and ARCDG meeting minutes and presented material on the AESO website. However, this practice was developed before the new Alberta Utilities Commission Rule 017, Procedures and Process for Development of ISO Rules and Filing of ISO Rules with the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC Rule 017”) came into effect. The AESO is of the view that it would be consistent with the new requirements of AUC Rule 017 to make public the portions of the meeting minutes and presented material that are relevant to the development of the proposed new Section 502.17 and the proposed amended Section 502.4.

These meeting minutes and presented material can be found through the links below. Please note that unrelated meeting minutes and presented material have been redacted, in addition to individual attendee names. Only the names of the organizations represented by the attendees have been included.

Telecommunication work group meeting minutes:

• March 15, 2018;
• May 24, 2018;
• May 30, 2018; and
• Nov.20, 2018.

Material presented at the May 24, 2018 and May 30, 2018 telecommunication work group meetings:

• Proposed New Section 502.17 (distributed May 17, 2018); and
• Proposed New Information Document ID #2018-006R, Voice Communications (distributed May 17, 2018).

Material presented at the November 20, 2018 telecommunication work group meeting:

• Telecom Work Group November 20, 2018 Presentation (Slides 1 to 6).

ARCDG Meeting Minutes:

• May 2, 2018.

 Material presented at the May 2, 2018 ARCDG meeting:

• Proposed New Section 502.17 (distributed April 20, 2018);and 
• Proposed New Information Document ID #2018-006R, Voice Communications (distributed April 20, 2018). 

Purpose

1. New Section 502.17 of the ISO Rules, Voice Communication System Requirements (“new Section 502.17”); and
2. Amendments to Section 502.4 of the ISO Rules, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements (“amended Section 502.4”)

Stakeholder comments

Thank you to all Stakeholders who participated in this ISO rules comment process. The AESO has provided replies to stakeholder comments. The AESO’s replies to comments, including the rationale or basis for the position of the AESO that explains why certain positions were rejected or accepted, are set out in the Stakeholder Comment & AESO Replies found in the materials below.

Notice of proposed new & amendment materials

• Late Stakeholder Comments to AESO Replies [Posted: July 3, 2019]
• Stakeholder Comments & AESO Replies | Proposed New Section 502.17 [Posted: April 18, 2019]
• Stakeholder Comments & AESO Replies | Amended Section 502.4 [Posted: April 18, 2019]
• Draft Proposed New Section 502.17 [Posted: March 19, 2019]
• Comment Matrix | Draft New Section 502.17 [Posted: March 19, 2019]
• Blackline| Draft Proposed Amended Section 502.4 [Posted: March 19, 2019] 
• Clean | Draft Proposed Amended Section 502.4 [Posted: March 19, 2019]
• Comment Matrix | Proposed Amended Section 502.4.
• Letter of Notice [Posted: March 19, 2019]

Purpose

The AESO has identified that certain amendments to the following authoritative documents are necessary to address content overlap and to improve the clarity of the requirements in:

1. Alberta Reliability Standards COM-001-AB1-1.1, Telecommunications (“COM-001-AB1-1.1”);
2. Alberta Reliability Standards COM-002-AB1-2a, Communications and Coordination (“COM-002-AB1-2a”); and
3. Section 502.4 of the ISO Rules, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements (“Section 502.4”)

Stakeholder comments

The AESO thanks all market participants who participated in this part of the ISO rules comment process. All written comments received will be considered in the AESO’s development of the proposed new and amended ISO Rules and are available in the materials below.

Notice for Development materials

• Stakeholder Comments [Posted: Oct. 30, 2018]
• Comment Matrix [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• ARS COM-001-AB1-1.1, Telecommunications [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• ARS COM-002-AB1-2a, Communications and Coordination [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• Section 502.4, Automated Dispatch and Messaging System and Voice Communication System Requirements [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• NERC Reliability Standard COM-001-2.1, Communications [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• NERC Reliability Standard COM-002-4, Operating Personnel Communications Protocols [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]
• Letter of Notice for Development [Posted: Oct. 9, 2018]