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    Cluster Assessment

    Process Updates

    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).  

    For information about projects in the current Cluster Assessment, please refer the Connection Project Reporting page.

    To see the latest congestion information related to the Cluster Assessment, please refer to the Cluster Assessment Reporting page.

    • 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
      Stage 2 required deliverables due: GUOC Evidence/Payment, Stage 3&4 Security Due, and updated dynamic model  November 29, 2024
    • Key Dates for Cluster 2

      The following key dates apply for Cluster 2:

      Milestone Date
      Intake window closes (SASR deadline) 11:59 pm MDT on October 18, 2024
      Preliminary Assessment Fee invoices issued November 15, 2024

      Stage 0 required deliverables due   

      • Accepted SASR
      • Preliminary Assessment Fee
      • Financial arrangement between Applicant and TFO
      December 16, 2024
      Connection Project List published showing the projects that are in Cluster 2 Stage 1 January 6, 2024
      Draft Preliminary Assessment Study Scope issued for Comments January 17, 2025
      Comments on Draft Preliminary Assessment Study Scope due February 3, 2025
      Further dates to be added as Cluster 2 progresses  

      The following graphic provides an overview of the Cluster 2 timeline.

    • Fees

      The fees applicable to Cluster Assessments are as follows:

      Fee Type Fee Amount (not including GST)
      Preliminary Assessment Fee The lower of $5,000+$150*(MC in MW) or $25,000
      Detailed Assessment Fee The lower of $20,000+$300*(MC in MW) or $65,000
      Change Assessment Fee $10,000 (if applicable)
      Reassessment Fee in the event of cancellation The lower of $20,000+$300*(MC in MW) or $65,000 (if applicable)

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

       

    • Stage 0: Application

      Stage 0 is the initiation stage of the project. In this stage, the market participant submits a SASR to the AESO during the SASR intake window. The SASR is initially reviewed for completeness and the market participant may be asked to correct any deficiencies in the application. Next, the SASR undergoes a technical review. The AESO may reach out to the market participant to clarify project information, correct errors or omissions, or to discuss project complexity. Upon completion of the review, the SASR is accepted. The remaining Stage 0 deliverables are completed by their associated deadlines and then the project is accepted into the Cluster.

      Required deliverables:

      • Accepted SASR
      • Preliminary Assessment Fee
      • Financial Arrangement between Applicant and TFO

      Roles and Responsibilities:

      Applicant

      • Submits SASR and required attachments
      • Submits Preliminary Assessment Fee payment
      • Enters into a financial arrangement with the TFO

      AESO

      • Reviews and accepts or rejects 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
    • Stage 1: Preliminary Assessment

      Stage 1 involves a preliminary assessment of the project’s impact on the grid and the AESO’s preferred connection alternative. The market participant is provided with the results of the assessment and a high-level cost estimate. The AESO also provides congestion estimate information. To proceed to the next stage, the market participant provides the required fee by the deadline. 

      Required Deliverables:

      • Project Plan
      • Preliminary Assessment Study Scope 
      • Preliminary Assessment Package which includes: 
        • Preliminary Assessment Report
        • Class 5 Cost Estimate
      • Congestion Estimate
      • Accepted dynamic model
      • 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 
      • Completes Congestion Estimate
      • Reviews dynamic model
      • 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.  
    • Stage 2: Detailed Assessment

      Stage 2 involves a detailed assessment of the project’s impact on the grid and the AESO’s preferred connection alternative. The market participant is provided with the results of the assessment, a facility scope, and a high-level cost estimate. The AESO also provides congestion assessment information and conceptual system plans. To proceed to the next stage, the remaining Stage 2 deliverables are completed by their associated deadlines.

      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

      Roles and Responsibilities:

      GFO

      • Submits GUOC evidence or payment
      • Provides Stage 3 & 4 security to the TFO

      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:

      • To estimate the GUOC amount, refer to the GUOC Estimate Calculator
      • 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.
    • 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

    If you have any questions about Cluster Assessments, please contact customer.connections@aeso.ca.