Cluster Assessment
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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
- Detailed Assessment Package which includes:
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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.