Reliability Standards Sync Up Project

Key Dates & Materials

December 19, 2025 | Stakeholder Feedback due

October 2, 2025 | Consultation Letter and supporting materials posted

Purpose

  • The purpose of the Reliability Standards Sync Up Project is to accelerate Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS) alignment with the NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and WECC (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) reliability standards by fostering targeted industry engagement and collaboration
  • The initiative marks a critical step forward in addressing the gap in standard adoption
  • Eliminating the gap will strengthen Alberta’s ability to address current and emerging reliability and security challenges while reducing future risks to the grid
  • It also supports the urgency of adapting swiftly to industry changes, enabling Alberta to participate more effectively in vital industry discussions
  • Upon completion of the Reliability Standards Sync Up Project, the AESO will aim to synchronize reliability standard development with WECC and NERC going forward

Background

  • Presently, Alberta is out of sync with over 50 reliability standards
  • This gap highlights the pressing need for accelerated standard adoption to ensure the system's reliability and to future-proof the ARS
  • Traditionally, the prioritization of standards in Alberta has followed a risk-based approach; however, we are transitioning toward consistent alignment with NERC and WECC standards
  • This shift is critical to addressing growing system risks, including large loads, inverter-based resources (IBRs) and cybersecurity

Key Dates & Materials

December 19, 2025 | Stakeholder Feedback due

October 2, 2025 | Consultation Letter and supporting materials posted

Purpose

  • The purpose of the Reliability Standards Sync Up Project is to accelerate Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS) alignment with the NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and WECC (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) reliability standards by fostering targeted industry engagement and collaboration
  • The initiative marks a critical step forward in addressing the gap in standard adoption
  • Eliminating the gap will strengthen Alberta’s ability to address current and emerging reliability and security challenges while reducing future risks to the grid
  • It also supports the urgency of adapting swiftly to industry changes, enabling Alberta to participate more effectively in vital industry discussions
  • Upon completion of the Reliability Standards Sync Up Project, the AESO will aim to synchronize reliability standard development with WECC and NERC going forward

Background

  • Presently, Alberta is out of sync with over 50 reliability standards
  • This gap highlights the pressing need for accelerated standard adoption to ensure the system's reliability and to future-proof the ARS
  • Traditionally, the prioritization of standards in Alberta has followed a risk-based approach; however, we are transitioning toward consistent alignment with NERC and WECC standards
  • This shift is critical to addressing growing system risks, including large loads, inverter-based resources (IBRs) and cybersecurity

  • Stakeholder Feedback | October 2 - December 19, 2025

    Purpose

    The Reliability Standards Sync Up Project aims to modernize the Alberta Reliability Standards. Following the Reliability Standards Discussion Group & Reliability Standards Sync Up Project Kick-Off session and the Stakeholder Feedback period, the AESO categorized the relevant Reliability Standards into two groups based on complexity: medium and high. 

    The AESO is seeking written comments from Stakeholders on the proposed amended and retired medium complexity Alberta Reliability Standards. The AESO values feedback and invites all interested Stakeholders to provide their comments via the Stakeholder Feedback Survey on or before December 19, 2025. All responses will be shared in their original format on AESO Engage.

    Instructions

    1. To submit your feedback, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
    2. Please click on the "Complete Stakeholder Feedback" box below to provide your specific comments.
    3. Please submit one completed Stakeholder Feedback survey per organization.
    4. Stakeholder Feedback results will be posted on AESO Engage, in their original state.
    5. Responses due on or before December 19, 2025.

    Stakeholder Questions

    1. Do you have any concerns that proposed BAL-004-WECC-AB-4, Automatic Time Error Correction (“BAL-004-WECC-AB-4 “) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    2. Do you have any concerns that proposed BAL-004-WECC-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    3. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of BAL-004-WECC-AB-4?
    4. Do you have any concerns that proposed CIP-012-AB-2, Communications between Control Centres (“CIP-012-AB-2”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    5. Do you have any concerns that proposed CIP-012-AB-2 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    6. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of CIP-012-AB-2?
    7. Do you have any concerns that proposed CIP-014-AB-3, Physical Security (“CIP-014-AB-3”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    8. Do you have any concerns that proposed CIP-014-AB-3 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    9. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of CIP-014-AB-3?
    10. Do you have any concerns that proposed EOP-004-AB-4, Event Reporting (“EOP-004-AB-4”). may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    11. Do you have any concerns that proposed EOP-004-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    12. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of EOP-004-AB-4?
    13. Do you have any concerns that proposed EOP-008-AB-2, Loss of Control Centre Functionality (“EOP-008-AB-2”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    14. Do you have any concerns that proposed EOP-008-AB-2 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    15. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date EOP-008-AB-2?
    16. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-001-AB-4, Facility Connection Requirements (“FAC-001-AB-4”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    17. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-001-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    18. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of FAC-001-AB-4?
    19. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-002-AB-4, Facility Connection Studies (“FAC-002-AB-4”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    20. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-002-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate?
    21. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date FAC-002-AB-4?
    22. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-008-AB-5, Facility Ratings (“FAC-008-AB-5”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    23. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-008-AB-5 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    24. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of FAC-008-AB-5?
    25. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-501-WECC-AB-4, Transmission Maintenance (“FAC-501-WECC-AB-4”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    26. Do you have any concerns that proposed FAC-501-WECC-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    27. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of FAC-501-WECC-AB-4?
    28. Do you have any concerns that proposed INT-006-AB-5, Evaluation of Interchange Transactions (“INT-006-AB-5”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    29. Do you have any concerns that proposed INT-006-AB-5 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    30. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date INT-006-AB-5?
    31. Do you have any concerns that proposed INT-009-AB-3, Implementation of Interchange (“INT-009-AB-3”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    32. Do you have any concerns that proposed INT-009-AB-3 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    33. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of INT-009-AB-3?
    34. Do you have any concerns with the proposed retirement of INTO-010-AB-2.1, Interchange Initiation and Modification for Reliability?
    35. Do you have any concerns that proposed IRO-006-WECC-AB-3, Qualified Path Unscheduled Flow Relief (“IRO-006-WECC-AB-3”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    36. Do you have any concerns that proposed IRO-006-WECC-AB-3 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    37. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of IRO-006-WECC-AB-3?
    38. Do you have any concerns that proposed PER-003-AB-2, Operating Personnel Credentials (“PER-003-AB-2”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate?
    39. Do you have any concerns that proposed PER-003-AB-2 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    40. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of PER-003-AB-2?
    41. Do you have any concerns with the proposed retirement of PER-004-AB-2, Reliability Coordination- Staffing?
    42. Do you have any concerns that proposed PER-005-AB1-2, Operations Personnel Training (“PER-005-AB1-2”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    43. Do you have any concerns that proposed PER-005-AB1-2 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    44. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of PER-005-AB1-2?
    45. Do you have any concerns that proposed PRC-006-AB-5, Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding (“PRC-006-AB-5”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    46. Do you have any concerns that proposed PRC-006-AB-5 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    47. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of PRC-006-AB-5?
    48. Do you have any concerns that proposed VAR-001-AB-5, Voltage and Reactive Control (“VAR-001-AB-5”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    49. Do you have any concerns that proposed VAR-001-AB-5 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    50. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of VAR-001-AB-5?
    51. Do you have any concerns that proposed VAR-501-WECC-AB-4, Power System Stabilizer (“VAR-501-WECC-AB-4”) may not support the public interest? If yes, please elaborate.
    52. Do you have any concerns that proposed VAR-501-WECC-AB-4 may be technically deficient? If yes, please elaborate.
    53. Do you have any concerns with the proposed implementation date of VAR-501-WECC-AB-4?
    54. Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns related to the draft proposed new and amended defined terms for the AESO’s Consolidated Authoritative Document Glossary? If so, please elaborate



    Complete Stakeholder Feedback
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Stakeholder Feedback | June 5 - July 7, 2025

    The AESO values stakeholder input and invites all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the ARS Sync Up project via the following stakeholder feedback form on or before July 7, 2025. Please be as specific as possible with your responses. Thank you for your input.


    Instructions

    1. To submit your feedback, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
    2. Please click on the "Complete Stakeholder Feedback" box below to provide your specific comments.
    3. Please submit one completed Stakeholder Feedback per organization.
    4. Stakeholder Feedback results will be posted on AESO Engage, in their original state.
    5. Responses due on or before 4 p.m. July 7, 2025. 


    Stakeholder Feedback Questions

    1. Do you agree with the proposed ARS categorization of medium and high complexity standards?
    2. If not, which ARS do you think should be re-categorized? Why?
    3. What criteria could the AESO use to evaluate the effectiveness of your ARS compliance program?
    4. What information would your entity be willing to provide to demonstrate an effective ARS compliance program?
    5. What other factors should form part of the AESO’s assessment process?
    6. Would you like to be involved in any further consultation on the ARCMP Entity Compliance Profile criteria?
    7. Would you like to be contacted to provide feedback on the AESO's review of the ARS Registration process?
Page last updated: 02 Oct 2025, 11:37 AM