Reliability Standards Sync Up Project

Important Dates & Materials

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

Important Dates & Materials

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
  • 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: 01 Aug 2025, 03:30 PM