Purpose

The AESO is initiating a new engagement on Bulk Transmission Line Technical Requirements. Desired outcomes of this engagement include:

1. Identifying cost-reduction opportunities for bulk transmission line projects;
2. Providing enhanced clarity to stakeholders about the existing bulk transmission line technical requirements, with a goal of receiving fewer waiver and variance requests about the requirements; and
3. Exploring and discussing recent changes in technology and standards relating to bulk transmission lines.

The AESO has developed the initial Issues List for stakeholders’ consideration and a series of Stakeholder Feedback Survey questions that will inform the AESO’s determination of the scope of the engagement. The AESO intends to host roundtable technical discussions during Q2 and Q3 of 2023 and invites interested stakeholders to participate. Given the subject matter of the engagement, the AESO envisions active participation from the following parties operating in Alberta:

• transmission facility owners;
• all types of industrial systems (i.e., not limited to industrial systems designated by the Alberta Utilities Commission) with transmission facilities;
• generating facility owners who have built or are intending to build transmission facilities under the Market Participant Choice program; and
• other parties who, in the AESO's view, are able to provide valuable input during the roundtable discussions.

To promote process efficiency, participation in the roundtable technical discussions will allow for one primary representative and one delegate. If both the primary and delegate representative are available, both representatives may attend the roundtable. The AESO will also provide periodic updates to participants not actively participating but who remain interested in the status of the engagement.

If, as a result of this engagement, the AESO determines that changes to AESO authoritative documents are required, these will be addressed through the applicable processes for developing ISO rules and Alberta reliability standards.

Background

Bulk Transmission Line Technical Requirements are primarily addressed in Section 502.2 of the ISO rules, Bulk Transmission Line Technical Requirements (“Section 502.2”). Section 502.2 has been in effect since January 1, 2012, to ensure a consistent approach to the design and operation of bulk transmission lines within Alberta. Section 502.2 addresses the minimum technical requirements in the areas of line design, construction, and operation to facilitate a fair, cost effective, and reliable transmission system.

In 2014, the AESO formed a technical working group (“TWG”) to review the minimum requirements for the design, construction and operation of bulk transmission lines. The TWG met multiple times between 2014 and 2018 to clarify requirements in Section 502.2 and explore opportunities to reduce transmission facility costs.

In 2019, the review of Section 502.2 was paused as a result of other AESO initiatives. Considering the amount of time that has elapsed since the initiation of the original TWG, the AESO is of the view that initiating a fresh engagement on bulk transmission line technical requirements would be more efficient than continuing with the prior consultation. Accordingly, the AESO has archived the prior consultation and is initiating this new engagement in Spring 2023.