August 13, 2025 | Stakeholder information session summary posted
July 25, 2025 | Stakeholder information session recording posted
July 17, 2025 | Stakeholder information session presentation posted
Purpose
We are engaging on the procurement of a new ancillary service - Fast Frequency Response Plus (“FFR+”) to meet the requirements outlined in the December 10, 2024 Government of Alberta direction letter, anticipated changes to the Transmission Regulation, and the now-effective ancillary services provisions in the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 52) (together, the “Direction”).
Through this engagement, the AESO is seeking input on the proposed design of FFR+, a new ancillary service intended to procure highly available fast frequency response to support full import flows on the Alberta-British Columbia and Montana-Alberta interties.
Background
The AESO is developing FFR+, a new, highly available ancillary service to provide a near-instantaneous response to arrest frequency decline following an intertie trip. The “plus” reflects that FFR+ is available at all times and may include other grid reliability services that are not procured through a market. The AESO is developing FFR+ in response to the Direction, which requires the AESO to procure ancillary services sufficient to support import flows of up to 800 MW capability of the Alberta-British Columbia intertie (which is expected to increase over time) and up to 300 MW on the Montana-Alberta intertie.
The AESO currently procures FFR through voluntary arrangements that do not guarantee high availability. To meet the new requirements, the AESO is proposing to competitively procure up to 750 MW of highly available FFR+ through commercial contracts.
How to use the Discussion Forum Tool
Important Materials and Deadlines
August 13, 2025 | Stakeholder information session summary posted
July 25, 2025 | Stakeholder information session recording posted
July 17, 2025 | Stakeholder information session presentation posted
Purpose
We are engaging on the procurement of a new ancillary service - Fast Frequency Response Plus (“FFR+”) to meet the requirements outlined in the December 10, 2024 Government of Alberta direction letter, anticipated changes to the Transmission Regulation, and the now-effective ancillary services provisions in the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 52) (together, the “Direction”).
Through this engagement, the AESO is seeking input on the proposed design of FFR+, a new ancillary service intended to procure highly available fast frequency response to support full import flows on the Alberta-British Columbia and Montana-Alberta interties.
Background
The AESO is developing FFR+, a new, highly available ancillary service to provide a near-instantaneous response to arrest frequency decline following an intertie trip. The “plus” reflects that FFR+ is available at all times and may include other grid reliability services that are not procured through a market. The AESO is developing FFR+ in response to the Direction, which requires the AESO to procure ancillary services sufficient to support import flows of up to 800 MW capability of the Alberta-British Columbia intertie (which is expected to increase over time) and up to 300 MW on the Montana-Alberta intertie.
The AESO currently procures FFR through voluntary arrangements that do not guarantee high availability. To meet the new requirements, the AESO is proposing to competitively procure up to 750 MW of highly available FFR+ through commercial contracts.
This series of questions are for stakeholders to consider after reading the Rationale for Ancillary Service Procurement for Intertie Restoration: Fast Frequency Response Plus (FFR+). Responses will help us ensure the engagement session on July 23 is informative and engaging.
This Discussion Forum will be open until 4:00 p.m. MT on Friday, July 4.
Things To Keep in Mind
This public forum serves as a collaborative space where stakeholders can share and discuss their thoughts, suggestions, and creative solutions. To maintain a respectful and constructive environment, it's essential that all content submitted is appropriate and adheres to community guidelines. This ensures that everyone's contributions are valuable and that the board remains a positive and inclusive space for dialogue and innovation. The AESO will use this initial input from stakeholders to finalize our content for the upcoming engagement session.
We are proposing the following three questions be discussed in breakouts at the session. Do you agree? If not, please provide input or suggest alternate questions along with rationale.
What role should a FFR market play (if any) in satisfying the requirements of the Direction to support full import flows?
Should stacking other reliability services not procured through a market be permitted using the same capacity procured for FFR?
Should new assets supported through long-term FFR+ contracts be permitted to participate in the market following the expiry of the contract? If so, under what conditions?
Is there another design for an ancillary service that the AESO should consider that balance the four objectives from Section 17.1(2) of the Act to satisfy the obligations of the Direction Letter?
