Stakeholder Updates

May 30, 2025 | Feedback Due | Written Feedback Form for Stakeholder Alternate Proposals

May 2, 2025 | Deadline for OTP & TRP Sprint 1 In-person Registration

May 1, 2025 | OTP & TRP Framework Options Paper Stakeholder Written Feedback Posted

April 16, 2025

Stakeholder Proposals on the OTP & TRP Framework | Apr. 16 - May 5, 2025

Purpose

An important piece of the first sprint, which will run from May 12 - 15, 2025, will be to hear stakeholders' perspectives and proposals on what they think the OTP & TRP framework could look like.

The intent of these presentations is to broaden the initial starting points and hear different points of view, help identify misalignment early and collaboratively shape the OTP/TRP design.

Questions

All proposals must align with the OTP engagement development objective and adhere to its principles. Specifically, each proposal should:

1. Demonstrate alignment with the OTP Framework's Objective & Principles

All proposals should demonstrate how the alternative supports in the development of economically-efficient transmission projects.

Your stated assumptions on the role of TRP within the framework.

2. Promote Transparency

All presentations should clearly outline all methods, assumptions, and rationale leveraged in its development.

All assumptions used in the proposal's design or assessment should be consistent with those already established within REM and other AESO initiatives

3. Ensure Reasonable Implementation

Topics and perspectives presented should be compatible, functionally aligned, and feasible with the REM and other initiatives that work within the Alberta Market.

Instructions

  1. Stakeholder proposals are limited to 30-minutes of presenting and 15 minutes Q&A.
  2. You have the opportunity to bring a subject matter expert from your organization to assist with presenting your proposal.
  3. To submit your proposal, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
  4. Click on the "Submit Stakeholder Proposal" box below to submit proposals.
  5. One proposal per organization.
  6. All proposals will be shared on AESO Engage (unless otherwise requested).
  7. Proposals are due on or before May 5, 2025.


March 31, 2025

OTP Framework Options Paper Posted | Written Feedback | Mar. 31 - Apr. 30, 2025

Purpose

The AESO has identified outstanding questions for stakeholders to consider and respond to, following the publication of the OTP Framework Options Paper, which relate to the further development of the OTP framework design. The AESO values stakeholder input and invites all interested parties to provide their feedback on the OTP Framework Options Paper via the following stakeholder feedback form by April 30, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. MT. Please be as specific as possible with your responses. Thank you for your input.

Questions

Based on the OTP Framework Options Paper, please provide comments on the key decisions and options presented in the following questions:

1. Do you align with the intent of the objectives and principles presented in the OTP Framework Options Paper? Do you require additional clarification or information?

2. Decision A1: How should “optimal” be defined in OTP?

  • Non-zero congestion thresholds or other models
  • Multi-value benefit/cost framework

3. Decision A2: How should transmission needs be assessed?

  • Separate planning process for each type of driver
  • Consolidated, multi-driver planning process

4. Decision A3:Over what planning horizon should OTP be applied?

  • Long-term only
  • Near-term and long-term

5. Decision B1: What is the appropriate overall benefits perspective?

  • Total electricity system cost
  • Ratepayer impacts only

6. Decision B2: What criteria should be used to evaluate and select solutions?

  • Net benefits
  • Benefit-to-cost ratios
  • Benefit-to-cost ratios and net benefits
  • Least regrets

7. Decision B3: How should potential solutions be assessed?

  • Project-based
  • Portfolio-based
  • Project-based and portfolio-based

8. Decision B4: What benefits should be considered and calculated?

  • Prescriptive
  • Flexible with guidelines

9. Decision B5: How to capture a realistic level of congestion cost in planning?

  • Scaling for missing congestion
  • Refine model to quantify missing congestion
  • Scaling with model improvement

10. Decision B6: How should generation investment cost be considered?

  • Ignore generation investment costs reduction
  • Quantify generation investment cost savings when relevant

11. Is there any design element missing from the OTP Framework Options Paper? If so, please provide details on the element and its importance to the OTP framework development:

12. The AESO OTP Options Framework Paper proposes using the above non-exhaustive decisions and options as a starting point for engaging stakeholders in the development of the OTP framework design in Alberta. Do you have an alternative OTP framework design for Alberta? If so, please summarize.

13. Based on the OTP methodology that is presented in the appendix, should the Transmission Reinforcement Payment (TRP) factor into that OTP methodology? If so, please summarize.

14. If you have an alternative OTP framework design, should the Transmission Reinforcement Payment factor into that alternative approach? If so, please summarize.

March 26, 2025

We will be holding a virtual Optimal Transmission (OTP) and Transmission Reinforcement Payment (TRP) Information Session on Tuesday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., open to all interested stakeholders. Register to attend.

We will answer questions and address the following:

  • OTP Framework Options Paper highlights
  • TRP objectives and foundation overview
  • OTP and TRP engagement plan details
  • Associated timelines and participation opportunities
  • Scope for upcoming OTP/TRP sprint sessions

Feb. 19, 2025
Upcoming OTP Discussions within REM Design Finalization Week 1 | Feb. 25 - 28, 2025

On the first day of the Restructured Energy Market (REM) Design Finalization Session (Week 1), the AESO will present an overview of the 2025 engagement activities across the REM, Optimal Transmission Planning (OTP) and Tariff engagements. If you are interested in attending virtually, please register here.

Jan. 29, 2025
OTP Practice in Other Jurisdictions

We are reviewing how OTP is utilized globally. Although the OTP framework is new to Alberta, it has been practiced in other jurisdictions. If you are interested in learning more about how other jurisdictions approach optimal transmission planning, please see the attachment for links to jurisdictional examples and information. Additionally, we would like to hear from you on the questions provided below.

  1. Are there other jurisdictions with OTP practices that the AESO should further explore? If yes, please highlight specific element(s) of certain OTP practices you would like us to focus on, as well as the resulting benefits to an Alberta framework.
  2. Do you have any additional attachments or formatted versions of your responses that you would like to submit? If so, please submit here.

Examples include:

  • Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
  • California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
  • Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
  • European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)
  • Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
  • New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)
  • Southwest Power Pool (SPP)

Jan. 13, 2025

Following the closing of the initial written feedback consultation period, the AESO will review and consider the responses as we continue to progress details on the proposed stakeholder engagement process for a move towards an OTP Framework. Please view the Survey Responses Report.

The AESO has summarized high-level themes from within the feedback responses, capturing what we heard from stakeholders:

  • Generally, stakeholders are supportive of the proposed engagement approach of inform, consult, and a written feedback mechanism, but more detail is needed to give fulsome feedback on the proposed engagement framework
  • Most commonly, Stakeholders have highlighted the importance of the proposed OTP engagement working alongside the REM and Tariff engagements. Stakeholders need to participate in all engagements and require time to prepare thoughtful feedback for other AESO engagements as well
  • Stakeholders have also highlighted:
    • A clear plan that includes the scope, milestones, time commitment, definitions, analysis, and a clear governance structure (including AUC approvals) is paramount
    • Stakeholders will be strained to meet the time commitments of all these initiatives, in addition to their regular obligations
    • Small organizations do not have the same resources to participate, and therefore, the consultations may be skewed towards participants with the greatest resources
    • The AESO should be mindful and flexible as decisions are made in one engagement; outcomes and results may affect other decisions made in previous engagements. I.e. the AESO should be open to revisiting decisions in REM if they do not align with the OTP direction (Tariff as well, once that engagement is underway)
    • Data and analytics will be crucial to the timeline; the AESO should prepare and share as much information as possible in advance
    • More detail is needed on incumbent rights and recognition of long-time investment in the system

Watch for more information in Q1 on upcoming engagement opportunities.

Thank you for your interest, participation, and contributions during the early stages of the proposed OTP Framework stakeholder engagements.