Reliability Standards Discussion Group

Important Dates & Materials

April 21 & 22 | Save the Date | Reliability Standards Workshop stakeholder sessions to be hosted April 21 & 22, 2026

Mar. 5 - Mar. 20 | Stakeholder Feedback Period | WECC Stakeholder Participation & Information‑Sharing Survey

Feb. 26 | February 2026 RSDG Update Session Materials Posted:

Purpose

The purpose of the Reliability Standards Discussion Group (RSDG) is to provide an open forum for stakeholders and the AESO to have high-level, non-technical discussions about the Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS) Program, and NERC and WECC reliability standards. Specific objectives are to inform stakeholders of upcoming ARS under development, to discuss with stakeholders ARS program lifecycle continuous improvements, and to provide a forum for general questions or concerns about ARS to be introduced and next steps considered. The RSDG meets three times a year.

The RSDG is an Alberta Reliability Council (ARC) working group.

In-scope

  • RSDG will include ARS program work plan updates, ARS program lifecycle continuous improvements discussions and updates, and ARS open industry discussion.

Out-of-scope

  • Detailed content discussions on specific ARS material during any phase of the ARS lifecycle will occur at a Reliability Standards Workshop (RSW).
  • ARS enforcement is under the mandate of the MSA. As a result, it will not be discussed at RSDG meetings.

Important Dates & Materials

April 21 & 22 | Save the Date | Reliability Standards Workshop stakeholder sessions to be hosted April 21 & 22, 2026

Mar. 5 - Mar. 20 | Stakeholder Feedback Period | WECC Stakeholder Participation & Information‑Sharing Survey

Feb. 26 | February 2026 RSDG Update Session Materials Posted:

Purpose

The purpose of the Reliability Standards Discussion Group (RSDG) is to provide an open forum for stakeholders and the AESO to have high-level, non-technical discussions about the Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS) Program, and NERC and WECC reliability standards. Specific objectives are to inform stakeholders of upcoming ARS under development, to discuss with stakeholders ARS program lifecycle continuous improvements, and to provide a forum for general questions or concerns about ARS to be introduced and next steps considered. The RSDG meets three times a year.

The RSDG is an Alberta Reliability Council (ARC) working group.

In-scope

  • RSDG will include ARS program work plan updates, ARS program lifecycle continuous improvements discussions and updates, and ARS open industry discussion.

Out-of-scope

  • Detailed content discussions on specific ARS material during any phase of the ARS lifecycle will occur at a Reliability Standards Workshop (RSW).
  • ARS enforcement is under the mandate of the MSA. As a result, it will not be discussed at RSDG meetings.

  • October 27, 2022

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The AESO hosted a hybrid session on October 27, 2022, from 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.

    Purpose

    The purpose of the session was to engage stakeholders in discussions on the AESO’s ARS Program, and specifically engage stakeholders in a discussion on the proposed risk-based approach. Session objectives include:

    • ARS Program Enhancement Roadmap Activities
      • Present, discuss and seek feedback on the AESO’s proposed risk-based approach
      • Share our key learnings from RSDG stakeholder feedback
      • Present the RSDG and RSW (Reliability Standards Workshop) final approaches
    • October 2022 ARS Program Work Plan
    • Open Industry Discussion on ARS Program

    Stakeholder Comments

    The AESO sought written feedback on the AESO's proposed risk-based approach following the ARS Program Enhancements Stakeholder Session hosted on Nov 21, 2022. We value stakeholder feedback, and we thank you for sharing your perspectives with us. All stakeholder comments received on the AESO's proposed risk-based approach, proposed approach to developing a risk-based methodology for the compliance monitoring program, and the proposed pace and activities schedule for 2023 are available in the Stakeholder Submissions section.

    Materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section

  • RSDG Launch | June 8, 2022

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The AESO hosted a hybrid stakeholder session on June 8, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

    Purpose

    The purpose of the session was to engage stakeholders in discussions on the AESO’s ARS Program. Specific session objectives include:

    • Present and seek feedback on our proposed approach to RSDG and to technical working groups (TWGs);
    • Discuss our interim ARS Program Work Plan; and
    • Have an open discussion to receive feedback on the ARS program

    Stakeholder comments

    We value stakeholder feedback, and we thank you for sharing your perspectives with us. All stakeholder comments received on the AESO's approach to RSDG and TWGs and the interim ARS Program Work Plan are available in the Stakeholder Submissions section.

    Materials

    Can be found in the AESO Materials section.

Page last updated: 10 Mar 2026, 05:44 PM