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    Behind the Fence (BTF) Process

    BTF Process Overview

    The BTF Process applies to projects that are altering existing facilities connected to the transmission system which results in the market participant having to submit data to the AESO pursuant to Section 503.21 of the ISO rules, Reporting Facility Modelling Data. The project may arise from new, altered, or decommissioned market participant facilities. A project involving a distributed energy resource (DER) is typically a BTF project.

    Stage 3/4: Technical and Contract

    Target Timeline: 26 weeks

    In Stage 3/4, the AESO issues the Functional Specification for the project and generators are granted power plant approval from the AUC. The market participant and the AESO sign the SAS Agreement.

    • Required Deliverables
      • Functional Specification
      • Direction Letter*
      • Cost Estimate*
      • Stage 3/4 CCD*
      • SAS Agreement*
      • GUOC Notice (generators only) 
      • Construction Contribution payment or refund*
      • GUOC payment (generators only)*
      • Power Plant Approval (generators only)
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Issues Functional Specification and Direction Letter
      • Reviews Cost Estimate
      • Issues Stage 3/4 CCD
      • Issues GUOC Notice 
      • Executes the SAS Agreement
      • After completing all Gate 3/4 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 3/4 completion to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Executes the SAS Agreement
      • Makes construction contribution payment or receives construction contribution refund

      GFO

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Submits GUOC payment
      • Confirms Power Plant Approval received

      TFO

      • Reviews Functional Specification
      • Submits Cost Estimate

      AUC

      • Reviews Power Plant Application and, if approved, provides Power Plant Approval

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinate deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information

    Stage 5: Construction

    Target Timeline: Not applicable

    In Stage 5, any equipment or facility modifications occur, including the connection of a generator to the distribution system, and all parties prepare for energization.

    • Required Deliverables
      • 100 Day Energization Package which includes the Stage 5 PDUP and Financial Security for SAS Agreements
      • 30 Day Energization Package
      • ETS setup (generators only)
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Reviews items outlined in the Energization Package Requirements
      • Reviews application and sets up the GFO and the asset in ETS
      • After completing all Gate 5 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 5 completion to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package

      GFO

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package
      • Submits application to be set up in ETS

      TFO

      • Submits required items in the 100 Day Energization Package
      • Submits required items in the 30 Day Energization Package

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • The Energization Package Requirements provides a detailed list of deliverables and timelines required for energization of the project
      • A consolidated Stage 5 PDUP must be submitted by either the market participant, GFO, or TFO. Refer to the Project Data Update Package – Instruction Manual (PDUP-IM) for information about the content of the PDUP.
      • A Project Schedule Alignment is completed and signed by all parties near the beginning of Stage 5
      • See the Joining the energy market page for more information about how to apply to be set up in ETS
      • The market participant may be required to provide financial security to the AESO in this stage. See Section 103.3 of the ISO rules, Financial Security Requirements for more information.

       

    Stage 6: Close Out

    Target Timeline: Not applicable

    Stage 6 marks the ISD of the project and the final stage of the BTF Process. For generation projects, commissioning of the generator takes place prior to the commercial operation date of the facility.

    • Required Deliverables
      • Energization Authorization Letter
      • Post-Energization Package
      • Commissioning Certificate (generators only)
      • Model Validation Report (transmission-connected generators only)
      • Final Cost Report*
      • Stage 6 CCD*
    • Roles and Responsibilities

      AESO

      • Issues Energization Authorization Letter
      • Reviews items outlined in the Energization Package Requirements
      • Issues Commissioning Certificate
      • Reviews Model Validation Report
      • Reviews Final Cost Report
      • Issues Stage 6 CCD
      • After completing all Gate 6 requirements, the AESO issues a letter acknowledging Gate 6 completion and closure of the project to the market participant

      MARKET PARTICIPANT

      • Submits required items in the Post-Energization Package

      GFO

      • Submits required items in the Post-Energization Package
      • Requests Commissioning Certificate
      • Submits Model Validation Report

      TFO

      • Submits Final Cost Report

      INTEGRATED PM

      • Coordinates meetings and takes meeting minutes
      • Coordinates deliverables between AESO, market participant, and TFO
    • Additional Information
      • The Energization Package Requirements provides a detailed list of deliverables and timelines required after energization of the project has occurred
      • To request the Commissioning Certificate, use the form here
      • See Section 504.5 of the ISO rules, Service Proposals and Cost Estimating and the related ID #2015-002R for more information about the Final Cost Report
      • For generators, refer to Section 503.19, 503.20  and  505.3 of the ISO rules, for details about commissioning, testing, and the model validation report

       

    • Acronym Reference
         

      AUC

      Alberta Utilities Commission

      CCD

      Construction Contribution Decision

      CEII

      Critical Energy Infrastructure Information

      DFO

      Distribution Facility Owner

      DTS

      Demand Transmission Service

      ETS

      Energy Trading System

      GFO

      Generation Facility Owner

      GUOC

      Generating Unit Owner’s Contribution

      ISD

      In-Service Date

      MC

      Maximum Capability

      MP

      Market Participant

      NID

      Needs Identification Document

      P&L

      Permit & License

      PDUP

      Project Data Update Package

      SAS

      System Access Service

      SASR

      System Access Service Request

      SLD

      Single Line Diagram

      STS

      Supply Transmission Service

      TFO

      Transmission Facility Owner

    Note: This page is intended to provide an overview of the key deliverables and activities for a typical project as it follows the BTF Process. Items marked with an asterisk (*) above may not be required based on the scope and complexity of the project.

    Behind the Fence (BTF) Process