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    Fast Frequency Response

    Fast Frequency Response (FFR) is a fast-acting transmission reliability service that will facilitate the arrest of, and recovery from, frequency decay caused by events such as the sudden loss of imports from the Alberta—B.C. Intertie and the Montana—Alberta Tie Line. While this service is currently provided by load through LSSi, the AESO has identified an opportunity to use new technology to provide response to facilitate system recovery when events occur. The AESO is launching a pilot project targeted at procuring services from any new technology capable of meeting FFR technical and eligibility requirements.

    Prescribed Forms

    New technologies present an opportunity to provide FFR service

    The AESO launched a Fast Frequency Response (FFR) from new technology pilot procurement competition (FFR Pilot Competition) targeted at procuring service from any new technology capable of meeting the FFR eligibility and technical requirements. The AESO announced the FFR Pilot through its Energy Storage Roadmap progress updates and the learnings from the FFR Pilot will support the long-term implementation of a FFR service.

    The FFR requirements for pilot participants are based on Load Shed Service for imports (LSSi) but have been adapted for new technology, such as energy storage. A fast increase in real power output is expected in response to an underfrequency event. Underfrequency detection and event recording is also required to provide the service, and a SCADA system will be used to participate in the service.

    The AESO has coordinated with the Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA) regarding enabling provision of the service from new technology (other than load) within the current ISO Rules for the duration of the pilot and has posted an initial letter dated March 23, 2021, and a subsequent updated letter dated February 2, 2022, that provides further detail.  Upon the conclusion of the FFR Pilot, the AESO will provide an update to the Alberta electric industry and the public on the outcome of the FFR Pilot.

    • FFR Pilot Competition

      The FFR Pilot Competition launched on March 24, 2021 with the Request for Proposals stage, and the proposal submission deadline was May 3, 2021. The AESO successfully completed the competitive procurement and contracts were awarded to two (2) successful bidders who submitted qualified proposals. The two successful proponents, their respective facilities and contract volumes are listed below.

      Successful Proponents

      Proponent Name, FFR Facility Name

      Contract Volume (MW)

      Canadian Hydro Developers Inc.

      Summerview WindCharger (SUM1)

      10

      WCSB Power Holdings LP

      eReserve1 (ERV1) Rycroft

      20

      The service term with each successful bidder is one year, which is targeted to commence no later than March 15, 2022. 

      The FFR Pilot Competition was overseen by a Fairness Advisor at every stage to ensure the competition, including the evaluation process, was administered in a fair and open manner and adhered to good industry procurement practices, strict confidentiality requirements and applicable policies and guidelines. To read the Fast Frequency Response Pilot Procurement Competition Fairness Advisor Summary Report, please click here.

      Materials and resources

      *The AESO has since updated the proforma agreement to adjust the maximum response time to 18 cycles (or 0.3 seconds) and to adjust the frequency setpoint to 59.6 Hz, based on feedback provided during the FFR Pilot and to further explore the abilities of new technology to provide this service. 

      Please direct any general comments or questions about the FFR Pilot Competition to FFRPilot@aeso.ca.

    Fast Frequency Response