The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is responsible for the development of rules regarding the role of market participants involved in electric load settlement and the development of comprehensive standards for electronic business transactions. Electric Load Settlement Rules allow for the accurate, efficient and timely communication of load settlement information among market participants.
AUC Rule 021 System Settlement Code Rules has been adopted by the AUC to set the comprehensive standards for the market participants.
The provincial government introduced legislation that separated the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) into two separate regulatory bodies-a new Energy Resources Conservation Board and the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). One of the provisions of Bill 46, the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, moved the rule-making responsibility for the Settlement System Code from the AESO to the AUC effective January 1, 2008.
The AUC has been working closely with stakeholders in resolving outstanding Settlement Issues identified in the past and new issues that were recently raised by stakeholders. The results of resolving issues might lead to AUC Rule 021 changing. The AUC mapped out an annual "Rule 021 change cycle" as follows:
1. Jan 1 to June 30:
a. Form sub-working groups to deal with specific issues, if required.
b. Sub-working groups to provide recommendations/resolutions to those identified issues
c. Settlement Working Group to review recommendations
2. July 1 to September 30:
a. AUC to draft proposed changes based on recommendations
b. Circulate among Settlement Working Group members for review
3. October 1 - 15:
a. Posting proposed rule changes on AUC’s web for stakeholder comment
4. October 16 – 31:
a. AUC to respond stakeholders’ comments
b. Posting AUC responses
5. November 1 to 30: (AUC Internal)
a. Present proposed changes to AUC Commissioners
b. Respond to Commissioners’ questions
c. Seeking final approval from Commissioners
6. By December 15:
a. Posting complete AUC Rule 021, with proposed changes
b. Rule Effective January 01, 2010.
Currently, several sub-working groups are formed to deal with Settlement Issues. These sub-working groups are working on issues related to settlement timing, DropChute replacement, transactions review and streetlights grouping standards.
May 17, 2010 - Settlement System Code (Version 2.0) Implementation Testing:
The following test data are received from the testing participants. Retailer(s)/Billing Agent(s) and WSPs are welcome to download and use the test data for testing. Should issues occur during the testing, such as data format issue, please contact Raymond Lee by e-mail: raymond.lee@auc.ab.ca.
Test Data from WSPs:
AltaGas Utilities (posted June 1, 2010)
ATCO Electric & ATCO Gas (posted June 1, 2010)
Enmax Power (posted on May 17, 2010)
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (posted on May 17, 2010)
FortisAlberta Inc. (posted on May 27, 2010)
Central REA (Test Data forthcoming)
City of Lethbridge – Valeo Power (posted June 3, 2010)
Test Data from Retailers/Billing Agents:
EPCOR Energy (posted May 27, 2010)
Direct Energy (posted June 1, 2010)
Enmax Energy (posted June 1, 2010)
Cognera (posted June 16, 2010)
Just Energy (posted June 22, 2010)
Other Retailers/Billing Agents (Data forthcoming)
April 15, 2010:
Further to the conference call meeting on April 1, 2010, the following test scenarios are agreed by all test participants and will be used for testing those changes stated in AUC Rule 021 (Version 2.0)
For the test results reporting to the AUC, please use the Reporting template file and email the file to Raymond Lee after the testing is complete.
In addition, to align with the actual testing process, the Test Plan (Version 1.1) has been updated to reflect proper test process mechanics.
Should you have any questions on the testing, please contact Raymond Lee at 403-592-4442 or raymond.lee@auc.ab.ca.
Meeting Summary:
March 31, 2010 meeting summary
Load Settlement Activities and Related Documentation in 2009:
Sub-working groups formed in 2009 are described as follows:
1. Retailer De-Select Sub-working Group:
This sub-working group is formed to deal with retailer de-select process. Currently, there is no standard in the Rule 021 with respect to the retailer de-select process. The sub-group members meet on as required basis.
2. Supplementary Table Sub-working Group:
This sub-working group is formed to deal with supplementary table requirements. The working group is reviewing all tables within the Rule 021 and will recommend which tables should be placed in the supplementary table section. The sub-group members meet on as required basis.
3. Definition Sub-working Group:
This sub-working group is formed to deal with consistency of the definitions as stated in the AUC Rule 021. The sub-group members meet on as required basis.
4. Transaction Sub-working Group:
This sub-working group is formed to review transactions that require a cancellation status. The sub-group members meet on as required basis.
5. Un-Metered Sites Sub-working Group:
This sub-working group is formed to deal with un-metered sites issues, especially on the streetlights. The sub-group members meet on as required basis.
November 20, 2009:
The Commission approved Rule 021 (Version 2.0) - Settlement System Code Rules on November 17, 2009. The following documents are related to the release of Rule 021 (Version 2.0):
Bulletin 2009-29
Rule 021 (Version 2.0) - Settlement System Code Rules
AUC Response on Stakeholders' Comments
Should you have questions on the release of Rule 021 (Version 2.0), please contact Raymond Lee by email at raymond.lee@auc.ab.ca.
October 2, 2009:
The AUC has completed a Rule 021 (version 2.0) draft and is inviting written comments from interested parties. Participants who wish to provide written comments on the draft rule are encouraged to use the comment matrix table.Written comments must be addressed to either Rob Thomas (Robert.thomas@auc.ab.ca) or Raymond Lee (raymond.lee@auc.ab.ca) no later 5:00 pm on October 16, 2009.
Questions related to this consultation should be directed to Rob Thomas at 403-592-4435 or Raymond Lee at 403-592-4442.
Bulletin 2009-24 on Rule 021 (Version 2.0) consultation
Draft Rule 021 (Version 2.0)
Comment Matrix table
Summary of the SSC meetings:
January 2009 meeting
February 2009 meeting
April 2009 meeting
September 2009 meeting
Recommendations/Reports from Sub-working Groups:
Transaction sub-working group report
MDM presentation
Supplementary Table Working group report
Draft of proposed changes to Rule 021 as of July 31, 2009:
Rule 021 - Redline version in PDF format
Rule 021 - Redline version in Word format
Rule 021 - Summary of changes in Word format