IPPSA Intelligence

Alberta Electric System Operator

Enerfin Energy’s Big Rock Solar Battery Project will add a new 138-kilovolt transmission line and T-tap connection to an existing corridor, alongside substation enhancements at High River. This battery storage solution promises to bolster grid reliability, smooth renewable variability and support demand. Concurrently, the Eastervale Solar facility in Amisk advances under revised connection requirements, reflecting schedule and design updates since 2024.

Market participants must anticipate a 3.03 percent Rider E adjustment affecting loss factors and service tariffs in Q3 2025, while an online SASR process rollout streamlines system access applications.

Stakeholders are invited to shape locational marginal price modeling during a July session, reinforcing AESO’s collaborative approach. Proposed reliability standards, including FAC-003-AB-5 and TPL-001-AB-5.1, will replace outdated requirements to strengthen operational resilience. Outage reporting clarifications further enhance transparency and planning.

References:

1. Transforming Alberta's Energy Landscape: The Big Rock Solar Battery Project and Infrastructure Upgrades
2. Critical Updates on the Eastervale Solar Project and Alberta's Electricity Market Regulations

Engaging on the Proposed Nuclear Project in Peace River

Local communities in northwest Alberta’s Peace River region have initiated a robust series of public input sessions to gather feedback on a proposed large-scale nuclear power plant. Town halls and workshops aim to inform residents about projected economic benefits, job creation prospects, and a transition toward low-carbon energy. Proponents emphasize the plant’s role in addressing climate change and boosting regional growth, while residents voice concerns over safety protocols, environmental impacts, and potential disruptions to local ecosystems and livelihoods.

References:

1. Empowering Communities: Engaging Public Dialogue on the Proposed Nuclear Power Plant in Peace River, Alberta

Fermi America's Hypergrid

Fermi America, co-founded by Rick Perry, aims to build the Hypergrid energy and data complex in Texas, integrating advanced nuclear reactors, natural gas turbines, and solar arrays to generate up to 11 GW. The initial phase targets 1 GW of nuclear output by late 2026, with four 1 GW reactors under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. By leveraging existing gas pipeline networks and proximity to a Department of Energy site in Amarillo, the project seeks to optimize infrastructure synergies and future scalability.

Nuclear ambitions face challenges, however: cost overruns, delays, and safety concerns that have dogged recent projects in Georgia. Fermi America has withheld financing details, prompting questions over economic viability and regulatory approval timelines. Its hybrid model of baseload nuclear complemented by flexible gas and solar power could offer a blueprint for resilient, decarbonized grids, but hinges on resolving public trust and technical hurdles.

References:

1. Fermi America's Hypergrid: Pioneering the World's Largest Energy Complex with Nuclear, Gas, and Solar Power

Heathrow Airport Power Outage

Severe equipment failures at the North Hyde Substation triggered a fire and left Heathrow Airport without power for 16 hours, stranding more than 270,000 passengers and forcing cancellation of 1,300 flights. Investigators identified a failed high-voltage bushing compromised by moisture as the initial cause, noting that oil sample analysis in 2018 and 2022 revealed elevated moisture levels that should have prompted replacement.

National Grid’s inadequate response to these warnings and a lack of communication with critical infrastructure operators exposed systemic maintenance shortcomings. Heathrow’s power network design, relying on only three supply points, further heightened vulnerability by offering limited redundancy.

References:

1. Heathrow Airport Power Outage: A Catastrophic Failure and Its Implications for Infrastructure Reliability

How Data Centres are Revolutionizing Efficiency and Sustainability

Data centers are increasingly tapping into surplus renewable energy that would otherwise be curtailed, turning wasted wind and solar power into an asset. Rapid growth in renewable generation has led to frequent grid limitations in the U.S., with 30–40% of clean energy often unused. By co-locating facilities near wind and solar farms, operators bypass transmission bottlenecks and regulatory hurdles, reducing costs and reliance on fossil-fueled backup.

Implementing this model requires rigorous curtailment assessments to ensure power quality and consistency, leveraging historical grid data to predict and adapt to renewable fluctuations. The approach enhances financial performance by slashing electricity expenditures while mitigating curtailment losses and carbon emissions. It also underscores a broader trend toward decentralized, resilient energy architectures that align economic and environmental goals.

References:

1. Harnessing Wasted Renewable Energy: How Data Centres are Revolutionizing Efficiency and Sustainability

Cameco's Strategic Positioning in the Resurgent Nuclear Energy Market

Nuclear power is experiencing a resurgence as zero-carbon baseload energy that complements intermittent solar and wind, repositioning uranium miners like Cameco at the forefront of the clean-energy transition. With global electricity demand projected to climb 55% by 2040—driven by AI deployment, electric transportation and the broader electrification of industry—nuclear capacity is viewed as essential to satisfy this surge while maintaining grid stability.

However, the uranium sector faces tightening supply; mine development has lagged since the Fukushima fallout, and production constraints risk supply deficits by 2030. This imbalance could trigger significant price increases, enhancing the financial appeal of established producers. Policy shifts favoring low-carbon energy and sustained government backing for advanced reactor designs may further underpin nuclear’s role.

References:

1. Cameco's Strategic Positioning in the Resurgent Nuclear Energy Market: Navigating Growth, Demand, and Supply Challenges

U.S. Offshore Wind Developers Pivot to Canada

Regulatory shifts in the United States have prompted offshore wind developers to explore opportunities in Canadian waters. Under recent American policy changes, project approvals have slowed, driving companies to seek jurisdictions with clearer pathways. Canada’s regulatory framework, marked by streamlined permitting and incentives, now attracts a surge of interest from U.S. firms aiming to maintain momentum in clean energy investments.

This cross-border pivot reflects broader industry trends toward flexible policy environments and collaborative regional development. Beyond policy, expanding offshore wind capacity promises substantial socio-economic gains: construction and maintenance jobs, supply chain growth, and increased capital inflow support local economies while advancing national climate objectives.

References:

1. U.S. Offshore Wind Developers Pivot to Canada: Navigating Regulatory Challenges for Clean Energy Growth

Controversial Compensation Package and Dismissal from Manitoba Hydro

Jay Grewal’s severance of $881,000 for six weeks of service at Manitoba Hydro triggered intense debate over executive compensation in publicly owned utilities. Hired under the previous Progressive Conservative administration, Grewal earned between $500,000 and $546,000 annually in full years and championed partnerships with independent producers to diversify Manitoba’s energy portfolio.

Her vision collided with the new NDP government’s commitment to maintain public ownership of emerging power resources. The utility declined to disclose how much of her pay stemmed from termination clauses versus standard salary, citing contractual confidentiality. Public scrutiny intensified given Manitoba Hydro’s reliance on taxpayer support and the political sensitivity surrounding high-level remunerations.

References:

1. Examining Jay Grewal's Controversial Compensation Package and Dismissal from Manitoba Hydro

MSA Fine

Last month, the Alberta Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA) issued a $10,000 penalty to the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) for breaching reliability standard BAL‑005‑AB‑1, Requirement R4. The violation occurred between June 29 and July 5, 2023, when AESO failed to alert its operating personnel to missing or invalid frequency data—a critical input for calculating Area Control Error (ACE), which ensures system balance and grid stability. The infraction was not self-reported, and no mitigation plan was submitted.

References:

1. MSA Specified Fine

IPPSA's Mandate

IPPSA's mission is to convene industry, providing information, resources, and a forum for knowledge sharing, and to create opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and education. This newsletter is meant to inform members but not advocate for specific outcomes. We always appreciate your feedback at info@ippsa.com.