Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator has revamped aspects of its stakeholder engagement program and is planning a major “Summit” meeting with electricity sector stakeholders in March to kick off a round of discussions on emerging issues. The area seems to be sparking interest amongst a range of interested parties as registration is brisk and the IESO reports that it is nearing capacity.
In November 2012 the IESO Board approved a set of modifications to the structure and operations of a key body in this area, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, or SAC. Although the SAC will continue to have 13 members, the members will now be appointed to represent just four broad categories: generators, consumers, conveyors and electricity service providers. Previously there were several other categories. The changes were implemented through revised terms of reference that were developed with SAC members last fall.
“The changes we are making to our stakeholder engagement process will allow the IESO to reach a broader audience, engage new players in the sector, and begin to discuss upcoming issues and opportunities earlier. Overall, these changes should enable more consultation with stakeholders,” said Terry Young, Vice President of Corporate Relations at the IESO.
The Summit planned for March 4 will be a first of its kind. The IESO plans to use the meeting to present expert opinion on best practices in stakeholder consultation, follow up on the work of the Electricity Market Forum, and facilitate wide-ranging discussion to help develop future focal points for consultation by the IESO and its Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
Experts from various constituencies within the power sector are scheduled to speak at the summit, which will prompt further discussion of the issues. One of the key sessions is designed to explore the question of “How can Ontario’s electricity market best integrate new technologies and alternative service providers?” The following experts will lead discussion on “how to realize the opportunities” identified during the Summit:
• Jack Burkom, Member, IESO Stakeholder Advisory Committee; Senior Vice President – Commercial Development, Brookfield Energy Marketing Inc. (as moderator)
• Ron Dizy, Chief Executive Officer, ENBALA Power Networks; Chair, Smart Grid Forum Corporate Partners Committee
• Robert Cary, Robert Cary & Associates Inc. and
• Benjamin Grunfeld, Associate Director, Navigant.
In the opening panel, moderated by APPrO’s President and CEO Dave Butters, senior executives from various independent system operators, including the IESO, will discuss the implications of a changing supply mix on power system operations, and some of the work required to ensure reliability now and in the future.
Another session of interest at the summit will be led by Brian Rivard, the IESO's Manager of Regulatory Affairs & Sector Policy Analysis. Titled "Facts, Figures and Trends from Ontario’s Electricity Market," the IESO’s description notes that, "More electricity system data than ever is available in Ontario and from our neighbors," and asks "But what are the numbers telling us?" Other topics at the summit will deal with "New Tools for Efficiency and Reliability" and "Optimizing Stakeholder Engagement in the Electricity Sector".
On a related note, the IESO is in the process of making appointments for remaining unfilled positions on the SAC. The current list of members is shown in the sidebar. The total number of positions, 13, hasn’t changed, just the allocation amongst categories of representatives. The SAC was established by the IESO Board, and provides advice to it, and to the executive of the IESO.
The IESO’s stakeholder processes have always been integral to its work, the IESO says, but with these changes it is hoped that their effectiveness will be enhanced and renewed.
For more information on the Stakeholder Summit, readers may contact the IESO or use the link below:
http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/siteshared/stakeholder_summit.asp?sid=bi.
For information on the changes to the IESO SAC terms of reference, please see this location:
http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/consult/stakeholder_ac_tor.asp.