Glossary of Terms
A current that flows alternately in one direction and then in the reverse direction. In North America, the standard for alternating current is 60 complete cycles each second. Such electricity is said to have a frequency of 60 hertz. Alternating current is used in power systems because it can be transmitted and distributed more economically that direct current.
A monthly charge levied to recover a Wire Service Provider's and/or Retailer's costs for customer service, billing, communication and in some cases, other charges related to management of the energy supply portfolio such as risk, pool trading charges, etc.
Independent system operator in Alberta, assuming responsibility for market operations including the Power Pool, system control, long-term transmission system planning and management, and load settlement.
Affiliated corporate body to provide the supply of energy.
The AFREA provides a strong voice for rural Albertans, serving all rural electrification association (REA) members. The AFREA ofers indispensible services that reflect the diversity and growth of REAs; provides key leadership and representation on their behalf; creates strategic alliances to attain goals; communicates effectively and efficiently with member REAs and the wider electricity industry in exchange for an annual membership fee on a per consumer-service basis in Alberta.
All electric energy transmission facilities and all distribution systems in Alberta that are interconnected. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) provides fair and open access to the AIES for generation and distribution companies and large industrial consumers of electricity, and contracts with transmission facility owners to acquire transmission services and provide customer access.
Participates in research and provides up-to-date information about the status and benefits of irrigation and its associated water management infrastructure to its members, the Government of Alberta, provincial and federal government departments and agencies, local governments, water management stakeholders and the public.
Energy losses are usually allocated to customer groups based on allocators determined from distribution loss studies.
Communication solution that creates a network between remote meters and a utility operation center allowing for real-time collection of data and information.
Unit of electric current that is equivalent to the steady current produced by one Volt applied across a resistance of one Ohm.
State-of-the-art technology that enables a utility company to read electric meters remotely.
Instantaneous difference between actual and scheduling interchange, taking into account the effects of frequency bias.
A Committee of the AAMDC. The goal of the ARUA is to work together with combined efforts to ensure the government receives a clear message from rural Alberta regarding common issues that affect our utilities and other matters affecting rural utility systems and their consumers. ARUA is an alliance of the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops Ltd., the Alberta Federation of Rural Electrification Associations Ltd., Alberta Federation of Rural Water Co-operatives Ltd., Gas Alberta Inc., and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Collectively, these organizations represent approximately 500,000 rural Albertans.
A regulatory agency responsible for overseeing capital markets in Alberta and administering securities legislation. The Commission oversees the operations of a number of electronic trading systems, including the trading and clearing operations of the Alberta Watt Exchange.
Effective January 1, 2008. Separated from AEUB to regulate the utility industry.
Equipment that automatically adjusts a control area's generation, from a central location, to maintain frequency or interchange schedule plus or minus frequency bias.
