The Ancillary Services Cost Allocation System (ASCAS) is the System Operator’s new purpose-built system for calculating ancillary service payments. ASCAS replaces a number of legacy tools and manual processes previously used to support ancillary service cost allocation.
ASCAS and POCP (Planned Outage Co-ordination Process)
ASCAS incorporates POCP data alongside contract and metering information as part of its monthly processing activities. Where ancillary service assets are unavailable due to outages, POCP information may be used by ASCAS when assessing availability and calculating payments or deductions in accordance with applicable ancillary service contracts and settlement processes.
As part of the implementation of the Ancillary Services Cost Allocation System (ASCAS), the System Operator will be making greater use of outage information submitted through the POCP.
What is changing?
In addition to the standing Code obligations around outage notification in POCP, there are some new requirements for providers to enter and update outage information in POCP in a timely and accurate way. This will allow ASCAS to automatically identify outages and apply the relevant settlement and payment calculations.
Over-frequency reserve providers will need to ensure that outages relevant to contracted ancillary service assets are submitted and maintained in POCP accurately. You will see a different format for the deduction information, but we will still confirm payments with you if there is a deduction from the monthly availability fee.
There are also new outage block codes for black start auxiliary equipment and back-up single frequency keeping units to use when equipment that provides these services is on outage.
- To capture outages of black start auxiliary equipment, ancillary service agents are being asked to use a new outage block code format for all outages of the auxiliary equipment.
The outage block code will have the following format: XXX_BS_AUX where XXX is the three-letter station code.
- To capture outages of back-up single frequency keeping units, ancillary service agents are being asked to use a new outage block code format for all outages of the frequency keeping equipment.
The outage block code will have the following format: XXX_BSFK where XXX is the three-letter unit, station or block code where back-up frequency keeping is contracted.
We will confirm payments with you via email if there is a deduction from the monthly availability fee.
There are no changes to any current POCP codes in use or any standing Code obligations.
For unplanned outages, there are no changes to the current process which is outlined in your individual ancillary services procurement contracts.
What providers need to do:
- Ensure all planned outages affecting contracted ancillary service assets are entered into POCP.
- Maintain outage information throughout the outage lifecycle, including updates to outage timing, duration and scope where circumstances change.
- Review existing internal processes to ensure POCP submissions remain accurate and up to date.
- Ensure nominated contacts responsible for outage coordination and ancillary service obligations are aware of these requirements.
- Use new outage block codes for auxiliary diesel generators and/or auxiliary hydro plant that is contracted to provide black start service.
- Use the new outage block codes for back-up single frequency keeping.
Data provision for the Authority
As part of the transition, data provided to the Electricity Authority will be generated directly from the new ancillary services cost allocation system.
This change introduces a more structured and granular reporting dataset, allowing costs that were previously aggregated within broader categories to be reported separately where appropriate. Previously, these costs were not separately visible within the reporting provided to the Authority.
The change is a reporting enhancement only and does not alter the underlying cost allocation methodology or billing arrangements. The updated reporting format will give the Authority improved visibility of costs and supports more detailed analysis of ancillary services expenditure.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements or the ASCAS implementation, please contact the System Operator at [email protected].