The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is the independent organization responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic operation of Alberta's electricity grid. Unlike most provinces where Crown corporations (like BC Hydro or Hydro-Québec) dominate, Alberta has a deregulated electricity market where private companies compete to generate and sell power. AESO's role is to manage this market fairly, plan for future electricity needs, and ensure the grid can handle demand—especially during extreme cold or heat when usage spikes. AESO doesn't own power plants or sell electricity; instead, it acts as a neutral operator managing the system that connects generators to consumers. Understanding AESO helps explain why Alberta's electricity system works differently from other provinces.