Topic:"2023-2026 DSM Plan" in M12249

TO: The Nova Scotia Energy Board ("Energy Board") - 1. EfficiencyOne is the holder of the Franchise issued by the Minister of the Department of Energy with an effective date of January 01, 2025, to provide demand-side management activities...

AI summary EfficiencyOne is applying to the Nova Scotia Energy Board for approval of its 2026 DSM Extension Application, which includes updated targets, a rate and bill impact analysis, and amendments to the existing DSM Agreement. The application is supported by legislative changes to the Public Utilities Act, which extend the DSM Plan and Agreement to 2026 and set a prescribed investment amount.

- 3 In the demand-side management sector, it is typical for the simpler and lower cost energy efficiency - 4 opportunities to be undertaken first. These opportunities often require less investment, and are easier to - 5 implement, which ma...

AI summary The text discusses the progression of demand-side management (DSM) programs, emphasizing that simpler, lower-cost energy efficiency measures are typically implemented first. As these measures are exhausted, more complex and expensive projects become a larger part of the DSM portfolio, leading to higher unit costs. This progression explains the multi-year planning approach and cumulative performance targets in DSM plans, such as the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, which showed overachievement in certain components.

6. EVALUATION AND REPORTING E1 intends to follow the current Board approved measurement and evaluation activities as established in the 2023-2025 Plan. This includes an annual impact evaluation for each program. - Similarly, throughout the...

AI summary E1 will follow the Board-approved measurement and evaluation activities from the 2023-2025 Plan, including annual impact evaluations and specific reporting for the 2026 DSM Extension. References to M10473 and compliance filings are cited.

le capacity results from the 2024/25 peak period season will not be available until mid-2025, therefore the 2025 forecast reflects E1's projected 2024/25 peak period season available capacity results. In 2025, the total DSM investment is f...

AI summary The 2025 forecast for DSM investment is slightly lower than in 2024 due to market maturity and shifting opportunities. Economic and geopolitical factors, including U.S. tariffs, may impact program delivery and participation. E1 plans to adjust its DSM portfolio to focus on more complex markets and projects in 2026.

6 8.1 PERFORMANCE TARGETS - 7 The currently approved 2023-2025 Plan has been extended to include 2026 as a fourth year as outlined in - 8 the recently amended PUA . Consequently, E1's Performance Targets for the 2023-2025 period would be -...

AI summary The 2023-2025 Demand-Side Management (DSM) Resource Plan has been extended to include 2026, as outlined in the amended Public Utilities Act (PUA). E1's Performance Targets for the 2023-2026 period include cumulative energy and peak demand savings, demand response capacity, and energy savings in low-income and equity programs. E1 is considered in compliance if it achieves 90% or more of each target.

161718 Table 23: 2023-2026 Performance Targets 2023-2026 Performance Targets Year Energy Savings (GWh) Demand Savings (MW) Available Capacity (MW) Low-Income & Equity a (GWh) Investment ($ million) 2023 120.7 26.9 3.0 5.3 53.1 2024 142.6 2...

AI summary Table 23 outlines the 2023-2026 performance targets for energy savings, demand savings, available capacity, low-income and equity goals, and investment amounts. The data includes annual and cumulative figures for the period, highlighting energy efficiency and demand-side management goals.

4 9. EVALUATION - 5 In the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 proposes to follow the same measurement and evaluation activities as - 6 approved in the 2023-2025 Plan. This includes an annual impact evaluation for each program. - 7 As in the approved 2...

AI summary E1 proposes to follow the same measurement and evaluation activities as the 2023-2025 Plan for the 2026 DSM Extension, including annual impact evaluations and condensing activities for mature programs. Collaboration with the Evaluator will determine components for process and market evaluations.

- For semi-prescriptive measures where in practice, savings are calculated on a project-by-project basis using unit specifications, representative variables are selected to 1 reflect the typical installation characteristics that E1 sees in...

AI summary The text discusses the methodology used to calculate energy savings for semi-prescriptive measures, emphasizing the use of representative variables and the development of input data for the 2026 DSM Extension. It highlights the bottom-up approach and the use of updated information, noting that input data differs from previous models.

Date Filed: June 25, 2025 IG IR-04, Attachment 1, Page 1 of 1 Plan As Approved Expenditures ($ million) Actual Expenditures ($ million) Variances (Actual Expenditures to Plan as Approved) ($million) 3 Reference: Page 4. 4 5 This process is...

AI summary The text discusses the 2026-2030 DSM Plan and the budget for the 2027-2031 DSM Resource Plan, including increased funding for regulatory initiatives and the development of the new Independent Energy System Operator's first IRP. Questions are raised about the original budget, spending to date, and consideration of underspend from 2025.

Date Filed: June 25, 2025 E1 (IG) IR-23 Page 3 of 3 1 Request IR-24: 2026 $83 2027 $85 2028 $76 2029 $76 2030 $89 2031 $85 2032 $85 2033 $85 2034 $84 2035 $85 2036 $91 2037 $94 2038 $91 2039 $88 2040 $87 2041 $96 2042 $98 2043 $101 2044 $1...

AI summary The document outlines the avoided costs associated with the No DSM, No Energy Efficiency scenario, highlighting factors such as increased thermal generation, the economic addition of the Reliability Intertie, and the need for more wind and solar generation to meet renewable energy standards prior to 2030.

E1 Responses to Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Response IR-07: 2 3 (a) The one-year extension in 2026 is not a standalone one-year DSM plan. Rather, the 4 legislation extends the existing 2023-2025...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) explains that the 2026 extension of the DSM Plan is not standalone but an extension of the existing 2023-2025 plan. The legislation extends the agreement to include 2026, and performance targets have been revised to reflect the extended term. Multi-year DSM Plans provide ratepayer benefits through predictability, stability, and enhanced program impact.

16 (a) Insights 2023-2025 2026 DSM Plan as Approved Extension 2023-2026 Energy & Demand Savings % of Non-Lighting Energy Savings 69% 73% 70% DR as a % of NS Power Peak Load 1% 1% 1% Demand Response (DR) Investment 10 Year Levelized Cost ($...

AI summary The table compares energy and demand savings targets under the 2023-2025 and 2026 DSM Plan extensions. It highlights the percentage of non-lighting energy savings and demand response (DR) investment, noting that the 2026 plan provides an updated 10-year levelized cost analysis.

1 Request IR-12: 2 3 Please provide a version of Table 2 on page 6 of 25 of E1's Evidence to show 4 5 (a) expected 2025 DSM rate class expenditures from the 2023-2025 DSM plan, 6 7 (b) expected 2024 DSM rate class expenditures from the 202...

AI summary The request asks for a version of Table 2 from page 6 of E1's Evidence, specifically showing expected 2025 and 2024 DSM rate class expenditures from the 2023-2025 DSM plan, and final 2024 expenditures. The response provides Table 1 with the requested data and notes that 2023 Plan and Actuals are included for comparison.

1 Request IR-03: 2 3 (a) Is the Benefit Cost Ratio for the Application evaluated at the total DSM Plan level only? 4 5 (b) How many of the constituent programs, within the DSM Plan, have a Benefit Cost Ratio 6 of 1.0 or lower? 7 8 (c) What...

AI summary The response to Request IR-03 discusses the evaluation of the Benefit Cost Ratio for the DSM Plan, noting that two DSM programs have a TRC lower than 1.0. It also identifies specific programs with TRC below 1.0, their customer focus, and their percentage of the total DSM Plan investment.

Context - The provincial government introduced legislation in mid-February 2025. The legislation: - extends the 2023-2025 DSM plan to include the 2026 calendar year; - prescribes an investment amount of $63.75 million for 2026; and - requi...

AI summary The provincial government introduced legislation in mid-February 2025, extending the 2023-2025 DSM plan to include 2026, prescribing a $63.75 million investment, and requiring E1 to submit 2026 targets for Energy Board approval. The extension benefits stakeholders as it aligns with the new Energy Board's establishment and allows time for a new BCA decision before the 2027-2031 DSM Plan Application.

Residential Behaviour • For the 2026 DSM Extension, Residential Behaviour will follow the same approach as outlined in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. In 2026, a program investment of $2.1 million will support 205,000 homeowners.

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension will use the same approach as the approved 2023-2025 Plan, with a $2.1 million investment supporting 205,000 homeowners.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 (c) The avoided costs used to calculate the Lifetime Benefits (TRC and PAC), TRC ratios and PAC 2 ratios for 2026 in the 2026 DSM Extension were dev...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) outlines that Nova Scotia Power (NSP) provided avoided cost data for TRC and PAC calculations to the DSMAG in 2024 and 2021, using the 2022 and 2020 IRP updates respectively. Updated transmission/distribution avoided costs were shared in 2024, developed outside the 2022 IRP modelling. References to matter numbers M12249 and M10473 are included.

Table 1: Summary of enrolled devices in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, 2026 Extension, and 2023–2026 Actuals 2023-2025 DSM Plan & 2026 Extension 2023-2026 Actuals a DR devices 2023 2024 2025 2026 2023 2024 2025 2026 2025 2024 2023 YTD Thermostats...

AI summary The table summarizes the enrolled devices under the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, 2026 Extension, and 2023–2026 Actuals, showing significant growth in thermostat enrollments and variations in other device categories across years.

- 1 The percentages detailed on pages 4-5 of Appendix A represent E1's progress towards 2023-2025 - 2 Performance Targets, outlined in the current 2023-2025 DSM Plan. The Performance Targets on - 3 page 47 of Appendix A are for 2023-2026 a...

AI summary The text discusses E1's progress towards performance targets outlined in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and its extension to 2026, as detailed in Appendix A.

- Unit Costs from E1 response to Synapse IR-12 - Participants from E1 response to Synapse IR-13 in Table 1: Summary of enrolled devices in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, 2026 Extension, and 2023–2026 Actuals. 2025 represents YTD participants rath...

AI summary The text discusses unit costs from E1's response to Synapse's IR-12, and participant data from the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and its 2026 extension. Synapse calculated cost per participant and Program Administrator Cost (PAC) using investment and benefit figures. Other data comes from E1's response to Synapse IR-8.

2.0 BACKGROUND [5] On November 8, 2022, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board issued an Order in M10473 approving the 2023-2025 DSM Plan. It also approved the corresponding 2023-2025 DSM Agreement between E1 and NS Power, the terms of w...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and Agreement in 2022. Amendments to the Public Utilities Act in March 2025 extended the plan and agreement to 2026, with a prescribed demand-side management investment of $63,750,000 for 2026.

lt;sup>1 Reflects planned participation by low-income & equity customers. Numbers are a subset of Existing Residential, BNI Efficient Product Rebates, Custom Incentives, and Direct Installation. [13] E1 states that marketing for the 2026 D...

AI summary The text discusses the 2026 DSM Plan, highlighting alignment with the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and data-driven marketing strategies. It also outlines modifications, retirements, and the structure of residential and BNI energy efficiency programs. The focus is on low-income and equity customers and the continuation of existing initiatives.

[23] E1 said it remains steadfast in its commitment, established in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, to ensure that programs are both designed and delivered on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis. Specifically, the 2026 DSM Extension will con...

AI summary E1 reaffirms its commitment to equitable energy efficiency programs, as outlined in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, and adjusts the low-income investment range based on updated census data. It also notes an increase in the portfolio unit cost for energy efficiency in 2026 due to changes in program mix and participation.

5.9 Performance Requirements [81] For the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 proposes to use the same definitions of performance metrics, targets, performance indicators, and thresholds as in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. E1 proposes that its performan...

AI summary E1 proposes to extend the 2023-2025 DSM Plan to include 2026, maintaining the same performance metrics and targets. The proposal includes specific energy and demand savings targets, as well as a total investment of $236.8 million over the four-year period. The targets include energy savings for low-income and equity programs.

Request IR-7: - The Board's Decision in Matter M10473 approved the 2023-2025 DSM Plan with specific annual expenditures and performance targets. Amended legislation extended that DSM Plan to include the 2026 calendar year with an expenditu...

AI summary The Board's Decision in Matter M10473 approved the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, which was extended to 2026 with a specific expenditure level of $63,750,000. E1 argues that performance targets must be revised for the extended term. The request seeks clarification on whether 2026 targets should be treated separately, the benefits of combining targets, and whether the Board can establish new standards for 2026.

21 (a) Please confirm this understanding or explain otherwise. 1 2 3 (b) Where E1 is relying on the increased prescribed investment amount of $63.75 million for 2026, on what basis does E1 justify a lower performance target with a higher i...

AI summary The text presents a series of questions directed at E1 regarding budget approvals, spending, and planning for the development of the 2026-2030 and 2027-2031 DSM Plans, including queries about the justification for budget changes and the use of funds from previous years.

26 consideration and how it has been accounted for. If not, why not. 1 (e) Please provide a list of measures in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan which failed 2 cost-effectiveness testing (provide the TRC for each) and indicate whether 3 each of thes...

AI summary The text requests information on the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, including failed measures, cost-effectiveness testing, and proposed changes for the 2026 DSM Plan. It also asks for details on measures with a payback period of three years or less and their incentive levels in the 2026 Plan. Additionally, it requests population of a table with 2025 Q1 and Q2 results and forecasts.

- 4 Reference: Appendix B, Attachment 1 –2026 Summary Results. - 5 Please provide an updated excel file that layers in the total rate impacts from the 2023 2025 - 6 DSM Plan with the rate impacts from the 2026 DSM Plan for each rate class...

AI summary The request is for an updated Excel file that combines the total rate impacts from the 2023-2025 DSM Plan with the rate impacts from the 2026 DSM Plan, categorized by rate class and year.

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AI summary The text discusses the extension of a demand-side management (DSM) plan from 2023 to 2025, including details about customer participation in demand response (DR) events, battery enrollment, thermostat programs, and electric vehicle (EV) incentives. It outlines various programs and payment structures offered by E1.