Topic:"Demand Side Management Resource Plan" in M12249

22 Table 3: Program Modifications and Retirements in the 2026 DSM Extension Program Program Component Changes and Enhancements in the 2026 DSM Extension as compared to the 2023-2025 Plan Continued/Modified/ Retired Direct Installation Smal...

AI summary Table 3 outlines modifications and retirements in the 2026 DSM Extension, including expanded commercial direct installation measures, continued support for residential demand response via Eco Shift, and the addition of commercial batteries during the 2025/26 demand response season.

l results from years 2023 and 2024 demonstrate overachievement. Of particular note were the overachievement levels under E1's residential Home Energy Assessment and Instant Savings program components. E1 has closely reviewed the actual res...

AI summary E1's 2023 and 2024 results show overachievement in residential programs like Home Energy Assessment and Instant Savings. However, 2025 and 2026 are expected to see lower energy savings due to factors such as the exhaustion of the Canada Greener Homes grant and reduced demand response adoption.

1 Table 5: 2026 Program Savings and Investment First Voor Lifetime Dool: FF Total Program a Lifetime First Year Energy Energy Peak EE Demand Available Resource Administrator 2026 Investment a ($ million) Benefits b Savings Savings Savings...

AI summary Table 5 provides a detailed breakdown of 2026 program savings and investment for residential and business energy efficiency programs, demand response initiatives, and enabling strategies in Nova Scotia. It outlines investments, benefits, and cost tests for various energy efficiency and demand response programs.

2.3 2025 PLAN FORECAST - In the final year of the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, E1's 2025 forecast projects an achievement of 128.7 GWh of - energy savings, 17.2 MW of peak demand savings, 10.0 MW of available capacity, within an investment - level...

AI summary E1's 2025 forecast for the 2023-2025 DSM Plan projects achieving 128.7 GWh of energy savings, 17.2 MW of peak demand savings, and 10.0 MW of available capacity with an investment of $62.0 million. The focus remains on delivering DSM programs and activities aligned with the approved 2023-2025 DSM Resource Plan.

5 Table 6: Program Changes and Enhancements in the 2026 DSM Extension Program Program Component Changes and Enhancements in the 2026 DSM Extension as compared to the 2023-2025 Plan Custom Incentives Strategic Energy Management • Continued...

AI summary Table 6 outlines changes and enhancements to demand-side management programs in the 2026 DSM Extension, including program name changes, expanded measures, and new components such as the addition of commercial batteries during the 2025/26 demand response season.

Table 8: 2026 DSM Extension Rate Class Expenditures Rate Class 2026 ($ million) Residential/Charitable (2,3,4) 33.9 Small General (10) 3.1 General Demand (11) 17.0 Large General (12) 1.6 Small Industrial (21) 1.4 Medium Industrial (22) 2.4...

AI summary Table 8 outlines the 2026 DSM Extension Rate Class Expenditures, showing the distribution of costs across various rate classes, including investments in Energy Efficiency (EE) and Demand Response (DR) programs, as well as Enabling Strategies.

6.1.1 RESID EN TIAL D EM AN D RESPON SE - The Residential DR program component aims to help residential customers reduce their electric load - during peak events called by NS Power by providing financial incentives for the DR capacity made...

AI summary The Residential Demand Response program aims to help residential customers reduce their electric load during peak events called by NS Power by offering financial incentives for the DR capacity made available. Table 20 summarizes the program component for the 2026 DSM Extension.

Program Component Changes • • o enrolled devices. o o o • Extension as outlined in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. participate in DR events. incentive payment for participating. to participate in DR events. Residential Demand Response will fo...

AI summary The 2026 Residential Demand Response Program Component outlines changes and extensions based on the approved 2023-2025 Plan. It includes DR pathways such as Direct Load Control (DLC) smart thermostats, DLC water heaters, and DLC Electric Vehicle Managed Charging. Customers receive annual payments for participation, and direct installation options are available with upfront incentives.

1 6.1.2 BN I D EM AND RESPON SE - 2 The BNI DR program component offers financial incentives to BNI customers for the DR capacity made - 3 available during peak events called by NS Power, aiming to reduce their electric load during these p...

AI summary The BNI Demand Response program provides financial incentives to customers for reducing electric load during peak events called by NS Power. Table 21 summarizes the program component for the 2026 DSM Extension.

7 Table 21: 2026 Summary of the BNI Demand Response Program Component Extension Investment ($M) New Capacity (MW)a Available Capacity (MW) Participation (participants) 2026 Total 2.6 2.6 11.6 439

AI summary Table 21 summarizes the 2026 BNI Demand Response Program Component, showing a total investment of $2.6 million, 2.6 MW of new capacity, 11.6 MW of available capacity, and 439 participants.

21 Table 22: 2026 DSM Extension Enabling Strategies Enabling Strategy Category 2026 Investment ($ million) 2026 Areas of Focus Other Enabling Strategies $3.0 • Areas of focus for 2026 for Other Enabling Strategies align with the approved 2...

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension Enabling Strategies include a $3.0 million investment aimed at supporting the development of the 2027-2031 DSM Resource Plan, engaging with the DSMAG, and participating in the integrated resource planning process under the new Independent Energy System Operator as outlined in Bill 404.

8 15 Although Efficiency Nova Scotia does work to support Codes and Standards, direction in this area is seen as coming primarily from the federal or provincial levels, so energy savings from Codes and Standards are treated as outside coun...

AI summary The text discusses how demand reductions from physical measures in Efficiency Nova Scotia programs, such as Home Energy Assessment and Business Energy Rebates, produce long-term reductions in peak demand, unlike temporary behavioral changes. It also highlights the contribution of separate DR programs, such as Residential Demand Response and BNI Demand Response, to overall demand reduction.

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.

1 2) Increased Demand for Support from E1 2 E1 identified that after the lingering effects of the pandemic, there was an increased 3 uptake in the Custom program to support large industrial projects. Customers initiated 4 projects that had...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) reports an increased demand for support from large industrial projects post-pandemic, the launch of a new demand response program, and the use of historical data for rate class allocation in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan. E1 plans to improve accuracy by using three years of historical data and reviews for future DSM plans.

1 uncertainty on whether the program would be curtailed on short notice; and there 2 would be inequity created between customers in the rate classes with only a few having 3 access. 4 5 Please also refer E1's response to IG IR–16 for more...

AI summary The text discusses uncertainty about curtailment of a program on short notice and potential inequity between customer rate classes. It also references EfficiencyOne's (E1) responses to previous requests regarding budget management and modelling inputs for the 2026 DSM Extension, noting consistency with the 2023–2025 DSM Plan and updates based on real-time adjustments and internal improvements.

1 measures in Attachment 2 with those included in the 2026 DSM Extension model. However, 2 E1 notes that the Affordable Single-Family Homes, Efficient Product Installation, and 3 Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project program components pr...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) notes that certain program components in the 2026 DSM Extension provide energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to participants, with zero payback periods. However, other components require updated model inputs for accurate payback period calculations. E1 also updated lifetime benefits in Table 1 to include both energy efficiency and demand response.

9 Table 1: E1 Residential Demand Response offerings as compared to NS Power Smart Grid E1 Res DR (Eco Shift) NS Power's Smart Grid NS Pilot 9 (b) Who provides notice and how it is provided to customers. 10 11 (c) Who is eligible to enroll?...

AI summary The document discusses the E1 Residential Demand Response (Eco Shift) program and NS Power's Smart Grid NS Pilot, focusing on customer notification procedures, eligibility, payment rates for curtailment, penalties for non-compliance, and definitions of 'high potential customers'. EfficiencyOne's response outlines communication protocols and references prior submissions.

(c) Please see part (b) of this IR response. 1 Request IR-22: 1 (b) Please refer to E1's response to IG IR-10. 2 3 (c) Please refer to part (b) of this IR response. E1 is unable to provide a line-by-line measure 4 level comparison of per u...

AI summary E1 explains that the DSM model is a forecast based on information at a point in time, and incentive levels may vary during implementation due to factors like product prices and market responses. Current incentive levels differ from those in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and were adjusted for the 2026 DSM Extension based on updated inputs and E1's incentive setting methodology.

Date Filed: June 25, 2025 E1 (IG) IR-23 Page 3 of 3 1 Request IR-24: 22 attributed to the difference in capital investment timing between the two scenarios which 23 has a degree of uncertainty. To remove this variability from the data set...

AI summary The document discusses the use of the Equivalent Escalating Avoided Cost of Energy series to smooth variability in data and requests an updated Excel file to layer rate impacts from the 2023–2025 DSM Plan with those from the 2026 DSM Plan. EfficiencyOne explains that a rate and bill impact analysis was conducted for the 2026 DSM Extension, but not for the full 2023–2026 period.

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 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 16 b Savings are applicable to dedicated low-income and equity program components (Affordable Multi-Family Homes, Affordable Single-Family Homes, Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project) & lt;sup>c Investment in...

AI summary The text outlines savings and investment components for low-income and equity programs, including definitions for first-year and lifetime unit costs for energy efficiency (EE) and Enabling Strategies. It also explains how net benefits are calculated for demand response (DR) and energy efficiency programs, using the 2023-2025 DSM Plan as a reference for avoided costs.

Support for Residential Customers– Demand Response - Residential Demand Response will follow the same approach for the 2026 DSM Extension as outlined in the approved 2023-2025 Plan with an expansion from the number of customers from 2025....

AI summary Residential Demand Response for 2026 will follow the 2023-2025 Plan's approach with an expansion in customer participation. E1 will implement Eco Shift DR pathways, including smart thermostats and electric water heater controllers, with annual payments to participants and a program investment of $4.0 million to support over 10,000 customers.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL Request IR-05: Page 15 of the Evidence states, "In its decision approving the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, the NSUARB (as it then was) made note of the fact th...

AI summary The document discusses E1's response to Synapse's request regarding avoided cost calculations for the DSM Plan. It notes that the 2022 Evergreen IRP results were incorporated into the 2026 DSM Extension, with carbon costs now embedded in energy avoided costs, unlike in the 2023-2025 Plan. The Board directed the DSMAG to address climate goals in avoided cost calculations for the 2026-2028 Plan.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL Request IR-10: Please refer to Table 5: 2026 Program Savings and Investment on page 23 of the Evidence. (a) Under the Demand Response (DR) Program sub...

AI summary The response to Request IR-10 asks for an updated version of Table 5 with a breakdown of Lifetime Benefits for the Residential Demand Response and BNI Demand Response program components and confirms that Lifetime Benefits represent the net present value of total benefits associated with the TRC.

(a) The lifetime benefits of Demand Response for the year 2026 by program component are as follows: Demand Response (DR) Program Lifetime Benefits ($ million) Residential Demand Response $0.9M BNI Demand Response $2.3M DR Program Total $3....

AI summary The lifetime benefits of Demand Response (DR) programs in 2026 are outlined, with residential and BNI DR programs contributing $0.9M and $2.3M respectively. These benefits are expressed as avoided costs, including capacity, transmission, and distribution, consistent with the Total Resource Cost Test (TRC) and Program Administrator Cost Test (PAC) in Nova Scotia.

M12249 – EfficiencyOne (E1) Application for Approval of the 2026 DSM Extension 1 Request IR-11: 2 concluding that this level of investment in measures that fail cost-effectiveness testing is 3 reasonable. 4 5 (d) Please provide a list of m...

AI summary The document outlines a request (IR-11) for EfficiencyOne (E1) to provide information on the cost-effectiveness of measures in the 2026 DSM Extension, including a list of measures with a payback period of 3 years or less and their associated metrics. E1 refers to its response to NSEB IR-17 and directs readers to specific appendices for detailed data on Demand Response.

6 (a) EfficiencyOne (E1) included demand response (DR) for the first time in its 2023-2025 DSM 7 Plan. Through implementation, E1 has encountered the following challenges with launching 8 a new DSM resource in an emerging space: • Evolving...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) included demand response (DR) for the first time in its 2023-2025 DSM Plan, but faced challenges such as evolving market understanding, complex value propositions, technology enablement, and balancing simplicity with regulatory requirements. This is related to the application for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension (M12249).

M12249 – EfficiencyOne (E1) Application for Approval of the 2026 DSM Extension 1 Available capacity achieved through demand response, on the other hand, refers to the 2 amount of load reduction that can be achieved during peak periods by t...

AI summary The document discusses EfficiencyOne's (E1) application for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension, focusing on the definitions and calculations of New Capacity and Available Capacity in demand response programs. It includes a request for clarification on these terms and their relation to E1's 2025 forecasts.

EfficiencyOne (E1) Responses to Industrial Group (IG) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Response IR-05: 2 3 (a) No. EfficiencyOne (E1) does not agree with Mr. Peach's Recommendation SVR2024- 4 Demand Response-13 that because there is...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) disagrees with Mr. Peach's recommendation that the small kW demand reduction from E1's demand response program does not demonstrate value. E1 argues that their program has already justified the business case for the DSM Plan and that the 2.4 MW of available capacity achieved in 2023 was validated by a consultant.

In 2024 for business, non-profit and institutional (BNI) customers, E1 continued with the Commercial and Industrial Aggregator and introduced domestic hot water direct load control, smart thermostat direct load control, and EV telematics a...

AI summary In 2024, E1 introduced new demand response and energy efficiency programs for BNI customers. However, Mr. Peach's recommendation regarding the practicality of demand response savings may lead to the elimination of these programs in the 2026 DSM Extension, affecting E1's ability to support NS Power in managing demand.

1 (a) Yes, EfficiencyOne (E1) did include the Residential Behaviour, the Residential Demand 2 Response and the Business Non-Profit and Institutional (BNI) Demand Response program 3 components in the 2026 DSM Extension Application. Any modi...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) included Residential Behaviour, Residential Demand Response, and BNI Demand Response programs in the 2026 DSM Extension Application. E1 disagrees with a recommendation that challenges the business case for these programs. The acceptance of Recommendation SVG24-G-1 by the NSEB has implications for the 2026 DSM Extension's performance targets. E1 is working on the 2027-2031 DSM Plan and will respond to the NSEB's decision.

Table 5. Demand Response Cost, Available Capacity, Participants, Benefits, and Cost-Effectiveness from 2023 to 2026 2023 Actuals 2024 Actuals 2025 Forecast 2026 DSM Extension 2023- 2026 Total Investment ($ million) 1.9 3.3 5.4 6.5 17.1 Ava...

AI summary Table 5 presents data on demand response investment, available capacity, participants, benefits, and cost-effectiveness from 2023 to 2026. The data shows increasing investment and participant numbers, decreasing unit costs, and growing lifetime benefits over time.

Extension Program Component Demand Response Option Investment ($ million) 2026 DSM Extension PAC 2026 DSM Extension TRC Residential DLC-Water Heating 0.31 0.33 Demand EV Charging Control 12/0 0.05 0.06 Response BTM Battery Control n/a 0.18...

AI summary The document presents a table with investment figures and cost estimates for various demand response programs under the 2026 DSM Extension, including residential and business components. It outlines Program Administrator Cost (PAC) and Total Resource Cost (TRC) for different initiatives such as EV charging control, water heating, and thermostat programs.

1 within each sector, and most programs and pathways are cost-effective from a 2 14 PAC perspective. 3 4 Q. Do you have any concerns with the fact that E1's demand response offerings are not cost-effective? 5 A. Yes. The PAC for the propos...

AI summary The discussion focuses on the cost-effectiveness of E1's proposed 2026 demand response program, with concerns raised about its Program Administrator Cost (PAC) being 0.5, indicating that system benefits are only half of system costs. The response also compares Nova Scotia's efforts to other jurisdictions, noting that Nova Scotia's 2026 demand response offering is lower than some Canadian and U.S. utilities.

Testimony and Proceeding Participation Forum On Behalf Of Docket/Matter Date Issues Addressed Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board The Consumer Advocate of Nova Scotia Matter No. M10473 An Application by EfficiencyOne for Approval of a 202...

AI summary This section outlines various utility and regulatory proceedings where entities have participated, addressing topics such as demand-side management plans, rate cases, and energy efficiency proposals. It includes details on the forums, participants, and issues addressed in each proceeding.

Avoided costs of both energy and capacity were based on NS Power's Evergreen IRP and avoided costs of transmission and distribution were provided by NS Power, both provided to the DSMAG on August 23, 2024. Avoided costs of carbon are embed...

AI summary The document discusses avoided costs related to energy, capacity, and carbon, referencing NS Power's Evergreen IRP and the 2026 DSM Extension. It outlines cost-effectiveness ratios, investment requirements for demand response (DR), and lifetime benefits calculations for energy efficiency (EE) and DR programs. It also mentions participation by low-income and equity customers in various programs.

grams components, such as Instant Savings and Efficient Product Installation, as well as the expected decline in savings in Home Energy Assessment with the closure of the Canada Greener Homes program. - [17] The planned 2026 DSM extension...

AI summary The document discusses E1's planned 2026 DSM extension investment, which is slightly below the 2025 forecast, and its support for the 2027-2031 DSM Plan and Integrated Resource Plan. It also mentions the development of demand response programs, including direct load control, battery control, and enabling technologies like critical peak pricing.

[22] Similarly, the BNI Demand Response program component offers financial incentives to BNI customers for the demand response capacity made available during peak events. Table 21 provides a summary of the BNI Demand Response program compo...

AI summary The BNI Demand Response program provides financial incentives to customers for demand response capacity during peak events. Table 21 outlines the 2026 DSM extension, showing a total investment of $4.0 million, new capacity of 3.7 MW, available capacity of 4.7 MW, and 10,303 participants.

a. Please provide a comparison of the Investment, Lifetime Benefits (TRC), Lifetime Benefits (PAC), TRC, and PAC for heat pump measures in the Green Heat program 1 component to the heat pump measures in the Home Energy Assessment program 2...

AI summary The text requests a comparison of investment and lifetime benefits for heat pump measures in the Green Heat program, referencing the Home Energy Assessment program. It also raises questions about participation trends in the Custom program and New Construction service and references the 2023-2025 approved Plan and the Balanced Plan principles from the Standardized Filing Framework.

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 includes several requests for clarification and data related to demand-side management (DSM) programs, performance targets, and budget variances. It also mentions the ongoing process for the 2026-2030 DSM Plan and references a table detailing budget allocations for enabling strategies.

1 2 3 (a) While the exact timing of project completions can be difficult to predict, what steps has E1 taken to understand and manage project completions (and payout of incentives)? 4 5 6 (b) Does E1 agree that it is good business practice...

AI summary The text includes several questions directed at E1 regarding project completion management, incentive payout processes, and demand response programs. It also references specific sections of a document and requests information on reports and program details.

2 Reference: Appendix A, page 44, 6.1.2 BNI Demand Response. 3 (a) Please discuss and define "peak events", and how these are called, any 4 limits in terms of days, seasons, hours etc. In providing your answer, 5 please compare the BNI DR...

AI summary The text outlines a series of questions related to the BNI Demand Response program, focusing on defining peak events, eligibility, payment structures, penalties for non-compliance, and identifying high potential customers, while also requesting a comparison with the Critical Peak Pricing program.

28 estimates that are unverifiable in any way. 29 - 1 (a) Please explain how the methodology was established (i.e. the basis for it, 2 including any jurisdictional cross-references) and whether it was modified 3 in any way during the curre...

AI summary The text raises concerns about the methodology and effectiveness of a demand response program, questioning its impact on utility operations and the justification for its continuation. It highlights the need for clearer evaluation of the program's practical benefits and business case.

ity control is. E1 has included both all option through the Eprogram component. Ce in DR events. ic Vehicle Managed Ch: V) either through EV suontrol (telematics). Cuspayment for participating V Control: utility control dispatching to the...

AI summary The text outlines various programs and strategies related to demand-side management, including smart thermostats, electric vehicle charging control, and efficient product installation. It discusses customer incentives, marketing tactics, and partnerships with organizations like EfficiencyOne and Eco Shift.