Topic:"Demand Side Management" in M12550

7.3.5. Safety Performance a. This step will include a review of the Safety and Health Performance document completed by the contractor which will cover specific leading and lagging indicators over the past three years. Past NSPI Contractor...

AI summary This section discusses the review of the Safety and Health Performance document by the contractor, focusing on leading and lagging indicators over the past three years, and the consideration of past NSPI Contractor Performance Evaluation forms before awarding a contract.

Review of C0051815 - RTU Replacements Program - Phase 6 (NSEB M12550) NSPI Responses to NSEB Information Requests

AI summary This document outlines NSPI's responses to NSEB information requests regarding the RTU Replacements Program - Phase 6. It is part of the regulatory proceeding identified as NSEB M12550.

NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD Nova Scotia Power Incorporated - To obtain a cost reasonableness review of NS Power - CI C0051815 – $5,959,515 - RTU Replacements Program – Phase 6, as outlined in Section 2.1 of the 2025 ACE Plan Decision 13 (M120...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board is conducting a cost reasonableness review of the RTU Replacements Program – Phase 6, as outlined in Section 2.1 of the 2025 ACE Plan Decision 13 (M12012). Midgard Consulting Incorporated has responded to information requests from The Consumer Advocate.

Request IR-1: - Reference : With respect to Midgard's statement that NS Power's execution strategy uses - "sequential execution" (p. 13) and that: - The installation sequence does not appear optimized to maximize work crew efficiency throu...

AI summary Midgard is asked to evaluate NS Power's use of sequential execution in the RTU Replacements Program, including its impact on operational efficiency, cost, and scheduling. The inquiry also explores whether earlier filing or alternative execution strategies could have reduced costs and improved efficiency.

NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD Nova Scotia Power Incorporated - To obtain a cost reasonableness review of NS Power - CI C0051815 – $5,959,515 - RTU Replacements Program – Phase 6, as outlined in Section 2.1 of the 2025 ACE Plan Decision 13 (M120...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board is conducting a cost reasonableness review of the RTU Replacements Program – Phase 6, as outlined in Section 2.1 of the 2025 ACE Plan Decision 13 (M12012). Midgard Consulting Incorporated has responded to information requests from The Consumer Advocate.

Midgard Response IR-1: - a) Midgard's report employs the concept of optimization to mean a lower cost to execute the program without material changes to the risk profile in its execution. The lower cost is attributable to facilitating the...

AI summary Midgard's response discusses the concept of optimization in program execution, focusing on cost reduction through productivity gains from hands-on learning. It notes that a multi-crew model may not yield the same benefits. Midgard did not evaluate NSPI's phasing or execution of its RTU replacement program, nor did it analyze alternative filing timelines or hypothetical cost reductions.

gard's opinion as to whether the RTU replacement projects can be considered "routine in nature," "do not present a higher level of cost risk," "have set pricing in place to control costs," and that costs and completion timelines are not ma...

AI summary The text requests Midgard's opinion on whether NS Power's RTU replacement projects are routine, the adequacy of risk management practices, and the consistency of risks across projects. It also references prior regulatory decisions and exhibits related to the 2026 ACE Plan and 2024 ACE Plan.

1 2 3.2 Enhanced Reporting Requirements 3 4 The Midgard Evidence provided the following recommendation regarding future reporting 5 requirements: 6 7 Direct NSPI to (i) reconcile assumed installation durations to site-specific technical 8...

AI summary NS Power acknowledges the Midgard Evidence recommendations for enhanced reporting but argues they are forward-looking governance suggestions rather than findings of imprudence. While some data was lost due to a cyber incident, NS Power had previously tracked and plans to rebuild necessary information for future phases.

Request IR-7: - At Page 2 of 2 of the NSPI (NSUARB) IR-140 (Exhibit N-9 of 2025 ACE Plan), NS Power states: - The increase in estimated labour hours for Phase 6 in comparison to Phase 1 is a direct result of evolving infrastructure complex...

AI summary The document requests detailed information on the changes in RTU installation and commissioning test procedures between Phase 1 and Phase 6, including differences in testing, documentation, and their impact on increased labour hours.

ctions): 1. Identify the function, bay, or internal asset tag so units can be differentiated. At Page 2 of 3 of the NSPI (NSEB) Undertaking U-6 (Exhibit N-21 of 2025 ACE Plan), NS Power states: Also, because the installations are much broa...

AI summary The text discusses the increased complexity and resource requirements of Phase 6 RTU installations, including the need for dedicated project management, challenges related to remote locations, and workforce constraints. These factors increase labor hours and impact project timelines.

1 Request IR-1: 2 With respect to Midgard's statement that NS Power's execution strategy uses "sequential 3 execution" (p. 13) and that: 4 5 The installation sequence does not appear optimized to maximize work crew 6 efficiency through pro...

AI summary The document includes a request to Midgard for their opinion on NS Power's execution strategy for the RTU Replacements Program, including the use of sequential execution, phased implementation, and potential cost reductions through earlier filing and operational efficiency improvements.

sion lines can 45 fluctuate, this typically does not have a material impact on completion timelines or overall 46 cost." (Exhibit N-5, M11458, CA RIR-17) Please provide Midgard's opinion as to whether - 1 the RTU replacement projects can b...

AI summary The text requests Midgard's opinion on whether RTU replacement projects are routine, whether NS Power has sufficient experience with such projects, and whether a risk matrix was reasonably omitted for the Phase 6 project. It also asks whether the risk matrix documentation meets the recommended level of attention to risk factors.

M12550 NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act – and – IN THE MATTER OF: To obtain a cost reasonableness review of NS Power - CI C0051815 – $5,959,515 - RTU Replacements Program – Phase 6, as outline...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate has requested information regarding NS Power's RTU Replacements Program, specifically about the execution strategy and whether it optimizes work crew efficiency. Midgard Consulting is being asked to provide details on the installation sequence and its impact on productivity and program costs.

ave set pricing in place to control costs,” and that costs and completion timelines are not materially affected by any outage windows for transmission lines. 5. Similarly, in the 2026 ACE Plan proceeding, NS Power justifies the lack of a r...

AI summary The text discusses NS Power's justification for not preparing a risk matrix for the Phase 6 project, citing their experience with transformer addition projects. It also references the Project Delivery Model (PDM) and asks for Midgard’s opinion on the adequacy of risk documentation for RTU replacement projects.

data in Exhibit N-3(i)(C) and supporting data provided by NS Power that are not explained by existing formulas in the workbook, please provide support for those differences as well. Request IR-8: In Appendix A, p. 40, Midgard discusses the...

AI summary The document includes requests for clarification on data discrepancies, the familiarity of the Midgard team with specific software used by NS Power, and the potential for operational efficiency improvements from implementing Maximo/Salesforce. It also asks about evidence of cost minimization and recommendations for reconciling efficiency with learning-curve benefits.

Submissions The Small Business Advocate (SBA) respectfully submits that it does not object to NS Power proceeding with the RTU Phase 6 replacement based on NS Power's evidence supporting the criticality of these units in order to ensure cu...

AI summary The Small Business Advocate (SBA) does not object to NS Power proceeding with RTU Phase 6 replacement, provided that NS Power reports on lessons learned and potential revisions to the CEJC and PDM following the project's completion.