Topic:"Demand Side Management" in M12619

REDACTED REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) 2026 ACE Plan CONFIDENTIAL (Attachments Only) 1 Figure 46: Forecast 2026 Spend in D005 Year Regular Labour Regular Labour Overtime Overtime (PH) $/PH Labour (PH) Labour $/PH 2026 40,549...

AI summary The 2026 ACE Plan includes a forecast of labor costs for D005, accounting for impacts from previous years' extreme events. NS Power believes the 5-year budgeting approach is reasonable for addressing cumulative effects from storm activity. The plan also includes forecasting for new customers.

10.00 0.00 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 NS Power Atlantic Utilities 2 3 4 Figure 61 and Figure 62 below represent NS Power’s reliability statistics with Major and Extreme 5 Events (such as Hurricanes Dorian, Fiona, and...

AI summary The document discusses NS Power’s reliability statistics, showing improvements in SAIFI and SAIDI metrics due to reduced severe weather events and effective outage prevention initiatives. It also mentions the 2026 ACE Plan, which is marked as confidential.

ration Phase-Out................................................................................... 35 30 7.0 ADDITIONAL IRP ACTION PLAN AND ROAD MAP ITEMS ................................... 38 Page 2 of 55 Date: December 12, 2025 Page 65...

AI summary This document outlines the 2026 ACE Plan's update, covering demand-side management, hybrid peak/load management, green hydrogen projects, offshore wind, and project accountabilities, coordination, and risk management strategies for Nova Scotia's energy sector.

1 7.0 ADDITIONAL IRP ACTION PLAN AND ROAD MAP ITEMS 2 3 In addition to the items identified in the 2030 Resource Development Plan, there are other elements 4 of the broader IRP Action Plan which have specific and significant impacts on res...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) received $173.1M for its 2023-2025 DSM Plan, targeting 412.7 GWh energy efficiency savings and 17.9 MW demand response capacity. Legislative amendments expanded 'demand-side management' to include strategic electrification and established the Nova Scotia Energy Board, emphasizing alignment with 2030 decarbonization goals.

Evergreen IRP, are increasingly important to achieving the 24 2030 decarbonization goals. 25 26 In March 2025, further amendments to the PUA 42 extended E1’s current 2023-2025 DSM Plan 27 term for an additional year with a prescribed total...

AI summary The 2025 update highlights the extension of E1’s DSM Plan until 2026 with a $63.75M investment, aligned with 2030 decarbonization goals. Legislative amendments to the Public Utilities Act (PUA) and Bill 228 introduced five-year DSM purchase agreements and portfolio-level evaluations. Bill 6 (March 2025) further shaped energy and natural resource policies.

1 Extension Period). As such, E1’s prior five-year DSM Plan development was temporarily paused 2 while E1 prepared and filed its 2026 DSM Plan Extension Application, which remains an open 3 Matter before the Board. 43 E1’s 2026 DSM Plan ta...

AI summary E1's 2026 DSM Plan extension targets 528.7 GWh energy savings and 16.3 MW DR capacity with $236.8M investment. NS Power collaborates with DSMAG on cost-effectiveness frameworks and electrification strategies, focusing on affordability and peak load reduction through hybrid electrification scenarios.

electrification load profiles 24 considered, the hybrid peak electrification profile emerged as an opportunity for reduction of 25 system peak load requirements and was studied as part of the Evergreen IRP. This scenario 26 assumes the ado...

AI summary The text discusses electrification load profiles, highlighting a hybrid peak electrification scenario studied in the Evergreen IRP, which reduces system peak load by adopting mini-split heat pumps. It references regulatory proceedings (M12249, M12282) involving EfficiencyOne and Nova Scotia Power Inc., including a 2026 DSM Extension and a new benefit-cost analysis test for DSM plans.

1 sources (such as oil and natural gas) to operate during the colder/peak system demand periods in 2 the winter when heat pumps are less efficient. This potential program has been considered and 3 discussed in NS Power’s Load Forecast Repo...

AI summary NS Power is evaluating a hybrid peak program to reduce winter demand by using alternative energy sources during peak periods. A study by Net Zero Atlantic, involving DOE and E1, aims to assess the program's cost impacts and operational models, with a completion timeline of Q1 2026.

1 In addition to the electrification strategy, the outcome of the 2020 IRP also pointed to the value of 2 DR programming to reduce peak load requirements. NS Power (with support from E1) is 3 progressing DR pilot programming with the inten...

AI summary NS Power and E1 are advancing demand response (DR) programs targeting 75 MW of peak load reduction, including residential, commercial, and industrial initiatives. The 2024/25 season saw 175 Smart Synergy and 4,000 Eco Shift participants contributing 6.6 MW and 0.6 MW of dispatchable capacity, respectively. NS Power’s TVP pilot is highlighted as a key mechanism for load shifting and system efficiency.

NS Power’s TVP Tariff pilot continues to 22 demonstrate strong value as an effective mechanism for encouraging load shifting to improve 23 system efficiency and for engaging customers through innovative rate options. Over the past four 24...

AI summary NS Power's TVP Tariff pilot has successfully reduced demand and improved system efficiency through load shifting. The 2024/25 season expanded participation and introduced the MURB TOU pilot, with positive stakeholder feedback and ongoing evaluation.

1 2 Through 2025, NS Power has made steady progress on the DERIR initiative. The initial 3 framework, first stakeholder workshop, development of list of DER-related initiatives, second 4 stakeholder workshop, and one-on-one interviews with...

AI summary NS Power has advanced the DERIR initiative through stakeholder engagement and planning, while exploring green hydrogen projects with developers like EverWind Fuels and Nova Sustainable Fuels. These projects require incremental resources beyond current load forecasts, highlighting the need for additional capacity and renewable energy integration.

2030 Accountability NS Power Key Action IESO-NS NS Government Partner Key Projects Items Action Items Key Action Items Action Items procurements for required products and services. Hybrid NS • Provide detailed load • Participate in • Deliv...

AI summary The text outlines collaborative efforts between NS Power, IESO-NS, and the NS Government on projects like Hybrid Peak management, load studies, and reliability initiatives. Key actions include load management studies, participation in sector studies, and development of demand response programs. NB Power is noted for enabling reliability work.

2026 ACE Plan Appendix G Page 48 of 71 NS Power Five-Year Reliability Plan - Update Non-Confidential 1 reliability and operational flexibility. To address these challenges, enhanced visibility, automation, 2 and control of DERs is importan...

AI summary NS Power's 2026 ACE Plan Appendix G discusses the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) to enhance grid reliability and decarbonization. It highlights the DERMS project, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with Nova Scotia's 2030 Clean Power Plan, emphasizing coordinated DER management for system resilience.

2026 Annual Capital Expenditure (ACE) Plan (NSEB M12619) NSPI Responses to Consumer Advocate Information Requests 1 Request IR-23: 25 (e) Yes, NS Power does believe that creating distance between the treeline edge and power 26 lines will c...

AI summary NSPI responds to information requests regarding the 2026 Annual Capital Expenditure (ACE) Plan. It discusses the effectiveness of vegetation management in reducing outages, the coding of outage events, and the use of frontline employee data for decision-making.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Response IR-26: 2 3 (a) Careful management of resources refers to contractor resources and includes activities such 4 as leveraging geographical homebases of contractor resources to reduce per diems and 5 hotel stays and...

AI summary NS Power discusses careful management of contractor resources to reduce costs and improve efficiency in its vegetation management program. The trimming of trees near existing lines is an operating expense, and the 2025 trimming goals were exceeded despite wildfire restrictions. Adjustments were made to focus on areas requiring less equipment and labor.

\ \ Increase driven by CI 47124 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure project. 1 Request IR-4: 9 Power's commitments made in the November 25 committee hearing regarding the 10 cybersecurity incident are upheld. 11 12 Response IR-5: 13 14 (a)...

AI summary The text discusses an increase in costs related to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project (CI 47124) and outlines responses to information requests regarding cybersecurity commitments and the justification for synchronous condensers in the 2026 ACE Plan.

6 (iii) Please refer to the table below: Year Residential (D061) Commercial (D062) Total 2022 6,199 586 6,785 2023 6,224 511 6,735 2024 7,802 625 8,427 2025 6,562 461 7,023 7

AI summary The table provides data on the number of residential and commercial installations for the years 2022 to 2025, with totals for each year. This information may be relevant to understanding trends in energy efficiency or program participation.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 2026 ACE Plan Condition Inputs 7 CEMI and CELID for internal reporting purposes, and BC Hydro tracks CEMI. Manitoba Hydro 8 previously tracked and reported on CEMI-4 and CELID-8 between 2009 and 2012, but no longer 9 track...

AI summary The document discusses the 2026 ACE Plan and mentions the tracking of CEMI and CELID metrics for internal reporting purposes. It highlights that tracking these metrics is only useful with industry-wide comparators and notes that Manitoba Hydro no longer tracks CEMI-4 and CELID-8. The 2025 ACE Plan application introduced the 'Resilience Gap' concept as a potential reference point for measuring the impact of resilience investments over time, with NS Power recommending stakeholder engagement before adopting it as a metric.

Brief Overview of Company Company Name: Dexter Construction Company Limited 927 Rocky Lake Drive, PO Box 48100 Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 3Z2 Phone: (902) 835-3381 Length of Time in Business: 64 Years Dexter Construction Company Limited (Dex...

AI summary This document provides a brief overview of Dexter Construction Company Limited, highlighting its 64 years in business, areas of expertise, and experience working with Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) and other industrial clients. It also mentions the use of Connors Diving Services Ltd. as a subcontractor.

4.1.2/

AI summary The section discusses the regulatory process and related topics, including energy efficiency programs, demand-side management, and the integration of renewable energy resources into the grid. It addresses compliance with legislation and the role of various stakeholders in the proceedings.

(b) "Regular" refers to Regular Administrative Overhead, also known as Labour AO. NS Power has three types of AO Rates, which are calculated in accordance with Board- 1 approved Accounting Policy 6230 – Application of Administrative and Ve...

AI summary The text discusses the Regular Administrative Overhead (Labour AO) and NS Power's three types of AO Rates, which are calculated in accordance with Board policies. It also references a project (DVR Phase 2) connected to a previously approved project (M11656) and requests regarding the status of customer surveys on Value of Lost Load (VoLL).

Q: What is the purpose of your testimony? A: I have reviewed most of the issues identified by the Board as well as the specific projects that NS Power seeks approval in its Annual Capital Expenditure Plan for 2025. I have not identified an...

AI summary The testimony aims to review NS Power's 2025 Annual Capital Expenditure Plan, focusing on cost minimization, risk matrices, and reliability projects. It also addresses concerns about the 2026 ACE Plan budget and reviews updates to the CEJC, Mersey Hydro, and Path to 2030 reports.

Q: Is it possible that the Maximo/Salesforce software is addressing your concern about the lack of a practice equivalent to the Basis of Schedule? A: Yes, it seems possible that comprehensive application of a work asset management system t...

AI summary The response suggests that the Maximo/Salesforce software may address concerns about the lack of a practice equivalent to the Basis of Schedule by providing a comprehensive work asset management system that includes labour, contractors, and equipment.

Q: What is your recommendation regarding spare inventory pooling? - A: The Board should obtain an inventory of NS Power's spare equipment to identify whether there is sufficient volume to consider whether a more cost-effective option could...

AI summary The respondent recommends that the Board obtain an inventory of NS Power's spare equipment to assess the feasibility of a spare inventory pooling program. Key considerations include equipment type, storage costs, and exclusion of routinely rotated items. If beneficial, the Board should request NS Power to report on the topic in its next ACE Plan application.

Q: What are your general views on the Mersey Hydro Update? A: Consistent with views that I have expressed to the Board in prior ACE Plan proceedings, I am concerned that NS Power does not have a strong plan for protecting customers from ex...

AI summary The respondent expresses concern that NS Power lacks a strong plan to protect customers from excessive costs related to the potential redevelopment or decommissioning of the Mersey Hydro project. NS Power is currently investing in maintaining the facility while deferring a full application for redevelopment or decommissioning.

Q: Is the NPV analysis reasonably complete? A: No. The Mersey Redevelopment Project was first identified as a subsequent submittal project in 2017, and retained in each ACE Plan on the same basis until it was moved to deferred status in th...

AI summary The NPV analysis is deemed incomplete due to high uncertainty in the decommissioning cost estimate for the Mersey Redevelopment Project, with NS Power not providing a direct comparison to redevelopment cost estimates. The project has been in study for nearly a decade, and the current estimate is based on high-level metrics without full scope consideration.

Readiness (FAASSTeR) meeting, Orlando, FL, November 2017. - "Making the Most of the Power Plant Market: Best Practices for All-Source Electric Generation Procurement," Southeast Energy and Environmental Leadership Forum, Nicholas Institute...

AI summary The document lists various presentations and meetings related to energy policy, load forecasting, and power generation practices, highlighting topics such as resource adequacy, real-time pricing, and the transition in power demand trends.

hern Alliance for Clean Energy. Adequacy of consideration of energy efficiency in Georgia Power's 2010 integrated resource plan, including cost effectiveness, rate and bill impacts, and lost revenues. Georgia PSC Docket No. 31082, direct t...

AI summary The text outlines expert testimony provided by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in various regulatory proceedings, focusing on the adequacy of energy efficiency considerations in integrated resource plans and demand side management plans of utility companies in Georgia and South Carolina.

M12619 NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 380 -and - IN THE MATTER OF: an application by NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED (NS POWER) for approval of approximately $284.0 million of its ANNU...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate filed evidence in the proceeding regarding NS Power's 2026 ACE Plan, highlighting cost minimization opportunities and issues with risk matrices and reliability projects. John Wilson of Grid Strategies provided recommendations on reporting requirements, contingency caps, and spare equipment inventory.

Contractor Management Scheduling and dispatch of work for pole-setting contractors in the new system has been implemented. Ongoing training and change management is being provided to contractors, however the expected benefits for year 1 ha...

AI summary The new system for scheduling and dispatching pole-setting contractors has been implemented, but initial benefits have not been realized due to inadequate change management for contractors and challenges with new scheduling tools. Ongoing training is continuing to address these issues.

Residual hydrocarbor conditions in indoor of Surface soils are not No dirt basement floo Confirmed that correct Confirmed that correct Default Site Charact Issue Depth to groundwate Impacted soil thicknet Default foundation craft. is do no...

AI summary The text discusses site assessment and tier I/II table checklist, including residual hydrocarbon conditions, soil types, and depth to groundwater. It confirms that certain conditions do not create objectionable odours or explosive risks, and addresses site characteristics and foundation considerations.

6.3 Affordability as a consideration under the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act [181] Affordability wording was introduced into the PUA by 2014 amendments about demand side management. The Board had to consider affordability when assessing...

AI summary The text discusses affordability considerations under the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act, noting that affordability provisions related to demand side management plans were repealed. It also highlights the Board's responsibility to ensure capital projects provide safe, reliable, and economical energy, while still meeting environmental and performance standards.

[193] The Path to 2030 Update shows the anticipated generation in the Total New Wind & Solar category has increased from a nameplate capacity of 1,139 MW in last year's update to 1,385 MW. The Green Choice Program shows a reduction of 154...

AI summary The Path to 2030 Update shows an increase in total new wind and solar capacity but a reduction in the Green Choice Program due to some projects not proceeding. A new Future Procurement of 350 MW has been announced, with an anticipated COD of 2029. Mersey Wind 1 and 2 have updated CODs, with the latter's first phase expected in 2027.

Spending Program pages 90 to 91

AI summary The document discusses the Spending Program, focusing on capital expenditures and funding mechanisms related to energy efficiency and demand-side management initiatives. It outlines the role of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Annual Capital Expenditure (ACE) in shaping energy programs.

Request IR-59: - NS Power's 2025 ACE Plan filing (Matter M12012) identified Work Order C0021835 IT – - Customer Information System Customer Information System (CIS) Replacement, which is - included in the 2026 ACE Plan as a project for sub...

AI summary The document requests detailed information on NS Power's CIS Replacement project, including spending to date, progress updates, and a Gantt chart with risk factors, as part of the 2025 ACE Plan filing and its inclusion in the 2026 ACE Plan.

Request IR-8: - Please refer to the announcement of a presentation to be made by NS Power with Ampacimon at - the upcoming Distributech event scheduled for February 3, 2026, as described in this event link - below: - [https://www.ampacimon...

AI summary Request IR-8 seeks information regarding NS Power's upcoming presentation at Distributech, focusing on the DLR Deployment project, its benefits to customers, oversight post-management transition to IESO Nova Scotia, and a copy of the presentation.

Reliability-Related Projects On reliability-related projects, Mr. Wilson questions whether NS Power's new distribution right of way projects are as cost-effective as they could be. Specifically, he notes that since 2016, NS Power's four re...

AI summary Mr. Wilson questions the cost-effectiveness of NS Power's distribution right of way projects, noting that reliability metrics related to tree contacts have not improved since 2016. He suggests examining the issue in the ongoing third-party review of the Five-Year Reliability Plan. The Consumer Advocate supports this but raises concerns about NS Power's reliance on an outdated 40% estimate for adverse weather-related tree contacts.

rse and non-adverse weather conditions, by increasing the separation between tree lines and power lines. As confirmed in response to CA IR-24(d), the 40% estimate continues to be validated through the experience and assessment of NS Power'...

AI summary NS Power discusses its methodology for estimating tree contact risks, validated by subject matter experts and field reviews. It acknowledges the 40% estimate remains reasonable and will continue to refine it as the vegetation management program evolves. The document references the 2026 ACE Plan Hearing Transcript and related exhibits.

6.3 Affordability as a consideration under the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act [181] Affordability wording was introduced into the PUA by 2014 amendments about demand side management. The Board had to consider affordability when assessing...

AI summary The Energy and Regulatory Boards Act requires the Board to consider affordability in the approval of demand side management plans. This requirement was recently repealed, but the Board's approach to affordability has not fundamentally changed. Section 6(2) of the Act emphasizes the need for safe, secure, reliable, and economical energy, reinforcing the use of least cost alternatives for capital projects while ensuring compliance with environmental and performance standards.

[193] The Path to 2030 Update shows the anticipated generation in the Total New Wind & Solar category has increased from a nameplate capacity of 1,139 MW in last year's update to 1,385 MW. The Green Choice Program shows a reduction of 154...

AI summary The text discusses changes in renewable energy procurement and capacity in Nova Scotia, including updates to the Green Choice Program and the introduction of a new 350 MW Future Procurement category. It also notes changes in the anticipated CODs for various wind projects, including Mersey Wind 1 and 2.

OPENING STATEMENT 51 NOVA SCOTIA POWER 1 periods of high demand, such as the extreme cold snap Nova 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

AI summary The document is an opening statement from Nova Scotia Power, though much of the content is missing or incomplete, with only a brief mention of periods of high demand, such as an extreme cold snap.

NS POWER PANEL 83 Cr-ex, (Murphy) 1 programs and come up with a figure, but how does that 2 work? Like, wouldn't that just result in every program 3 providing an equal benefit across the organization? 4 A. (Beaton) No, it would all be 5 ba...

AI summary The discussion revolves around how internal resource allocation affects the benefits of various programs, with a focus on the Vegetation Management Program and other projects. The conversation also touches on the use of work orders and software like Maximo for tracking project details and resource usage.

NS POWER PANEL 319 Cr-ex, (Mahody) 1 this project. And the question I wanted to focus in on is 2 BY MR. MAHODY: 3 Witness panel, I'm headed to the Q. 4 Pennsylvania breaker issue. 5 If we could call up N-1, page 402, 6 please. 7 And so you...

AI summary The text references a regulatory proceeding involving Nova Scotia Power, focusing on the Pennsylvania breaker issue and the determination of risk levels associated with circuit breakers. It includes references to specific pages and Board IR-126.