Topic:"Demand Side Management" in M12749

m is effectively suspended, no load shifting can occur and, under NS Power's proposal, customers would be paying different rates but receiving the same service as customers under the standard tariffs. The issue of a pilot and the applicati...

AI summary The Board distinguishes the current matter from a prior pilot program (M12171) where waiving interest charges for financially supported arrears had minimal revenue impact. Here, the proposed rate structure (TVP program) could result in $500,000 lost revenue, which NS Power may seek to recover in the future. The Board emphasizes stakeholder participation if recovery is pursued, while maintaining TVP program continuity.

START THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SHIFT YOUR ENERGY USE When a critical peak event is in play, the more you reduce or shift your energy use, the more you'll save. The more energy an appliance uses—a clothes dryer, for example, is one of the...

AI summary The text encourages consumers to reduce or shift energy use during critical peak events to save money, highlighting appliances like clothes dryers as major energy users. It promotes a new time-of-day rate plan and directs readers to online tips for optimization.

Christine Cameron After review and consideration of all of the following and attached, my Final Written Decision in the matter follows. I will begin with my Role Statement as Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) in matters of dispute between N...

AI summary Christine Cameron, as Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO), outlines her role in resolving disputes between Nova Scotia Power and customers. The customer disputes changes to their billing cycle, rate changes, and the Critical Peak program's terms, arguing that N.S.Power paused the program without prior agreement and imposed higher rates.

off-peak rate for these customers should be lowered to equal the standard rate during the suspended program. The Board would not expect these customers to be disappointed with this temporary measure. Further, the Board agrees with the conc...

AI summary The Board agrees with Synapse's recommendation to adjust TVP rates if system functionality is restored before March 31, 2026, including a 30-day notice period for TOU customers. It also supports maintaining CPP customers on the TVP tariff without requiring notice post-restoration, emphasizing benefits from earlier load shifting and program reinstatement.

https://www.nspower.ca/your-home/residential-rates/critical-peak Base Charge on Your Bill �Fixed Charge) Energy Charge �Variable Charge) All Nova Scotia Power rates for customers are subject to detailed review by stakeholders and the . Fol...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power (NSP) explains that customer rates require approval from the Nova Scotia Energy Board after stakeholder review. Rates include fixed base charges and variable energy charges. Critical Peak events, occurring during specific hours and seasons, aim to manage demand through time-varying pricing structures.

NS Power submits that Option A is the only “viable path forward” because it “preserves customer enrollment, supports longer-term continuity of the TVP program, and minimizes disruption for customers”. Due to the delay in filing its TVP app...

AI summary NS Power advocates for Option A as the only viable path forward for the TVP program, emphasizing continuity and minimizing customer disruption. The Board raised concerns about revenue neutrality and system benefits, noting a potential $500,000 revenue shortfall if TVP tariffs are adopted. Expedited processing was requested to implement rates by November 2025, with stakeholder submissions received by October 2025.

off-peak rate for these customers should be lowered to equal the standard rate during the suspended program. The Board would not expect these customers to be disappointed with this temporary measure. Further, the Board agrees with the conc...

AI summary The Board addresses adjustments to Time-Varying Pricing (TVP) rates during a suspended program, ensuring fairness for customers. Synapse argues against NS Power’s proposal to extend TVP rate unavailability until March 2026, advocating for shorter notice periods and resuming TVP tariffs promptly if system functionality is restored. The Board agrees, emphasizing minimizing disruption and re-enrollment requirements for TVP participants.

s resulting from the cyber incident, the Board ordered that, while TVP system functionality is unavailable, all customers enrolled in the TVP program be billed at the applicable standard offer rate. The Board did not approve or direct any...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board ordered TVP program participants to be billed at standard rates during a system outage, citing the Public Utilities Act's requirement for equal pricing. NS Power confirmed Meter #2282001 is under testing, while a customer disputes billing based on estimated reads. The Board rejected compensation for TVP participants during the suspension.

y the costs. It is quite an obvious omission that there is some responsibility to be had in how the company is run and that does not come down to me the customer. It should not be my cost to absorb. In the findings, the Board also sees my...

AI summary Customer Christine Cameron criticizes NSP for shifting infrastructure and management costs to consumers, citing opaque communication about the Critical Peak program and deferred capital spending. She argues the Board's approval of NSP's repair-over-maintenance approach and lack of transparency violates customer interests.

n 2 months. I asked today why this occurred and they were unable to answer this for me. Apparently this has been looked at. Would you please confirm for me when our next metre read is scheduled for? 2. I questioned why the 3 different rate...

AI summary Customer disputes incorrect billing rates and paused Critical Peak program, arguing NS Power misrepresented program terms and failed to maintain agreed-upon lower rates. Requests recalculation of charges and clarification on meter reading schedules.

a future bill. The January 2026 bill was a true read. It is NS Power’s position that the customer has been billed appropriately. It is a misnomer to say we had been billed appropriately. We certainly DID pay for power we did not use during...

AI summary Customer disputes NS Power's billing accuracy during the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) pilot program, citing overestimation of usage and delayed meter readings until January 2026. NS Power asserts billing was appropriate, but the customer argues they were overcharged and not adequately informed about CPP program details.

13 Attachment Contents Relevant Details 1 Domestic Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Tariff Approved in M11267; effective November 1, 2023 2 Enrolment materials and customer-facing documentation for 2023/24 Season (including December 2023) Provi...

AI summary This document outlines various attachments related to the Domestic Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) tariff and the Time-Varying Pricing (TVP) Pilot Program for the 2023/24 Season, including enrolment materials, customer communications, and program details. The CPP tariff was approved in M11267 and became effective on November 1, 2023.

CUSTOMER / COMMUNICATION - There is opportunity to better communicate with TOU customers that they may experience higher bills in the winter and will see lower bills throughout the summer when the daily rate is lower. - Create visuals for...

AI summary The text outlines strategies to improve communication with TOU customers, including visual aids and FAQs, cross-collaboration with Efficiency Nova Scotia for load-shifting tech, targeting electrically heated customers, and enhancing digital tactics over direct mail. It also highlights automation needs for rate changes and improvements in customer support models.

CUSTOMER / COMMUNCIATION - Including more visual examples such as sample TOU bill in the winter vs. summer on the website proved helpful for customers. - Savings estimator tools and energy planner tool on website continued to be helpful fo...

AI summary The text highlights customer communication strategies, noting the effectiveness of visual tools and savings estimators on the website, challenges in reaching business customers, and the need for automation in rate changes. Email was effective for residential but not business audiences, while recruitment efforts benefited from early starts and Key Accounts team collaboration. Streamlined application processes and regular customer care meetings were emphasized.

Business Recruitment TOU (RATE 82/83) CPP (RATE 72/83) COMMERCIAL TOTAL Enrolment Target 500 500 2,000 Year 3 New Applications 35 7 42

AI summary The Business Recruitment table outlines enrolment targets and Year 3 applications for TOU (Time Varying Pricing) and CPP (Critical Peak Pricing) programs, with targets of 500 each (total 2,000) but only 42 new applications achieved. This highlights a significant gap between recruitment goals and actual participation.

Commentary - 2% of the business enrollment target was achieved - Close to 44% of new business participants they primarily heat their homes with electricity (i.e., baseboards, heat pump). - For Year 3, The top business sector participants a...

AI summary The commentary reports that 2% of the business enrollment target was met, with 44% of new participants using electricity for home heating. Year 3's top sectors include retail, restaurants, and professional services. The data highlights participation trends and heating preferences among business customers.

Tactics and Schedule - Existing customers retention plan: - Retention E-mail Campaign: October 6 to December 5th, 2023 - Details to Come Update: October 6th - Announcement of Extension: October 31st - Reminder to Opt-in to CPP: November 24...

AI summary The document outlines a customer retention and recruitment plan for a utility program, including email campaigns, bill inserts, and targeted outreach from October 2023 to December 2023. It emphasizes promoting Time Varying Pricing (TVP) and Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) through reminders, opt-in prompts, and energy management tips to enhance customer engagement in the pilot's third year.

Email

AI summary The email discusses the implementation of Time Varying Pricing (TVP) and Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) programs by Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) and their potential impact on customers and energy usage patterns.

Critical Peak Events: - Are called between November 1st and March 31st with a maximum of 18 total critical peak events. - Are limited to three events per week. - Last for four hours anytime between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm. - Occur on weekdays...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power outlines critical peak events (CPEs) occurring between November 1st and March 31st, with up to 18 events annually, three per week, lasting four hours on weekdays and weekends (excluding holidays). Customers receive advance notice via email/text, and non-peak rates offer savings. The program aims to manage demand through time-varying pricing (TVP) and critical peak pricing (CPP).

Control Change how you use energy throughout the day.

AI summary The text suggests adjusting energy usage patterns throughout the day, potentially related to time-of-use pricing or demand response strategies to optimize energy consumption.

Eliaibility requirements - To be eligible for the pilot, customers must meet the following requirements: 1. Have a smart meter that has been installed and activated for remote billing. - 2. Complete all required fields in the application f...

AI summary Eligibility for the Critical Peak Rate Plan requires smart meters, completed applications, and exclusion of net metering/seasonal customers. Participants receive notifications to manage energy use, with no guaranteed savings. NS Power may adjust or end the program post-pilot, and customers can exit without penalty. Privacy policies govern data collection, and UARP regulations apply.

ABOUT THE PILOT PROGRAM Through this pilot program, we are looking to examine how shifts in the time of day that energy is used can benefit both customers and the electrical grid. These plans provide opportunities for customers to save mon...

AI summary The pilot program aims to shift customer energy use from peak to off-peak hours, reducing bills and benefiting the grid. Customers can save by adjusting consumption patterns during high-demand periods.

CRITICAL PEAK PLAN On winter weekdays, when the electrical grid is at peak capacity, a "Critical Peak event" may be announced where prices are higher to reflect the higher cost of providing energy during those hours. This plan is designed...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power's Critical Peak Plan charges higher rates during winter weekday peak hours to manage grid demand. Customers must have a registered MyAccount to participate, incentivizing energy use shifts outside four-hour Critical Peak events.

ENERGY SHIFTING TIPS

AI summary The document introduces 'Energy Shifting Tips,' focusing on time-varying pricing mechanisms (TVP/CPP) and references Nova Scotia Power entities (NSP/NSPI). No substantive content or analysis is provided in the text.

Electric water heater Avoid long showers just before or during peak hours. Consider installing a timer to heat water during off-peak hours. Program it to lower during peak hours, especially when you're not home.

AI summary The text advises avoiding long showers during peak hours and using timers to heat water off-peak, promoting energy efficiency and demand-side management practices.

ax, NS B3J 3S8 file:///C/...g%20Rate%20Pilot%20-%20'Nova%20Scotia%20Power%20Inc.'%20([email protected])%20-%202025-11-13%200900.txt[2026-04-02 11:32:35 AM] Canada Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? Yo...

AI summary NS Power notifies participants of the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Pilot Program, outlining critical peak and off-peak rates. Critical peak events occur 18 times annually (max 3/week) between November 1st and March 31st, lasting 4 hours daily (6:00 am–11:00 pm), with advance communication via email/text.