N-2NSPI (NSEB) RIR 1 to 5
15 passages
Executive Summary Nova Scotia's electricity system is entering a period of significant transformation. Growing electricity demand, increasing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), and progressively ambitious decarbonization obje...
AI summary Nova Scotia's electricity system is undergoing transformation due to rising demand, increased DER adoption, and decarbonization goals. DERs present opportunities for affordability and reliability but also pose challenges requiring coordinated strategies. The Energy Reform Act has restructured governance, introducing the NS Energy Board and IESO Nova Scotia. NS Power commissioned a DERIR to guide DER integration and support clean energy objectives.
Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) Advanced Metering infrastructure (AMI) Behind the Meter (BTM) Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Distributed Energy Resources Integrat...
AI summary The document lists various terms and acronyms related to energy management, distribution systems, and regulatory processes in Nova Scotia, including technologies like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), regulatory frameworks such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and programs like On-Bill Financing (OBF).
What are DERs? DERs are flexible loads or generators enabled by smart technologies that interact with the electricity system at the distribution level. They may be directly connected to the distribution grid (front of the meter) or located...
AI summary Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are flexible loads or generators enabled by smart technologies that interact with the electricity system at the distribution level. They can be connected directly to the grid or located on customer properties and include technologies like battery storage, solar generation, and demand response systems. Their adoption is increasing, requiring deliberate action to ensure an affordable, reliable, and clean electricity system.
State of Play in Nova Scotia In Nova Scotia, DER adoption and electrification has increased. From 2019 to 2024, EV vehicle registrations have increased significantly from 160 annual registrations in 2019 to over 2,800 in 20241 [, a](#page-...
AI summary Nova Scotia has seen a significant increase in DER adoption and electrification, with EV registrations rising from 160 in 2019 to over 2,800 in 2024, and net-metering interconnections tripling. Heat pump installations are also increasing, with forecasts indicating that by 2036, 73% of homes will use heat pumps for heating. This growth is expected to increase system peak demand by 28% between 2024 and 2035, emphasizing the need for proactive planning.
NS Power and EfficiencyOne (E1) have deployed several initiatives to support DER integration . NS Power has deployed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and implemented several time-varying rates to encourage load shifting. E1 delivers...
AI summary NS Power and EfficiencyOne (E1) have implemented initiatives like AMI and time-varying rates to support DER integration. The Energy Reform Act has restructured Nova Scotia's electricity sector, creating the NSEB and IESO Nova Scotia to oversee energy matters and grid operations. These changes emphasize collaboration between multiple organizations for effective system management.
Guiding Principles The goal of the DERIR is to provide a path that unlocks both grid and customer benefits from DERs, to support a more affordable, reliable, and clean electricity system for Nova Scotia. The following principles will guide...
AI summary The DERIR aims to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) in a way that delivers grid and customer benefits, ensuring affordability, reliability, equity, adaptability, and collaboration with stakeholders like E1 and IESO-NS.
TABLE 1: DERIR PILLAR, STRATEGY, AND INITIATIVE PRIORITIZATION PILLAR 1: PLANNING FOR DERS STRATEGY INITIATIVE PRIORITY 1.1 Stakeholder 1.1.1 Governance Model FOUNDATIONAL Coordination 1.1.2 Stakeholder Coordination Framework FOUNDATIONAL...
AI summary The DERIR Pillar, Strategy, and Initiative Prioritization table outlines key strategies and initiatives for integrating distributed energy resources (DER) in Nova Scotia. It emphasizes foundational elements such as governance, stakeholder coordination, and DER valuation, alongside evolving and emerging initiatives like equity frameworks and grid modernization.
TABLE 2: DERIR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND HOW THE ROADMAP ALIGNS WITH THEM DERIR Guiding Principles How The Roadmap Aims to Align with the Guiding Principles Beneficial The DERIR identifies actions with potential to unlock system, customer, an...
AI summary The DERIR (Distributed Energy Resources Integration Roadmap) outlines guiding principles such as being beneficial, affordable, reliable, equitable, adaptable, and collaborative. It emphasizes the integration of DERs while ensuring system reliability, cost management, and equitable distribution of benefits and costs. The roadmap also highlights stakeholder engagement and planning for evolving conditions.
Qualitative Assessment Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ●●● HIGH DER valuation framework directly advances the delivery of least-cost, reliable, and clean electricity and aligns with provincial climate and affordability goals. I...
AI summary The qualitative assessment highlights the strategic fit and benefits of a DER valuation framework in advancing clean, reliable, and affordable electricity while aligning with provincial goals. It emphasizes the need for consistent evaluation of DERs for cost-effective planning and risk management, though it notes the cost and time required for framework development.
Qualitative Assessment of Demand Response Programs Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ●●● HIGH DR programs are aligned with broader grid modernization and electrification objectives and allow Nova Scotia to build on existing knowl...
AI summary The qualitative assessment highlights that demand response (DR) programs in Nova Scotia are strategically aligned with grid modernization and electrification goals. They offer benefits such as peak shaving and emission reductions but depend on customer participation and integration with DERMS. While DR programs are cost-favorable due to limited infrastructure needs, risks include underperformance in peak reduction and loss of stakeholder confidence if not well-managed.
Strategic fit was scored based on alignment across five perspectives. Criteria Description Alignment (NS Power and Regulatory Direction) Degree initiative supports NS Power's efforts to provide reliable, affordable, and clean electricity,...
AI summary The chunk discusses the scoring of strategic fit based on alignment across five perspectives, including alignment with NS Power, E1's DSM efforts, government policies, stakeholder expectations, and market needs. It outlines criteria for evaluating initiatives in terms of their benefits to the electricity system and customers.
We assessed value qualitatively from three perspectives: electricity system, customer and society. Criteria Description System Capital Deferral Potential to defer or avoid distribution/transmission capital investments. System Reliability &...
AI summary The text outlines a qualitative assessment of value from three perspectives: electricity system, customer, and society. It lists criteria such as system capital deferral, system reliability, customer monetary value, non-energy benefits, and societal value, highlighting various benefits of initiatives related to distribution, transmission, and DERs.
Key Trends and Drivers for Action Demand Growth Increased heating, transport, and industry electrification is driving significant demand growth requiring innovative solutions to maintain grid affordability and reliability Evolving Distribu...
AI summary The document outlines key trends in Nova Scotia's energy sector, including demand growth driven by electrification, the evolution of distributed grids with increased DER penetration, and the push for decarbonization through clean energy and efficiency initiatives. Nova Scotia Power is highlighted as an example of a utility facing these challenges and opportunities.
Enabling - Limited customer awareness or understanding of DERs and programs - Existing compensation mechanisms may not align with the full value that DERs provide across generation and T&D systems - Limited coordination between stakeholder...
AI summary The text highlights challenges in enabling distributed energy resources (DERs), including limited customer awareness, misaligned incentives, regulatory uncertainty, and lack of coordination in deployment and integration across generation and transmission and distribution (T&D) systems.
Key findings from preliminary research includes: Planning: Leading utilities are systematically integrating DERs as a resource in IRPs and in distribution planning. While NSPI has an IRP process that considers DER, the jurisdictional scan...
AI summary The preliminary research highlights the importance of integrating DERs into IRPs and distribution planning, opportunities for enhancing DER considerations in Nova Scotia, and the need for enabling strategies like procurement, innovative rates, and DERMs. Next steps involve identifying innovative initiatives and key learnings for the DERIR.