Topic:"Infrastructure Planning" in M12177

June 30, 2026 Crystal Henwood Clerk of the Board Nova Scotia Energy Board 1601 Lower Water Street, 3rd Floor Halifax, NS B3J 3S3 Re: M12177 – Nova Scotia Power Inc. – Smart Grid Nova Scotia - Final Report Decision Directive – Distributed E...

AI summary The letter outlines key developments in Nova Scotia's electricity sector since the direction was issued to NS Power to develop a DERIR. These include the establishment of the Nova Scotia Energy Board, the creation of the IESO-NS, and ongoing proceedings related to DSM plans and the IRP. These changes impact DER integration and are shaping the regulatory framework.

Distributed Energy Resource Roadmap The DERIR was prepared by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors (Dunsky). Dunsky was commissioned by NS Power to support the DERIR by drawing on jurisdictional research, stakeholder perspectives, and professi...

AI summary The Distributed Energy Resource Integration Roadmap (DERIR) was developed by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors for NS Power, informed by stakeholder input and past DER integration efforts. It outlines twelve strategies and twenty-eight initiatives to enable DER integration in Nova Scotia. The DERIR is a shared strategic framework, not owned by any single entity, and will be discussed with stakeholders and updated for the NSEB.

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. The Energy Reform Act has created new governance structures, including the NS Energy Board and IESO Nova Scotia. NS Power and Efficiency One have distinct roles, and coordination is essential as DERs grow. A DERIR has been commissioned to guide integration of DERs while supporting clean energy objectives.

Pillar 1: Planning for DERs This pillar focuses on establishing the foundations required for effective DER integration. Key priorities include strengthening governance and stakeholder coordination, building institutional capacity, developi...

AI summary This section outlines the priorities for Pillar 1, which focuses on planning for DERs. It emphasizes the need to strengthen governance, improve forecasting, develop valuation frameworks, and identify future regulatory needs to enable effective DER integration.

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 202[4](#page-14-0)...

AI summary Nova Scotia has seen significant growth in DER adoption and electrification, with EV registrations increasing from 160 in 2019 to over 2,800 in 2024, and net-metering interconnections tripling. Heat pump installations are also growing, with the 2026 Load Forecast Report projecting that 50% of homes will use heat pumps for heating by 2026. This growth is expected to increase system peak demand by 28% between 2024 and 2035, necessitating proactive planning.

FIGURE 2: DERIR DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

AI summary This figure outlines the development approach for the Distributed Energy Resources Integration Roadmap (DERIR), which involves key components such as stakeholder engagement, data collection, and integration planning for distributed energy resources.

Summary of Roadmap The DERIR is built around three core pillars - 1. Planning for DERs proactively to leverage DERs as a resource for meeting emerging system needs. Planning supports coordinated governance, analytical foundations, and regu...

AI summary The DERIR is structured around three pillars: planning for DERs, enabling DER participation, and integrating DERs. These pillars aim to support coordinated governance, stakeholder alignment, and operationalization of DERs through strategies and initiatives. The roadmap includes 12 strategies and 28 initiatives based on stakeholder input and internal knowledge.

Overview Stakeholder coordination for DER integration planning is a structured process of working collaboratively across NS Power, IESO-NS, E1, NS Energy Board, DER providers, technical experts, communities, and other interested parties. C...

AI summary Stakeholders emphasize the need for stronger, structured coordination among NS Power, E1, and IESO-NS for DER integration planning. Clear governance, shared mandates, and regular communication are seen as essential to align assumptions, improve planning quality, and support upcoming milestones such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), DSM Plan, and capacity procurements.

Overview This strategy examines the planning and analytical capabilities needed to support efficient, equitable, and cost-effective DERs. It leverages existing electricity system intelligence tools, such as hosting capacity maps, to active...

AI summary This strategy focuses on DER planning and analytical tools to support efficient and cost-effective integration. Stakeholders recommend stronger coordination between NS Power, E1, and IESO-NS to reduce costs and align assessments with DSM planning. Annual updates to hosting capacity data and targeted locational analyses are suggested to guide DER siting and program design.

Qualitative Assessment Criteria Assessment Rationale Description DER potential studies can play an important "bridge" role when they sit upstream of both planning and procurement, as they can shape how DERs are valued before they are evalu...

AI summary DER potential studies serve as a bridge between planning and procurement, helping to value DERs consistently with supply-side resources. Forecasts should include hourly and feeder-level granularity to support long-term planning and investment decisions as DER adoption grows. These studies depend on strategies related to DER valuation frameworks, customer programs, and procurement pathways.

Qualitative Assessment for Grid Interconnection Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ●● MED Grid security and reliability initiatives can directly support the operation of a safe, secure, reliable system. Clear interconnection, prot...

AI summary The document evaluates the qualitative aspects of grid interconnection, focusing on strategic fit, benefits, cost favourability, and risk management. It emphasizes the importance of standards for DERs, reliability, and coordination across processes.

Qualitative Assessment Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ●●● HIGH Grid modernization helps ensure safe and reliable distribution operations and compliance with government reliability performance standards. As DER penetration incr...

AI summary The qualitative assessment highlights the strategic fit, benefits, cost favourability, and risk management of grid modernization. It emphasizes the importance of grid modernization for reliability, DER integration, and operational efficiency, while noting the significant upfront costs and implementation risks.

A LIVING AND ADAPTIVE ROADMAP Roadmaps are prepared at a specific point in time. To remain relevant and effective, roadmaps should be treated as a living document. Typically, strategies, initiatives, and priorities are periodically reviewe...

AI summary This section emphasizes the importance of treating roadmaps as living documents that require periodic review and updates to remain relevant. Updates should align with changes in system conditions, new information, and developments in policy, regulation, and the market, while considering other relevant actions such as studies, DSM planning, and IRP processes.

Jurisdictional Scan Overview – Utilities Reviewed

AI summary The document provides an overview of a jurisdictional scan of utilities reviewed, including technical systems and infrastructure such as AMI, ADMS, and SCADA. It includes a reference to a picture on page 73.

Key Barriers Commonly Driving Utilities' DER Integration Efforts - Planning Inconsistent treatment and consideration of DERs in system planning at the generation, transmission and distribution levels - DERs viewed as a "load modifier" and...

AI summary The document highlights key barriers to the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) within utility planning processes. These include inconsistent treatment of DERs as a resource class, limited data visibility, uncertainty about market adoption, and a lack of stakeholder buy-in.

Planning Strategies - Integrated Resource Plan : PGE submits a Clean Energy/Integrated Resource Plan, which anticipates and plans for growing electricity demand and a pathway to achieving state GHG reduction targets. It emphasizes the impo...

AI summary PGE's planning strategies include an Integrated Resource Plan focusing on DERs and DR, a Distribution System Plan emphasizing grid modernization and DER integration, and a Transportation Electrification Plan addressing EV load management and forecasting.

Spotlight: Highlights from Hawaiian Electric Company's (HECO) Customer Energy Resource Strategy HECO's Customer Energy Resource (CER) strategy centers around three "Cs" that are enabled through three "Ps": - Choice : Customers chose which...

AI summary HECO's Customer Energy Resource (CER) strategy focuses on choice, coordination, and collaboration, offering various rate designs, demand response programs, and procurement processes. The strategy emphasizes grid modernization and integrated grid planning, with investments in DERMS, AMI, and ADMS, and efforts to define advanced inverter interconnection standards.

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 opportunities for Nova Scotia Power (NSP) to enhance the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) and distribution planning. It emphasizes the need for more granular planning, risk analysis, and the use of DER Management Systems (DERMs) to support DER integration and reduce uncertainty for system operators.