Topic:"Infrastructure Planning" in M13118

s, and integration of climate risks into asset risk assessments and long-term investment planning. Detailed examples are provided throughout this Plan and in the accompanying Wildfire Mitigation Plan. NS Power recognizes that climate adapt...

AI summary NS Power outlines its commitment to integrating climate risks into asset management and long-term planning. The plan emphasizes flexibility, continuous improvement, and shared accountability across the organization. NS Power will monitor climate risks, collect climate-related data, and use external expertise to enhance understanding of future climate conditions in Nova Scotia.

Limitations of Adaptation Planning Exercise NS Power acknowledges that climate change poses a broader set of risks beyond the physical impacts addressed in this Climate Adaptation Plan. These broader risks include transition risks[5](#page...

AI summary NS Power recognizes that climate change introduces transition risks beyond physical impacts, which are addressed in broader electricity system planning and regulatory processes, including studies by the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (NS IESO), such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the 10-Year System Outlook (10YSO).

Climate Change as an Enterprise Risk for Utilities The electric utilities sector is being significantly impacted by physical effects of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that the electricity secto...

AI summary Climate change poses significant risks to the electric utilities sector, particularly in Nova Scotia, where infrastructure was not designed with current climate projections in mind. Both acute and chronic climate impacts, such as extreme weather and temperature shifts, threaten the integrity of generation, transmission, and distribution assets. Adaptation planning is essential to mitigate these risks.

[Table](#page-11-1) 1.1, below presents some examples of the types of physical climate risk-related impacts expected for Canadian electric utilities such as NS Power. 7 World Energy Perspective, "The road to resilience – managing and finan...

AI summary The text discusses physical climate risk-related impacts on Canadian electric utilities, such as NS Power, including damage to infrastructure from extreme weather, increased flood risks, and threats from wildfires and coastal storms. It also mentions opportunities arising from adapting to these risks as climate targets are met.

The Adaptation Degree variable uses three classifications: - Incremental Climate impact is managed within existing processes - Tactical Climate impact requires new processes - Strategic Climate impact requires a significant change in asset...

AI summary The document outlines the Adaptation Degree and Expenditure Level variables used by NS Power to assess climate impacts on its assets. It describes three classifications of adaptation, timing of impacts, and key operational areas evaluated. A prioritization tool, the ELAD Matrix, is developed to help integrate climate risks into asset management strategies.

Table 3.6: Relevant Climate Hazards and Associated Climate Impacts for NS Power Climate Hazard Expected Risk Level Primarily Affected Business Units Example Impacts Extreme Weather Events (Hurricanes, High Winds, Ice Storms) High Transmiss...

AI summary The text discusses climate hazards and their impacts on NS Power's operations, including extreme weather events, flooding, sea level rise, and ecosystem changes. It highlights risks to infrastructure, operations, and environmental management, and notes combined impacts such as ice and wind events affecting assets.

ission Asset Identified in Step 2 The three transmission lines (one 345kV line and two 138kV lines) connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are critical to maintaining NS Power's system reliability. NS Power-known climate risks: Flooding...

AI summary This section discusses the critical transmission lines connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, highlighting climate risks such as flooding, ice accumulation, and elevated temperatures. NS Power has implemented adaptations, including a $650 million funding agreement and updated infrastructure standards, to enhance resilience against climate impacts.

Hydroelectric Generating Stations Hydro facilities are highly sensitive to changing precipitation patterns, flood intensity, spring melt timing, drought, and wildfire exposure in watershed areas. These climate shifts affect dam safety, spi...

AI summary Hydroelectric generating stations are vulnerable to climate-related changes such as altered precipitation, flooding, and wildfire risks. NS Power is implementing measures like updated flood studies, climate-adjusted evaluations, and integration of climate data into dam safety reviews to adapt to these challenges.

Transmission System The transmission network faces growing risks from high-wind events, icing and freezing rain, heat-related loading constraints, and erosion or flooding at water crossings. Climate projections highlight increasing hours o...

AI summary The transmission network is at risk from climate-related events such as high winds, icing, freezing rain, heat, and flooding. NS Power is addressing these risks through design upgrades, monitoring, and infrastructure improvements as detailed in Appendix A.

Substations Substations across Nova Scotia are increasingly affected by overland and coastal flooding, higher ambient temperatures, wildfire exposure, and extreme weather events such as hurricanes and ice storms. Flooding at the 82V Elmsda...

AI summary Substations in Nova Scotia face increasing risks from flooding, extreme weather, and rising temperatures. The 2023 flood at the 82V Elmsdale substation highlights the vulnerability of low-lying stations. Adaptation measures include flood risk assessments, site-specific planning, and resilience initiatives to improve operational flexibility.

Distribution System Distribution assets are highly exposed to windstorms, ice storms, wildfires, heat-driven loading, flooding, and coastal erosion. These hazards threaten overhead lines, padmount transformers, access roads, and switching...

AI summary The distribution system faces significant risks from natural hazards such as windstorms, ice storms, wildfires, and flooding. NS Power is addressing these through its Five-Year Reliability Plan, which includes vegetation management, infrastructure upgrades, and flood-proofing measures.

5.2. Five-Year Reliability Plan The Five-Year Reliability Plan, filed with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in December 2024, represents a significant investment of $1.3 billion aimed at enhancing the resilience and reliability of...

AI summary NS Power's Five-Year Reliability Plan, filed in December 2024, includes a $1.3 billion investment to enhance grid resilience and reliability. The plan links reliability improvements with climate adaptation strategies, focusing on storm hardening, equipment upgrades, and grid modernization to reduce outages and meet service restoration standards.

5.3 Wildfire Mitigation Plan As part of NS Power's comprehensive climate adaptation plan, the Wildfire Mitigation Plan plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of the Company's electrical infrastructure against the increasing threa...

AI summary NS Power's Wildfire Mitigation Plan is a key component of its climate adaptation strategy, aimed at strengthening the resilience of its electrical infrastructure against wildfires. Activities include vegetation management, satellite assessments, and collaboration with wildfire management agencies.

Adaptation in Practice Example / Initiative Why It Matters Hurricane Fiona Flood Response at Trenton Trenton Unit 6 was proactively removed from service ahead of projected storm surge flooding. Critical equipment was de energized and tempo...

AI summary The document highlights various adaptation initiatives by Nova Scotia Power, including flood response measures, coastal flood modeling, stormwater improvements, cooling water monitoring, and biofouling management programs, all aimed at enhancing resilience to climate change impacts.

Future Adaptation Priorities Over the next planning cycle, adaptation efforts will continue to focus on improving thermal system resilience through enhanced climate-informed planning and operational decisionmaking. Key priorities include:

AI summary Future adaptation efforts will focus on improving thermal system resilience through enhanced climate-informed planning and operational decisionmaking as part of the next planning cycle.

Priority Status Implement recommendations from site drainage and stormwater studies, including culvert upgrades, improved runoff diversion, and/or pumping system enhancements In Progress Evaluate and deploy long-term biofouling mitigation...

AI summary The document outlines several ongoing and planned initiatives related to climate resilience and infrastructure improvements, including drainage and stormwater management, biofouling mitigation, coastal flood protection, wastewater systems, and cooling water temperature monitoring. These efforts aim to address challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events.

Climate Risk and Impact Transmission assets are exposed to high winds, ice storms, vegetation interaction, thermal loading, wildfire, and coastal impacts. These climate-related hazards can affect conductors, structures, rights-of-way, and...

AI summary Climate-related hazards such as high winds, ice storms, vegetation interaction, thermal loading, wildfire, and coastal impacts pose risks to transmission assets. Adaptation planning aims to strengthen infrastructure design, improve monitoring, and reduce outage frequency and restoration time.

The purpose of the NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan is to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electrical infrastructure in Nova Scotia and to protect public safety. It aims to ensure the reliability of electricity services by impleme...

AI summary NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan aims to reduce wildfire risks from electrical infrastructure, enhance public safety, and ensure system reliability through vegetation management, equipment upgrades, and operational improvements. The plan covers transmission lines, distribution lines, substations, and vegetation management areas.

The main objectives within the Wildfire Mitigation Plan for NS Power are summarized below. Risk Assessment & Mapping Identify and prioritize high-risk areas for wildfires Situational Awareness Maintain real-time awareness of conditions tha...

AI summary The Wildfire Mitigation Plan for NS Power outlines objectives such as risk assessment, situational awareness, infrastructure inspection, vegetation management, and emergency response to mitigate wildfire risks and ensure safety and service reliability.

The long-term vision of a wildfire mitigation plan for NS Power is to create a resilient and sustainable electrical grid that can withstand and adapt to wildfire risks. This vision includes: - 1. Enhanced Safety: Achieving a continued low...

AI summary NS Power outlines a long-term vision for wildfire mitigation, focusing on enhancing grid safety, reliability, and sustainability through advanced technologies, community partnerships, and continuous improvement. The plan aims to reduce wildfire risks caused by electrical infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity supply during high-risk conditions.

The main elements within NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan are summarized below and are expanded upon in the following sections of the plan. Risk Assessment & Mapping Identify and prioritize high-risk areas for wildfires Situational Awar...

AI summary NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan includes risk assessment, situational awareness, inspection programs, infrastructure strengthening, vegetation management, operational adjustments, emergency response, and continuous improvement. Climate change is increasing wildfire severity, and examples like PG&E's bankruptcy highlight the importance of proactive wildfire prevention and mitigation for utilities.

3.2 Tracking and Analysis of Wildfires and Near-Miss Ignitions The purpose of this practice is to track ignitions and potential ignitions and perform root cause analysis to detect and understand patterns or correlations. The resulting data...

AI summary This section outlines the process of tracking and analyzing wildfires and near-miss ignitions, focusing on root cause analysis and data collection. NS Power receives wildfire data from NS NRR and uses its Outage Management System to track and categorize outage events, including those related to wildfires.

3.3 Ignition Tracking and Documentation NS Power's mitigation plan includes maintaining a structured and documented process to identify, record, assess, and analyze confirmed utility caused ignitions, suspected utility caused ignitions, an...

AI summary NS Power's mitigation plan includes a structured process for documenting and analyzing utility-caused ignitions and near misses. The process supports root cause analysis, identifies trends, and informs wildfire mitigation strategies. Data is reviewed by committees to guide vegetation management and risk-informed decision making.

Detailed inspections of electric lines and equipment Careful inspections of overhead electric lines and equipment where individual assets are examined visually and through use of routine diagnostic tests. For distribution circuits, deficie...

AI summary The text discusses detailed inspections of electric lines and equipment for both distribution and transmission systems. It outlines the types of equipment inspected, the purpose of these inspections (to identify potential failures and wildfire risks), and the documentation processes involved.

6.0 Wildfire Risk Reduction Components in poor condition are at higher risk of unplanned failure and should be prioritized for replacement or upgrade. Investment in maintaining or upgrading overhead lines will reduce the potential for tran...

AI summary The text discusses measures taken by NS Power to reduce wildfire risk, including upgrading infrastructure, vegetation management, and using technology for monitoring and inspection. These efforts aim to make the power system more resilient to climate change and prevent equipment failure that could cause wildfires.

Pole hardening and replacement program based on pole loading assessment program Actions are taken to remediate, adjust, or install replacement poles that the utility has identified as failing to meet modern requirements in accordance with...

AI summary The document outlines a pole hardening and replacement program based on NS Power's pole loading assessment program. Actions include remediation, adjustment, or replacement of poles that do not meet modern standards. Updated design standards for 69 kV transmission poles and periodic reviews for distribution construction are also mentioned.

Replacement of wooden poles NS Power targets replacement of wood poles that have deteriorated and/or pose a risk as an ignition source if they are subject to weather conditions that exceed their operating design standards. Poles in high-ri...

AI summary NS Power plans to replace deteriorated wooden poles, especially in high-risk locations, with more fire-resistant materials like steel, concrete, or composite materials. The decision is based on safety concerns related to fire risks under extreme weather conditions. Alternative materials are more expensive but are considered for replacements where necessary.

Circuit Breaker replacement Replacing aging substation infrastructure such as obsolete 138kV and 69kV substation circuit breakers, electro-mechanical relays, and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) ensures NS Power's protection and control equipm...

AI summary Replacing aging substation infrastructure, including 138kV and 69kV circuit breakers and RTUs, ensures effective protection and control systems for NS Power, reducing wildfire risks from incorrect or delayed fault clearing.

Vegetation inventory system In 2025 and 2026 NS Power is advancing a project to further enhance its existing vegetation inventory system, and this initiative will integrate and leverage new and existing vegetation management data for enhan...

AI summary In 2025 and 2026, NS Power is enhancing its vegetation inventory system by integrating new and existing vegetation management data to improve risk-based decision-making on the transmission and distribution system. This includes using satellite imagery analysis and integrating condition data into BI tools like Tableau.