Topic:"Performance Monitoring" in M12249

1.6 PROGRAM CONTINUITY - Consistent with the concept of an extension to the existing Board approved DSM Plan, there are no new - programs contemplated under the 2026 DSM Extension. The three residential energy efficiency programs - categor...

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension continues existing programs without new initiatives, maintaining residential and BNI energy efficiency categories, retiring some components like New Home Construction, and retaining demand response programs. E1 monitors and adjusts programs as needed.

1. INTRODUCTION On March 26, 2025, the Nova Scotia government passed legislation to extend EfficiencyOne's (E1) current approved 2023-2025 DSM Plan by an additional year with a prescribed investment level of $63,750,000 for the 2026 one-ye...

AI summary The Nova Scotia government passed legislation extending E1's 2023-2025 DSM Plan by one year to 2026 with a prescribed investment of $63.75 million. The extension includes targets for energy savings, demand savings, and demand response capacity, and requires E1 to submit these targets for approval. The 2026 DSM Extension passes the Total Resource Cost test for cost effectiveness.

2.2 2023-2025 DSM RESOURCE PLAN - E1 developed the 2023-2025 Plan based on a full resource modelling approach with a comprehensive - stakeholder engagement process. On November 8, 2022, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board - (NSUARB) a...

AI summary E1's 2023-2025 DSM Resource Plan, approved by NSUARB with $173M investment, includes performance targets and programs. The plan covers energy efficiency and demand response initiatives, with progress made in 2023-2024.

2.2.1 2023 AND 2024 PLAN RESULTS Table 1, below, provides E1's evaluated results for 2023 and 2024 as compared to the approved 2023-2025 Plan. E1's 2023 and 2024 annual impact evaluations provide up-to-date impacts on the net electrical en...

AI summary This section presents the 2023 and 2024 plan results, comparing E1's evaluated outcomes to the approved 2023-2025 Plan. It highlights progress indicators such as net electrical energy and net system peak-demand savings, as well as available capacity, to assess performance against the approved targets.

2023 and 2024 results reflect evaluated savings results and expenditure amounts as per E1's 2023 and 2024 Annual Progress Reports. 2023 results have been approved by the NSUARB's verification consultant. 2024 results are pending verificati...

AI summary E1 has achieved 74% of its energy savings target and 74% of its peak demand savings target by 2024, with strong performance in both 2023 and 2024. The Residential and BNI sectors contributed significantly to these results. The 2023 results have been verified, while the 2024 results are pending verification.

2.5 MODELLING APPROACH - For the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 utilized the same modelling process and software tools as in the approved - 2023-2025 Plan. Modelling supports quantitative development by providing the following: - detailed cost eff...

AI summary E1 used the same modelling approach and software tools as in the approved 2023-2025 Plan for the 2026 DSM Extension. The modelling supports quantitative analysis through cost-effectiveness impacts, energy/demand impacts, DSM participation estimations, and investment projections.

6 8.1 PERFORMANCE TARGETS - 7 The currently approved 2023-2025 Plan has been extended to include 2026 as a fourth year as outlined in - 8 the recently amended PUA . Consequently, E1's Performance Targets for the 2023-2025 period would be -...

AI summary The 2023-2025 Demand-Side Management (DSM) Resource Plan has been extended to include 2026, as outlined in the amended Public Utilities Act (PUA). E1's Performance Targets for the 2023-2026 period include cumulative energy and peak demand savings, demand response capacity, and energy savings in low-income and equity programs. E1 is considered in compliance if it achieves 90% or more of each target.

8.2 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Performance indicators are a set of selected performance metrics used to indicate or monitor progress towards performance targets and DSM Plan implementation. E1 provides the status of the organization's annual p...

AI summary E1 proposes to extend the 2023-2025 DSM Plan to 2023-2026, using the same performance indicators. Amendments to the Supply Agreement are provided in Appendices C and D. Table 24 compares proposed and approved indicators for the 2023-2026 period.

Table 24: 2023-2026 Performance Indicators Approved 2023-2025 Performance Indicators 2026 2023-2026 • Annual incremental energy savings (reported by program and rate class) (GWh) ✓ ✓ • Cumulative annual energy savings (reported by program...

AI summary Table 24 outlines 2023-2026 performance indicators for energy savings, demand response, and customer satisfaction. Key metrics include annual and cumulative energy savings (GWh), system-peak demand savings (MW), ratepayer benefits, and low-income program impacts. The table emphasizes reporting by program, rate class, and equity considerations.

16 Table 1: Dedicated Low-Income and Equity Program Components Program Component Assumptions Calculation for 2026 DSM Extension Calculation for DSM Reporting Affordable Multi-Family Housing and Non-Profit Organizations (AMF) • Exclusively...

AI summary This section outlines dedicated low-income and equity program components, including Affordable Multi-Family Housing, Affordable Single-Family Housing, and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project. It details assumptions, savings calculations, and performance targets established by the NSUARB for the 2023-2025 Plan period.

7.6 MUNICIPAL RATE CLASS PARTICIPATION - Municipal customers within the NS Power model are Municipal account numbers that take - service under the Municipal tariff. The number of customers within the NS Power model - fluctuates from year-t...

AI summary The NS Power model's municipal customer count fluctuates yearly between 1 and 8. E1's RBIA model aggregates all municipal customers as one utility, adjusting participant numbers but facing uncertainty due to data volatility in the municipal rate class.

Non-FAM related Costs The non-FAM-related costs are allocated to rate classes using the following two-step process: - Annual class usages of energy and demand services are multiplied by benchmark $/MWh and $/MW unit costs, respectively - o...

AI summary Non-FAM-related costs are allocated to rate classes via a two-step process: multiplying annual energy/demand usages by benchmark unit costs (derived from recent rate cases for 'With DSM' and same-year data for 'No DSM' scenarios), then scaling class costs to align with revenue requirements per functional area.

12 The 2024 Payment Schedule will be revised to reflect the carryforward , if any, related to 13 underspend from the 2020-2022 DSM Plan. 1 2 SCHEDULE C 3 4 Performance Requirements 5 I. UARB/NSEB-APPROVED PERFORMANCE TARGETS, THRESHOLDS, A...

AI summary The 2024 Payment Schedule will be revised to account for any carryforward from underspend in the 2020-2022 DSM Plan. Performance targets and indicators are outlined, including energy savings, demand response capacity, and reporting requirements for the UARB/NSEB.

Goals Statement - Excellence in the integration of knowledge, method, and practice. - Improvement and learning at all levels. - Contextually sound measurement, analysis, and reporting. - Anticipate and meet the needs of our clients. - Awar...

AI summary The Goals Statement outlines priorities for a regulatory proceeding, emphasizing integration of knowledge and practice, continuous improvement, contextually sound analysis, client-centric service, ethical research, and innovation. Key themes include excellence in methodology, learning, and ethical responsibility.

VII. Savings Verification Approach The savings verification review was conducted as follows: - We focus on the "installed" annual energy savings and demand reductions. These are the annualized value of savings and demand reductions from th...

AI summary The savings verification process focuses on annualized energy savings from installed measures, not actual yearly savings. The review checked methodologies for interaction, free-ridership, and other approaches, and included 93 site visits for the 2024 program year.

other way to say this is that for most months the effect size (average kWh savings per household) is extremely small, and the number of observations is not large enough to detect it.[49](#page-57-0) The data quality rule used for use of th...

AI summary The analysis highlights challenges in evaluating energy savings from programs like ARet and SEM, noting extremely small effect sizes (average kWh savings per household) and data quality rules that undercount savings by assigning zero to most months. Yearly analysis using average daily savings appears to validate cumulative savings but relies on statistically insignificant daily savings. Large sample sizes can falsely inflate significance of trivial effects.

two large sites produced 364% of the total tracked energy savings for all compressed air audit measures in 2023, even though these programs were implemented at these same locations during that period. In 2024 savings associated with compre...

AI summary In 2023, two sites contributed 364% of total compressed air audit savings. In 2024, compressed air leak audits surpassed combined savings from motors, solar PV, and HVAC retrofits. The Pay-for-Performance program, added in 2023, saw 22 new participants in 2024, with savings delayed until 2025. Retrofit projects included refrigeration, motors, and HVAC, with limited building envelope savings.

N. Demand Response (DR) There are two demand response programs, Residential Demand Response and Business-Nonprofit-Institutional (BNI) Demand Response. Demand response concerns capacity (Watts, kW, MW, GW) rather than energy (kWh, GWh). Th...

AI summary Nova Scotia's Demand Response (DR) programs include Residential and BNI (Business-Nonprofit-Institutional) DR, focusing on capacity reduction rather than energy savings. Participants totaled 353 (residential) and 76 (BNI) in 2024. Events are triggered by Nova Scotia Power to reduce load during peak periods, with savings measured in watts/kW.

Table 10: Evaluation Questions - Summary Table. Asked and Answered for Program Year 2024 General Questions to Ask of Energy Efficiency Program Evaluations 1 Does the independent evaluator have control over methods and measurement approache...

AI summary Table 10 evaluates the energy efficiency program for 2024, focusing on the independence, transparency, and methodology of the evaluation process. It confirms that the evaluator has control over methods and measurement approaches, and that evaluation guidelines are used. However, some areas, like transparency in reporting significance tests, require improvement.

1 Request IR-01: 2 3 Please file the 2026 DSMAG Extension PowerPoint presentation from April 22, 2025. 4 5 Response IR-01: 6 7 Please refer to EfficiencyOne's response to part (b) of Synapse IR-04. Date Filed: June 25, 2025 E1 (IG) IR-01 P...

AI summary The document outlines three requests (IR-01 to IR-03) and responses related to EfficiencyOne's (E1) 2026 DSMAG Extension. Key issues include lower performance targets compared to the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, justification for higher investment with lower targets, and clarification on negative demand response benefit numbers. E1 confirms the understanding and refers to prior responses for detailed justifications.

3) Continue to Manage Program Expenditures E1 will continue to provide explanations for program spending variances compared to the DSM Plan that are greater than 25% in its Quarterly and Annual Progress Report. In the development of the DS...

AI summary E1 will continue managing program expenditures in line with the DSM Plan, providing explanations for variances exceeding 25% in its reports. Flexibility in reallocating funds between programs is emphasized to meet performance targets, while considering rate class spending and potential impacts on customer participation and future DSM Plan success.

(c) Please see part (b) of this IR response. 1 Request IR-22: 2 3 Reference: Appendix A, Attachment 3 – 2026 DSM Extension Energy Efficiency Technical 4 Tables. 5 6 Preamble: In Section 1.6 of EfficiencyOne 2026 DSM Extension Evidence, pag...

AI summary The text outlines a request for clarification and alignment of the 2026 DSM Extension Energy Efficiency Technical Tables with previous years' data, including the need for working Excel files, explanations of cost changes, and reconciliation of measure names.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL Energy Savings, Lifetime Energy Savings, Peak EE Demand Savings, Total Resource Cost Test (TRC), and Program Administrator Cost Test (PAC) for lightin...

AI summary The document provides responses to information requests from Synapse Energy Economics regarding energy savings, peak demand savings, and cost tests for lighting measures in various programs. It includes data for 2023, 2024, and 2025 forecasts.

6 Table 2: 2026 DSM Extension - Enabling Strategies - Regulatory Affairs, 2023 & 2024 Actual and 2025 Forecast EfficiencyOne 2023-2025 DSM Plan Enabling Strategies - Regulatory Affairs Activities 2023 Actual 2024 Actual 2025 Forecast DSM P...

AI summary The document provides a summary of EfficiencyOne's (E1) 2026 DSM Extension, including regulatory costs and performance targets. It outlines E1's progress towards meeting its 2023-2026 Performance Targets and confirms that E1 is on track to achieve the compliance threshold of 90% or greater for all four targets.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL - Email: including acquisition/enrollment targeted emails, existing participant 2 'warming' during off-season period, in-season communications to incr...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) outlines strategies for customer engagement in demand-side management (DSM), including targeted emails, personalized portal messaging, and dealership promotions for EVs. E1 uses AMI data and demographics for customer segmentation and implemented a consolidated Quality Assurance framework in Q4 2024, involving audits and customer surveys. The text references M12249, E1's 2026 DSM Extension application.

Smart Synergy Business Non-Profit and Institutional (BNI) Demand Response) - Marketing and Outreach: The Smart Synergy audience is BNI customers across key verticals in - 4 Nova Scotia. Marketing and outreach are primarily 1-to-1 focused s...

AI summary The Smart Synergy BNI Demand Response program targets Nova Scotia's BNI customers, using AMI data and 1-to-1 outreach to identify demand savings opportunities. Key activities include education, site visits, test events, and post-event feedback collection. Quality assurance involves validating reports and customer insights to refine the program.

EfficiencyOne (E1) Responses to Industrial Group (IG) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL Request IR-04: Reference: E-2 Verification Report, page 64. The current methodology provides a picture and location of a leak, using a method of le...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) responds to Industrial Group (IG) queries about its methodology for compressed air leakage evaluation, citing the Uniform Methods Project (UMP) and a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report. E1 acknowledges UMP limitations but defends its approach. The IG also questions whether the 2024 program will continue unchanged in the 2026 DSM extension.

Below is the printout of the results of this test for the high users (wave 1), medium users (wave 2) and low users (wave 3). The test provides multiple results, but, for the purpose of our analysis, the Evaluator analyzed the p-values high...

AI summary The analysis examines participation levels in energy efficiency programs (GH, HEA, EPI) using p-values from a two-tailed test with a 10% significance level. Statistically significant differences were found for GH and EPI, but not for HEA, indicating varying effectiveness across programs.

2 3 Reference: 2024 Savings Verification, Table 7, and below (p. 46-47): 4 5 "The three claims include for Green Heat (2 analyses out of 3), although the magnitude of each is 6 only 0.1% (a participation difference of one-tenth of one perc...

AI summary The text discusses the evaluation of participation rates in the Green Heat and Efficient Products Installation (EPI) programs, highlighting small differences (0.1% and 0.4%) between control and treatment groups. It questions whether these seemingly minor increases (33%, 25%, and 50%) in participation rates are considered 'practical importance' by the authors.

- Refer to M12249, Exhibit E-2, Savings Verification Review of Program Year 2024 Evaluation - Results, Report for the Nova Scotia Energy Board (2024 Peach Report), June 4, 2025, authored by - H. Gil Peach & Associates, (Peach). Section IX....

AI summary The Savings Verification Review (SVR24-G-1) recommends accepting 2024 evaluation estimates for energy savings and demand reduction, except for four programs. These include the Residential Behavior Program and three Demand Response programs, which are noted for not producing practical energy savings or demand reduction. The report highlights a limitation in evaluation protocols regarding very large sample sizes and the need for practical significance over statistical significance.

Paired Samples 9 Statistics Mean N Std. Devia ition Std. Er ror Mean ir 1 V1 44952.9043 30758 108.56 204 .61901 V2 11923.6974 30758 13877.49 449 7 79.12833 Paired Sar nples Cor relations S ignificance N Correlation One-Side dp Two-Si ded p...

AI summary The document references a request for clarification regarding 'savings at the generator' in the context of Instant Savings (IS) program findings and asks for an explanation of the difference between savings at the generator and savings on a customer's bill. It also requests an explanation of the fifth bullet point regarding the discrepancy between evaluated savings and those tracked by Efficiency Nova Scotia.

1 Request IR-01: - 2 Please provide a copy of the scope of work for which Gil Peach & Associates LLC ("Verifier") was - 3 retained in relation to its preparation of the 2024 Verification Report.

AI summary Request IR-01 seeks the scope of work for Gil Peach & Associates LLC as Verifier for the 2024 Verification Report.

Response IR3 c: - Modifications in the Evaluation data, methods, and reported results fits in the "Verify Savings & - Review" centre of focus in the DSM cycle since the verification consultant is directed to " Review - all methods and calc...

AI summary The response emphasizes that modifications to evaluation data, methods, and results fall under the 'Verify Savings & Review' phase of the DSM cycle. It outlines a process of checking data, methods, and results to ensure accuracy, involving Efficiency Nova Scotia and NSEB. Collaboration with the evaluation consultant and stakeholder input improve DSM processes and outcomes.

1 Request IR-03 d: - 2 Please explain why "[suggested] modifications….in 'future [i]mplementation' " falls under the - 3 Verify Savings & Review centre of focus in the DSM cycle.

AI summary The request seeks clarification on why proposed modifications to 'future implementation' fall under the 'Verify Savings & Review' phase of the DSM cycle. It emphasizes the need to align changes with the program's verification and review processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Response IR-14: - The verification team specifically requested an on-site verification effort be conducted at the - site, at the original request for site visits this explicit request was bolded to - highlight it as the highest priority. T...

AI summary The verification team requested an on-site visit, which was denied by the Customer as they had already accommodated a prior site visit. E1 used tracking sheet data and evaluator reports to calculate total system savings.

EDUCATION Boston University , Boston, MA Master of Arts in Energy and Environmental Analysis, Spring 2007. Graduate course work in multivariate statistical analysis, environmental economics, risk assessment, energy, GIS, climate change, an...

AI summary The document details a Master of Arts in Energy and Environmental Analysis from Boston University (2007), with coursework in environmental economics, energy policy, climate change, GIS, and risk assessment, highlighting academic expertise relevant to energy and environmental regulation.

Program Management and Benefit Cost Analysis Expert Public Service Enterprise Group (PSE&G) – New Jersey. (Oct 2021 – Apr 2023, Feb 2024 - present) - Consulted on tracking, forecasting and management of PSE&G's internally run commercial En...

AI summary The expert provided program management and benefit-cost analysis services for PSE&G's energy efficiency programs in New Jersey, including tracking system development, economic test calculations, and training material creation. Work spanned 2021–2023 and 2024, involving collaboration with ANB Enterprises and implementation across seven utilities.

2.6 BENCHMARKING STUDY

AI summary The document section titled '2.6 BENCHMARKING STUDY' outlines a regulatory proceeding involving a benchmarking study. Key entities include Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSP) and the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB), with acronyms such as BCA and TRC referenced. The study likely evaluates efficiency metrics and resource costs.

Synapse Synapse states: …I also recommend that NSEB direct E1 to conduct its own benchmarking study to inform the development of its cost-effective demand response offering for its 2027-2031 DSM Plan and to leverage Efficiency Canada's for...

AI summary Synapse recommends that the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) direct EfficiencyOne (E1) to conduct a benchmarking study for its 2027-2031 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan, leveraging Efficiency Canada's upcoming research to inform cost-effective demand response strategies.

E1 Response E1 acknowledges that conducting a benchmarking study could provide useful information for developing its demand response offerings. Although benchmarking studies are helpful in DSM planning, E1 cautions that benchmarking studie...

AI summary E1 acknowledges the value of benchmarking studies for DSM planning but cautions that jurisdictional differences may limit their applicability. They argue there is insufficient time to conduct a separate study if the Efficiency Canada benchmarking study is not released promptly. E1 commits to using Efficiency Canada's findings if available and to conducting a jurisdictional scan and literature reviews for the 2027-2031 DSM Plan.

3. Effect Size The Peach Report states as follows in relation to effect size at the household level:[14](#page-25-1) Due to the effect size at the household level, a savings claim for the program does not make sense. Similarly, unless NSP...

AI summary The Peach Report argues that savings claims for the program at both household and system levels lack validity due to effect size, noting a 6.27 GWh system-level effect. It states such claims are invalid unless NSP demonstrates otherwise.

- In energy behaviour programs, the primary goal is to achieve energy savings at the population level, through the change of individual behaviours. Unlike behavioural interventions in health care, where the focus is often on improving indi...

AI summary Energy behaviour programs aim to reduce population-level energy consumption through behavioral changes, differing from healthcare interventions that focus on individual outcomes. Causal mechanisms in energy efficiency have been studied for 20 years, with interventions like Home Energy Reports demonstrating effectiveness through observed outcomes, even without full understanding of individual behavior pathways.

1. Protocol Issue The Peach Report states as follows in relation to the measurement & verification (M&V) protocol for compressed air leak projects: [31](#page-40-0) […] The Uniform Methods Protocol, provided by the U.S. Department of Energ...

AI summary The Peach Report discusses the M&V protocol for compressed air leak projects, noting that ultrasonic leak detectors are ineffective for quantifying leakage rates due to their reliance on sound correlation rather than direct measurement. The protocol recommends standardized leak-down tests before and after repairs for accurate measurement.

le. Of those jurisdictions, none require that leak-down tests be performed by participants to support savings. A more detailed breakdown of M&V requirements for these jurisdictions is presented below. - › Three jurisdictions[32](#page-42-0...

AI summary The text outlines varying approaches to measurement and verification (M&V) requirements for compressed air leak projects across jurisdictions. Three use ultrasonic devices, three use a leak orifice diameter-to-leak rate table, and one requires SEM program compliance with IPMVP Option C for full-facility data.

2. Chain of Events The Peach Report states as follows in relation to the chain of events surrounding the two compressed air leak projects being discussed: [37](#page-43-0) The result of this methodology produces estimates that are unverifi...

AI summary The Peach Report criticizes the methodology for compressed air leak projects, arguing that it produces unverifiable estimates. The approach uses a non-UMP protocol-compliant device to assess leaks, leading to no records of leaks post-repair and inability to verify repair effectiveness.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION by EFFICIENCYONE for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension for Demand-Side Management Activities between EfficiencyOne and Nova Scotia Power Inc., and for Appro...

AI summary EfficiencyOne seeks approval for a 2026 DSM Extension and amendment to its 2023-2025 DSM Purchase Agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. The Board approves the performance targets, amendments, and directs the development of a five-year DSM Plan (2027-2031).

5.10.1 Findings [89] Since the Board did not approve E1's proposed benefit-cost analysis test in its recent decision and directed E1 to use the PAC test (2025 NSEB 18), the Board finds it is appropriate to limit the requested reporting to...

AI summary The Board directed E1 to use the PAC test for cost-effectiveness analysis instead of its proposed method, citing prior decisions (2025 NSEB 18). E1 must report PAC results for 2023–2025 and future years in annual progress reports. Additional reporting may be required if PAC data fails to assess cost-effectiveness trends or administrator performance.

6.0 CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY OF BOARD FINDINGS [90] The Board approves E1's proposed performance targets for the 2026 DSM year and the amendments to its 2023-2025 DSM Supply Agreement with NS Power to incorporate the legislative changes and...

AI summary The Board approves E1's 2026 DSM performance targets and amends its DSM Supply Agreement with NSP. E1 must address concerns in its programs, engage with DSMAG, and report PAC results. An Order will be issued.

ORDER EfficiencyOne (E1) applied to the Nova Scotia Energy Board on April 30, 2025, for approval of amendments to the Board-approved 2023-2025 DSM Agreement necessary to incorporate legislative changes to the Public Utilities Act directing...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) requested amendments to its 2023-2025 DSM Agreement to extend it to 2026 with a plan cost of $63.75 million. The Board approved the amendments and performance targets for 2026, while directing E1 to address concerns regarding its demand response programs and include cybersecurity-related impacts and PAC test results in its reports.

Request IR-8: Page 14 of 25 of E1's Evidence states: The modelling therefore focuses on accounting for the 2023 and 2024 actual results under the 2023- 2025 DSM Plan, as well as the 2025 forecast, to ensure the 2026 DSM Extension targets a...

AI summary The text discusses the 2023-2025 DSM Plan's actual results and 2025 forecasts, noting that 2023-2024 targets were exceeded with expenditures at 64% of the 3-year funding. The request seeks an explanation of how the 2026 DSM Extension targets were determined based on these data.

Request IR-9: On page 13 of 25 of E1's Evidence, in the section titled Economic Uncertainty, E1 stated: While the exact impacts of these trade policies cannot be fully assessed at this time, any economic hardship for Nova Scotians and Nova...

AI summary E1 acknowledges economic uncertainty may affect Nova Scotian participation in its programs, potentially impacting 2025 and 2026 targets. No adjustments to 2026 targets have been made, raising questions about whether prior over-achievement of 2023/2024 targets might be offset by future challenges.

Request IR-28: Page 45 of Appendix A states, "Investment in this category has been increased in 2026 as compared to 2023-2025 to support the development of the 2027-2031 DSM Resource Plan and initiation of an updated Potential Study to inf...

AI summary The document requests a breakdown of the proposed $3.0 million budget for the 2026 DSM Plan Extension and compares investment by activity to previous years. It also inquires whether E1 is at risk of not achieving its 2023-2026 Performance Targets, noting that as of 2024, E1 had achieved 74% of energy savings, 74% of peak demand savings, 45% of available capacity, and 55% of low-income and equity targets.

emand savings target; • 45% of the available capacity target; and • 55% of the low-income and equity target." Is E1 currently at risk of not achieving any of the 2023-2026 Performance Targets? If so, which one(s)? For each one, please expl...

AI summary The document requests information on E1's risk of missing 2023-2026 performance targets, focusing on low-income and equity metrics. It references tables detailing 2024 Residential Behavior program participation (14.9% energy savings, 0% demand savings) and asks for 2023 vs. 2024 actuals by program component.

Refer to M12249, Exhibit E-2, Savings Verification Review of Program Year 2024 Evaluation Results, Report for the Nova Scotia Energy Board (2024 Peach Report), June 4, 2025, authored by H. Gil Peach & Associates, (Peach). Section IX. Gener...

AI summary The Savings Verification Review of Program Year 2024 highlights that four programs—Residential Behavior, Residential Demand Response, BNI Demand Response, and the compressed air part of the BNI Custom Incentive Program—were not found to deliver significant practical energy savings or demand reduction, despite passing statistical significance tests. The report recommends that these programs be flagged for lack of practical value.

Request IR-4: Refer to M12249, Exhibit E-2, 2024 Peach Report, Section X, Individual Program Component Review, subsection B. Instant Savings (IS), pages 21-22, under Evaluator Findings which includes the following 5 bullets, at page 22: Ev...

AI summary Request IR-4 challenges the Peach Report's evaluation of Instant Savings (IS) program results, highlighting discrepancies in savings definitions and metrics. Key issues include unclear 'savings at the generator' terminology, 77% and 45% overachievement of 2024 energy/peak demand targets, and 16% higher evaluator-tracked savings compared to Efficiency Nova Scotia's data. Requests clarification on terminology and recommendations to improve DSM plan cost-benefit.

Request IR-11: - Reference: page 54 of the 2024 Verification Report (Section I. Residential Behavioral Program - (Efficiency Insights): Currently, behavioural RCTs, of which the current program is an example, are black boxes. There is no c...

AI summary The text critiques current behavioral RCTs in energy programs as 'black boxes' due to lack of coherent mechanisms or energy-saving specifications. It references Cartwright and Hardie's more robust approach and requests examples of jurisdictions using this method. The proceeding relates to E1's 2026 DSM extension application (M12249).

Request IR-12: - 2 Reference: page 64-65 of the 2024 Verification Report (Section X.-K., Evaluation Issue 3-a), the - 3 following was stated: "Observations of total claimed savings for the two locations showed that the cumulative annual cl...

AI summary The Verifier's findings indicate that two facilities' compressed air systems had unusually high leakage rates, with savings claims being a substantial portion of total energy demand. The request seeks data sources, calculations, comparisons to similar facilities, and methodological explanations for these conclusions.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION by EFFICIENCYONE for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension for Demand-Side Management Activities between EfficiencyOne and Nova Scotia Power Inc., and for Appro...

AI summary EfficiencyOne applied for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension and amendment to its 2023-2025 DSM Purchase Agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. The Board approved the performance targets, amendments, and directed development of a 2027-2031 DSM Plan.

4.4 Synapse [37] Synapse stated that the 2026 DSM extension of energy efficiency initiatives remains cost-effective at the portfolio level. It stated: "The first-year cost of saved energy falls in the middle of the Canadian and leading U.S...

AI summary Synapse supports approving the 2026 DSM Extension's energy efficiency and demand response components but recommends specific conditions for the 2027-2031 plan, including a PAC test value ≥1.0, independent benchmarking studies, targeting constrained areas, and incorporating avoided transmission costs. It also urges E1 to leverage Efficiency Canada's research.

5.9 Performance Requirements [81] For the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 proposes to use the same definitions of performance metrics, targets, performance indicators, and thresholds as in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. E1 proposes that its performan...

AI summary E1 proposes extending DSM performance metrics from 2023-2025 to 2026, including targets like 528.7 GWh energy savings, 97.7 MW peak demand reduction, and 16.3 MW winter demand response. E1 also seeks to include low-income programs and estimates a $236.8M investment over four years.

5.10.1 Findings [89] Since the Board did not approve E1's proposed benefit-cost analysis test in its recent decision and directed E1 to use the PAC test (2025 NSEB 18), the Board finds it is appropriate to limit the requested reporting to...

AI summary The Board directed E1 to use the PAC test for cost-effectiveness analysis instead of its proposed method, requiring PAC test results for 2023-2025 and future annual reports. This avoids consultant costs and ensures sufficient data for evaluating program administrator performance.

6.0 CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY OF BOARD FINDINGS [90] The Board approves E1's proposed performance targets for the 2026 DSM year and the amendments to its 2023-2025 DSM Supply Agreement with NS Power to incorporate the legislative changes and...

AI summary The Board approves E1's 2026 DSM performance targets and amends its agreement with NS Power. Directives include engaging with DSMAG, addressing program concerns, including PAC test results, and handling cybersecurity impacts. E1 must address demand response program concerns and revise mid-course adjustment processes in its upcoming DSM Plan.

ORDER EfficiencyOne (E1) applied to the Nova Scotia Energy Board on April 30, 2025, for approval of amendments to the Board-approved 2023-2025 DSM Agreement necessary to incorporate legislative changes to the Public Utilities Act directing...

AI summary EfficiencyOne applied to the Nova Scotia Energy Board for approval of amendments to its 2023-2025 DSM Agreement to extend it to 2026 with a plan cost of $63,750,000. The Board approved the amendments and performance targets for 2026, and directed E1 to address concerns with its demand response programs and include specific reporting requirements in its upcoming DSM Plan application.