Topic:"Renewable Energy" in M12854

OBJECTIVES The objectives of IESO Nova Scotia's first IRP are: - Develop a robust long-term electricity system plan that is reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective covering the next 20 to 30 years; - Evaluate the range of energy resource...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia's first IRP aims to create a 20-30 year reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective electricity plan, evaluate energy resources (including non-electric options like hybrid heating systems), identify near-term procurement needs, assess capital investments, and align with provincial sustainability and emissions reduction goals under the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act.

integration requirements - Import potential and pricing - Emerging technologies (SMR's, Hydrogen, geothermal, tidal) - Transmission and ancillary services - Distributed Energy Resources - Fuel supply As recommended in the Dunsky report, IE...

AI summary The document outlines integration requirements for emerging energy technologies and modeling approaches for Nova Scotia's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). It emphasizes stakeholder engagement, scenario development using Energy Exemplar's PLEXOS platform, and iterative analysis to inform resource planning and procurement strategies.

ASSESSMENT PERIOD For this IRP, IESO Nova Scotia is proposing a study period of 2029 – 2053. This 25-year period encompasses the implementation dates of several key Federal and Provincial policies that must be considered when developing a...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia proposes a 25-year assessment period (2029–2053) for the IRP to align with provincial and federal decarbonization targets, including 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and Canada's Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). The period accounts for resource lead times, the Reliability Intertie's in-service date, and long-term net-zero requirements.

KEY QUESTIONS In the NSEB's order for IESO Nova Scotia's Approval of its Proposed Expenditure and Revenue Requirement for the Test Year Ending March 31, 2026 (M12412), the following direction was provided for this IRP: "IESO Nova Scotia is...

AI summary The NSEB directed IESO Nova Scotia to address specific issues in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), including analyzing new resource costs, regional system approaches, and emissions-linked modeling. Three additional key questions focus on decarbonization targets, offshore wind opportunities, and Mersey Hydro redevelopment.

integration requirements - Import potential and pricing - Emerging technologies (SMR's, Hydrogen, geothermal, tidal) - Transmission and ancillary services - Distributed Energy Resources - Fuel supply As recommended in the Dunsky report, IE...

AI summary The document outlines integration requirements for emerging technologies (SMR, hydrogen, geothermal, tidal), transmission, and distributed energy resources. It references the Dunsky report's recommendations for scenario development, using PLEXOS modeling for IRP studies, with stakeholder feedback and potential scenario screening.

KEY QUESTIONS In the NSEB's order for IESO Nova Scotia's Approval of its Proposed Expenditure and Revenue Requirement for the Test Year Ending March 31, 2026 (M12412), the following direction was provided for this IRP: "IESO Nova Scotia is...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) directed IESO Nova Scotia to address specific issues in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), including cost analysis for new supply-side resources, regional system modeling, ELCC portfolio updates, demand response scenarios, and emissions linkage. Additional key questions focus on decarbonization targets, offshore wind opportunities, and Mersey Hydro redevelopment.

APRIL 17 STAKEHOLDER SESSION QUESTIONS Question/Comment Response Does NSP retain all REC (renewable energy certificates) for all new renewable energy projects? How do IPP (independent power producers) realize their the carbon reduction eff...

AI summary The stakeholder session question asks whether NSP retains all renewable energy certificates (RECs) from new renewable energy projects and how independent power producers (IPP) realize their carbon reduction efforts. The response indicates that the question is out of scope for the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process.

EAST COAST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW these categories or, at minimum, consider reductions to their weights in the evaluation process. Please describe how the 2026 IRP, which has a study period beginning in 2029 is going to "Confirm the resource ne...

AI summary The 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is designed to confirm the resource needs of the system to achieve the 2030 Provincial decarbonization targets, even though the study period begins in 2029. It will review planned additions such as battery capacity, fast acting generation, and wind and solar generation identified in previous IRP Results and Action Plans.

INDUSTRIAL GROUP Question/Comment Response The draft IRP scorecard proposes applying non-cost objectives—such as GHG reduction, economic growth, and energy security—at the resource plan level after capacity expansion and production cost mo...

AI summary The Industrial Group raises concerns about the IRP scorecard's approach to integrating non-cost objectives like GHG reduction and energy security. They suggest applying these factors at the facility level prior to modeling. The response highlights technical and scheduling challenges with modifying the current model setup. Energy security is emphasized as a critical factor given current geopolitical conditions.

NRSTOR Question/Comment Response NRStor recommends that system needs be defined by grid services and specified operability criteria, allowing for a diverse range of resources to be evaluated for both the capital and operational costs in me...

AI summary NRStor suggests defining system needs through grid services and operability criteria to evaluate diverse resources based on capital and operational costs. IESO Nova Scotia agrees but notes that modelling limitations or simplicity may require indirect representation of grid services, such as using synchronous condensers for local grid strength in reliability intertie modelling.

Further details on how distribution-level energy resources will be considered in the IRP will be reviewed during the Assumptions and Scenarios phase of the IRP. SNS would appreciate further clarity on how energy resources at the distributi...

AI summary SNS seeks clarity on how distribution-level energy resources will be integrated into the 2026 IRP and how they will interact with other processes. SNS recommends incorporating fuel cost sensitivities and differentiating between imported fuel costs and clean local electricity in the Draft IRP Score Card. IESO Nova Scotia notes that fuel transportation costs are already included in modeling. The Province's Clean Power plan aims to reduce reliance on imported fuels by 2030 through domestic renewable energy.

4. Hybrid Peak Net Zero Atlantic has published "Mitigating the Impact of Building Electrification on Peak Demand in Atlantic Canada" in August 2025, and NS Power states that a Hybrid Heating study is underway, in which Net Zero Atlantic wi...

AI summary NS Power is conducting a Hybrid Heating study, citing a 2025 Net Zero Atlantic report and a 2026 load forecast showing 48 MW peak mitigation. However, the math suggests limited non-electric heat reduction, conflicting with provincial electrification policies. The TWG is advised to evaluate this in the IRP.

Key Questions We support and are glad to see the NS IESO's stated intentions to confirm the resource needs of the system to achieve Nova Scotia's decarbonization targets and to determine the economic opportunity for domestic use of energy...

AI summary The text supports the NS IESO's efforts to identify resource needs for achieving Nova Scotia's decarbonization targets and assess the economic potential of offshore wind energy.

Technical Working Group With respect to the Technical Working Group ("TWG") Eastward notes that "The TWG shall retain the option to invite representatives from member and non-member organizations to participate and offer expert opinion whe...

AI summary Eastward emphasizes its expertise in non-electric energy resources and seeks TWG participation in the IRP to contribute to the integrated electricity system. The TWG retains authority to invite external experts on specific topics.

RE: Draft Terms of Reference for the 2026 Integrated Resource Plan Energy Storage Canada (ESC) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Terms of Reference for IESO Nova Scotia's 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). As t...

AI summary Energy Storage Canada (ESC) supports Nova Scotia's 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process, emphasizing energy storage's role in reliability, affordability, and decarbonization. ESC highlights storage's flexibility and resilience benefits as Nova Scotia transitions from coal and integrates renewables and nuclear imports. They offer technical expertise to refine modelling and resource evaluations.

Dear Registrar, Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) is the national association for tidal, offshore wind, wave, and river current energy, representing a membership of over 215+ technology and project developers, suppliers, utilities, Indigenous...

AI summary Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) criticizes the 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Terms of Reference for underestimating future electricity demand from industrial growth and electrification, arguing this risks inadequate long-term procurement signals for clean energy development.

Least-Cost Framework MRC notes that cost is weighted heavily in the evaluation framework, accounting for 70% of the assessment. While we recognize the importance of affordability, we encourage a broader interpretation of cost beyond simple...

AI summary MRC emphasizes that the Least-Cost Framework should consider system-level factors like ELCC and capacity factors, not just LCOE. Offshore wind's higher capacity factor reduces required generation capacity compared to onshore alternatives, while diversification lowers system costs by improving resilience and reducing fuel price risks. The 25-year NPV methodology is critical for capturing these benefits.

Conclusion As Nova Scotia advances its energy transition, it is essential that the IRP Terms of Reference provide a framework that reflects system-wide value, anticipates growing demand, and aligns with climate and economic objectives. A m...

AI summary The document emphasizes the need for the IRP Terms of Reference to reflect system-wide value, align with climate and economic goals, and enable investment in renewable energy, including marine renewables. MRC acknowledges the opportunity to engage in the IRP process.

• Assessment Period o IESO-NS is proposing a study period of 2029 – 2053. NRStor proposes that the start of the assessment period be 2028, to reflect some of the 2030 Clean Power Plan early actions and priorities including the timeline of...

AI summary IESO-NS proposes a 2029–2053 assessment period, while NRStor advocates starting in 2028 to align with the 2030 Clean Power Plan, including the Trenton generating plant closure. NRStor emphasizes energy storage's role in wind modeling and seeks analysis on offshore wind's domestic economic opportunities.

Diversity The current scorecard appears to evaluate generation options in isolation (in silos) . It is unclear how the IESO intends to use these individual scorecard results to inform a diversified long term resource strategy . For example...

AI summary The current scorecard evaluates generation options in isolation, raising concerns about how results will inform a diversified resource strategy. The text emphasizes the need for resource diversity (solar, wind, hydro, etc.) and recommends clarifying how scorecard outcomes translate into procurement decisions ensuring system reliability and resilience.

Scenario/sensitivity analysis should provide foundation for action plan and signposts The Draft TOR notes that the IRP "will strive for a reduced set of crisp, focused scenarios" (p. 5). The SBA agrees with the priority of focusing on a so...

AI summary The Draft TOR emphasizes a limited set of focused scenarios for the IRP, but the SBA stresses that scenarios must be sufficiently expansive to address key uncertainties, such as the Reliability Intertie's Phase 2, offshore wind development, and inter-provincial transmission from a recent MoU. These factors could significantly impact IRP outcomes and inform the action plan.

e management and transmission" (s. 9q), the roles and responsibilities for considering energy resources at the distribution-level in the 2026 IRP are currently unclear to SNS. (The final report in the Distributed Energy Resources Integrati...

AI summary The text highlights uncertainty around the 2026 IRP's treatment of distribution-level energy resources, noting NS Power deferred a DER potential assessment and SNS seeks clarity on DER integration. Dunsky's review criticized the IRP for overlooking DER value as non-wires alternatives, while referencing Ontario's evolving DER planning practices.