N-2NSPI (NSEB) RIR 1 to 5
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Hypothetical Future State The DERMS platform will consolidate DER information into a single operational environment which will be integrated with NS Power's existing operational technology systems, providing the grid-aware coordination lay...
AI summary The DERMS platform aims to integrate distributed energy resources (DER) into a unified operational environment, enhancing grid coordination and automation. It will improve battery fleet management by monitoring asset health, enabling automated readiness for dispatch, and supporting localized capacity allocation based on system needs.
1 platform, this will occur through the aggregator or program construct in which the customer 2 has voluntarily enrolled. 3 4 (d) An aggregator is an entity that coordinates multiple, customer-sited DERs so that their 5 collective capabili...
AI summary The text defines an aggregator as an entity that coordinates customer-sited DERs and serves as an interface between customers and utilities. It also mentions EfficiencyOne's demand response programming as an example of the aggregator model in Nova Scotia.
19 Asset Description Power / Energy Location / Related Substation Project Residential battery 134 batteries, 133 in Per Unit: 5 kW N/A Smart Grid storage customer homes and AC power, 13.5- Assets are Nova Scotia one for signal and 18 kWh e...
AI summary The document outlines residential and commercial battery storage systems, solar photovoltaic installations with smart inverters, and grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS) across various locations in Nova Scotia. These assets are part of a Smart Grid project, with some related to a specific proceeding (M09519). The DERMS solution supports integration with aggregator platforms, though specific platforms are not confirmed.
(f) The DERMS platform will be deployed within NS Power's enterprise and operational technology environment and operated from the DCC. There is no distributed field deployment of DERMS hardware associated with this project. The project sco...
AI summary The DERMS platform will be deployed within NS Power's existing environment and operated from the DCC. The project does not involve new field devices but requires integration of existing assets. No list of field deployment is provided.
Foreword In 2024, Nova Scotia Power (NS Power) was directed by the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) to lead the development of a Distributed Energy Resource Integration Roadmap (DERIR) in consultation with stakeholders. While NS Power has b...
AI summary In 2024, Nova Scotia Power (NS Power) was directed by the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) to develop a Distributed Energy Resource Integration Roadmap (DERIR) with stakeholder input. NS Power commissioned Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to provide research, engagement support, and strategic advice for the roadmap.
WHAT THE DERIR IS AND ISN'T The objectives of the DERIR are to: - • Articulate a holistic, coordinated, and common vision for planning, enabling, and integrating DERs in Nova Scotia; - • Identify and prioritize key strategies and initiativ...
AI summary The DERIR (Distributed Energy Resources Integration Roadmap) aims to provide a strategic, non-prescriptive framework for integrating DERs in Nova Scotia. It outlines a vision, key strategies, and sequencing of actions without specifying implementation details, approvals, or funding mechanisms. It serves as a coordination tool rather than a binding plan.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Although NS Power has led the development of the DERIR in response to NSEB direction, successful delivery of the roadmap will require action and coordination across a broader set of parties. These include Nova Sc...
AI summary The DERIR requires collaboration among multiple entities, including Nova Scotia Power, EfficiencyOne, and the Government of Nova Scotia, to ensure coordinated action. A strong governance model is essential for implementing the roadmap and assigning responsibilities.
UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS The roadmap reflects Dunsky's professional judgment, jurisdictional experience, stakeholder input, and the information available through the roadmap development process. The inclusion of an initiative in the DERIR sho...
AI summary The DERIR roadmap reflects Dunsky's professional judgment and stakeholder input, emphasizing adaptability as technologies and regulations evolve. It is not a commitment to implementation but a framework for coordinated progress on DER integration in Nova Scotia.
Acknowledgements This roadmap report was prepared by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors (Dunsky) for Nova Scotia Power (NS Power) in response to a directive from the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB). The roadmap was informed by input from sta...
AI summary The DERIR was prepared by Dunsky for NS Power at the request of the NSEB. It was informed by input from over 30 stakeholders across 14 organizations, including industry groups, academic institutions, and government bodies, to ensure diverse perspectives on DER integration in Nova Scotia.
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.
DER INTEGRATION ROADMAP Six core principles guided the DERIR development : DER integration should be beneficial, affordable, reliable, equitable, adaptable, and collaborative. Together, these principles support a vision in which DERs contr...
AI summary The DER Integration Roadmap outlines six core principles guiding the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) in Nova Scotia: beneficial, affordable, reliable, equitable, adaptable, and collaborative. The roadmap serves as a strategic planning framework to support a more affordable, reliable, and cleaner electricity system for all Nova Scotians.
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 first pillar of DER integration, emphasizing governance, stakeholder coordination, institutional capacity, valuation frameworks, forecasting, hosting capacity assessments, and future regulatory needs.
Pillar 2: Enabling DER Participation This pillar focuses on creating the conditions that allow customers and third parties to adopt and participate in DER programs. Priorities include customer engagement, equity considerations, enabling te...
AI summary Pillar 2 focuses on creating conditions for DER participation through customer engagement, equity, enabling technologies, demand response, time-varying rates, and future DER compensation and procurement frameworks.
Pillar 3: Integrating DERs This pillar focuses on the systems, processes, and grid investments required to manage increasing DER penetration. Priorities include DER management systems (DERMS), improved DER visibility and data management, m...
AI summary Pillar 3 focuses on integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) into Nova Scotia's electricity system through DER management systems, improved data management, modernized interconnection processes, and targeted grid investments. The roadmap outlines 12 strategies and 28 initiatives, with some already underway and others needing future planning and regulatory guidance.
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).
Why DERs? Nova Scotia's electricity system is facing an evolving energy landscape shaped by three key trends: Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are recognized as key enablers of decarbonization goals, system flexibility, and load managem...
AI summary Nova Scotia's electricity system is adapting to trends driven by Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), which enable decarbonization and grid flexibility but also introduce operational challenges. Coordinated DER deployment is essential for grid security, affordability, and reliability, while interoperability gaps and fragmented regulations complicate integration.
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.
Approach DERIR development involved four stages [(Figure 2)](#page-28-0), with three rounds of stakeholder engagement woven throughout the process.
AI summary The development of the DERIR involved four stages, with stakeholder engagement integrated throughout the process in three rounds.
• STEP 1: OPTIONS IDENTIFICATION A jurisdictional scan of North American utilities' DER integration efforts was conducted. The scan compared Nova Scotia's efforts with other utilities, identified best practices, and mapped the range of opt...
AI summary A jurisdictional scan of North American utilities' DER integration efforts was conducted, comparing Nova Scotia's efforts with others and identifying best practices. The findings support decisions and are detailed in a supplementary document.
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.
Role of the DERIR The objectives of the DERIR are to: - • Articulate a holistic, coordinated and common vision to plan for, enable, and integrate DERs in Nova Scotia - • Identify and prioritize key strategies and initiatives - • Find broad...
AI summary The DERIR aims to create a coordinated vision for integrating distributed energy resources in Nova Scotia, identify key strategies, and align stakeholders on goals and initiatives. It builds on past efforts and considers current policy and regulatory direction.
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 (Distributed Energy Resources Integration Roadmap) is structured around three pillars: planning for DERs, enabling DER participation, and integrating DERs. These pillars aim to facilitate proactive DER integration, lower participation barriers, and ensure reliable and secure DER dispatch. A total of 12 strategies and 28 initiatives were prioritized based on stakeholder input and internal knowledge.
Each DERIR initiative is prioritized as FOUNDATIONAL , EVOLVING , or EMERGING : FOUNDATIONAL EVOLVING EMERGING Foundational initiatives, aligned to current priorities that can advance DER Integration efforts, with sufficient understanding...
AI summary The DERIR (Distributed Energy Resources Integration Roadmap) initiative categorizes efforts into FOUNDATIONAL, EVOLVING, and EMERGING based on their readiness and importance. FOUNDATIONAL initiatives are already implemented or ready to proceed, EVOLVING initiatives require further refinement, and EMERGING initiatives need more time and information to mature.
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.
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 successful DER integration. Clear governance, shared mandates, and regular communication are recommended to improve planning quality and align assumptions. This is especially important given upcoming planning milestones and regulatory decisions.
Qualitative Assessment / Rationale for Inclusion Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ●●● HIGH Strong coordination between stakeholders will help enable DERIR roadmap implementation. Alignment on strategies, initiatives, roles, expe...
AI summary The document discusses the strategic fit, benefits, cost favourability, and risk management of establishing a governance model for DERIR implementation. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder coordination, alignment of roles and responsibilities, and the establishment of advisory groups to support DER integration.
Overview Capacity building refers to developing the skills, tools, processes, and institutional readiness for Nova Scotia to plan for and integrate DERs. It includes assessing current capabilities across a variety of functions, upskilling...
AI summary Capacity building for integrating DERs in Nova Scotia involves developing skills, tools, and institutional readiness. Stakeholders support this initiative but are concerned about resource requirements, costs, and funding. They also emphasize the need for early assessment and planning to avoid duplication and ensure progress.
Overview This strategy involves the examination of potential benefit-cost, optimization, and valuation frameworks, which can support DER investment and planning processes. These frameworks often define rules, methods, and inputs used by di...
AI summary The text discusses the need for clear and consistent definitions of costs and benefits in DER valuation to ensure alignment between NS Power, E1, and IESO-NS. It also highlights the importance of benefit-cost analysis frameworks in DER investment and planning, as well as the need for comprehensive approaches to capture the full value of DERs.
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.
Overview This strategy does not propose bypassing established legislative and regulatory processes. Instead, it recognizes that as the electricity system and DER landscape evolve, policy and regulatory frameworks in Nova Scotia may also ne...
AI summary This strategy emphasizes the need for regulatory adaptation to support DER innovation and flexible utility planning. Stakeholders stress the importance of regulatory oversight at all stages, express concerns about delays due to slow processes, and raise questions about alignment with ongoing NSEB proceedings and affordability considerations.
Roadmap Initiatives 2 2 1 Equipment Incentive Programs FOUNDATIONAL Targeted incentives encourage and enable DER technology adoption and transform consumer equipment purchases into grid assets. Many DER technologies cost more upfront than...
AI summary The document discusses initiatives aimed at promoting DER technology adoption through incentive programs. These programs reduce upfront and operating costs, enabling customers to choose equipment that supports a flexible grid. E1 currently offers various incentives and programs, including support for smart thermostats, heat pumps, and EV chargers, and participation in the Eco Shift DR program.
Qualitative Assessment of Demand Response Programs Criteria Assessment Rationale Description DER compensation frameworks describe mechanisms to determine how DER owners and operators are paid, or credited for the electricity they produce,...
AI summary The document discusses the current DER compensation frameworks and potential modernization strategies, including value-based compensation models. It references Nova Scotia's 2022 legislation to update net metering and provides examples from other jurisdictions like New York, Hawaii, and British Columbia.
Qualitative Assessment of Compensation Frameworks Criteria Assessment Rationale Strategic Fit ● LOW DER compensation frameworks involve a high degree of coordination. Adjustments to the existing compensation framework will require careful...
AI summary The document evaluates DER compensation frameworks based on strategic fit, benefits, cost favourability, and risk management. It notes that while modernized frameworks can provide clear price signals, adjustments require stakeholder collaboration and may involve additional program administration and IT costs.
Overview This strategy aims to assess how alternative procurement pathways may complement customer programs to accelerate DER uptake in Nova Scotia, help reduce the cost of resource acquisition, promote operational efficiency, and foster c...
AI summary The document discusses alternative procurement pathways for DERs in Nova Scotia, focusing on centralized procurement and utility ownership models. Stakeholders expressed concerns about transparency, alignment with provincial goals, and the necessity of centralized or utility-owned models. They emphasized the need for clearer articulation of purpose, safeguards, and market impacts.
Overview This strategy helps ensure DERs can be interconnected and operated in a way that preserves system security, protection, and reliability as DER penetration increases. It focuses on interconnection processes and modern technical sta...
AI summary This strategy ensures DERs can be interconnected and operated safely as their penetration increases. It focuses on interconnection processes and modern technical standards to ensure predictable behavior during normal and abnormal grid conditions. Initiatives include reviewing interconnection procedures and modernizing inverter and protection standards.
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 assesses the qualitative aspects of grid interconnection, emphasizing strategic fit, benefits, cost favorability, and risk management. It highlights the importance of standards development, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration to support DER integration and reliability. The interconnection process review is noted as an evolving initiative.
Implementation Planning This roadmap is a strategic and directional planning tool, not a detailed implementation plan. Clarity is needed regarding future DERIR leadership, implementation and accountability in Nova Scotia, including governa...
AI summary The document outlines a roadmap for DERIR implementation in Nova Scotia, emphasizing the need for clarity on leadership, governance, and accountability. It highlights key implementation considerations to guide future actions and resource allocation.
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.
Dunsky combined their experience and knowledge with a scan of peer and leading utilities' DER integration efforts to: - Compare NSPI's efforts to date to industry peers across North America and beyond - Map the breadth of options that NSPI...
AI summary Dunsky analyzed NSPI's DER integration efforts by comparing them to industry peers and identifying best practices from other utilities to develop a roadmap for NSPI.
- Capture case studies of DER integration journeys and innovative efforts by leading utilities Utility Jurisdiction Status\ Overview of DER integration efforts Nova Scotia Emerging Have made progress integrating DERs with several rates and...
AI summary The text presents a table of case studies on DER integration efforts by utilities across various jurisdictions, highlighting the status and initiatives of utilities in Nova Scotia, Vermont, Oregon, Manitoba, Maine, Ontario, Newfoundland, Quebec, New York, California, and Hawaii. Nova Scotia is in the emerging stage with pilot programs and DERMS testing.
Why are utilities engaging in DER integration efforts: - 1. What key industry trends are shaping utilities' DER integration strategies? - 2. What key barriers or enablers are influencing DER implementation? (e.g., interdepartmental coordin...
AI summary The text explores why utilities are engaging in DER integration efforts, focusing on key industry trends, barriers and enablers to DER implementation, and internal and external drivers influencing these actions, such as policy and regulations.
How are utilities responding: - 4. What initiatives are being employed to support DERs? (e.g., technologies, use cases, strategies that support the planning, enablement and integration of DERs) - 5. What enabling infrastructure are utiliti...
AI summary The text outlines questions posed to utilities regarding their initiatives, infrastructure, and strategies for supporting DER integration, as well as insights from regulatory proceedings related to 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.
Spotlight: Ontario Ontario has made progress in enabling and integrating DERs, including successful procurements for distribution-connected battery storage. However, the province continues to experience fragmented planning and operational...
AI summary Ontario has made progress in integrating DERs, such as battery storage, but faces challenges with fragmented planning and misaligned incentives between LDCs and the IESO. The IESO and OEB are working to address these issues through initiatives like the DSO model and clearer role definitions.
Planning Strategies - Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) : Evaluation of both supply and demand side resources, grid requirements and long-term requirements/action plans to meet grid needs - Distribution System Plans (DSPs) : Utility DSPs ty...
AI summary The text outlines planning and enabling strategies for integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) into the grid. It discusses Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), Distribution System Plans (DSPs), multi-stakeholder coordination, time-varying rates, demand response programs, competitive procurement, utility-owned DERs, and value-based compensation mechanisms for DERs.
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 outlines its Integrated Resource Plan, Distribution System Plan, and Transportation Electrification Plan, focusing on DER integration, grid modernization, and managing EV loads to meet growing electricity demand and GHG reduction targets.
Enabling Strategies - Rates: Time of day rate with an off-peak, mid-peak, and on-peak rate; net-metering for solar - Programs: Peak time rebate program is a behavioural DR program with an award of $1/kWh reduced; direct load control (DLC)...
AI summary The document outlines enabling strategies for energy management, including time-of-day rates, peak time rebate programs, direct load control, and procurement of distributed solar with storage. It also discusses co-deployment processes between PGE and Energy Trust Oregon to serve high energy burdened customers.
Spotlight: Highlights from Con Edison's Distributed System Implementation Plan Con Edison's Distributed System Implementation Plan is a comprehensive plan to achieve its future vision for its Distributed System Platform (that will forecast...
AI summary Con Edison's Distributed System Implementation Plan outlines strategies for integrating DERs, including deferring infrastructure through EE and energy storage, expanding data sharing, modernizing the grid with GIS and DERMS, and engaging stakeholders. These initiatives aim to support grid reliability, customer choice, and market participation.
Innovation - Planning Risks: Planning processes are adapting to account for risk and uncertainty associated with when, where, and how many DERs will show up on a utility system. This includes scenario analysis, flexible signpost-based stra...
AI summary The document discusses innovation in the context of DERs, highlighting planning, technology, and regulatory risks. It outlines mechanisms like innovation funds, regulatory sandboxes, and pilot frameworks to support the integration of DERs and foster innovation in the utility sector.
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.