Topic:"Residential Behaviour" in M12249

7.1 PARTICIPATION COUNTS BY CLASS Participation estimates used in the RBIA model are different than participation estimates used in development of DSM plans, since the RBIA tracks participating accounts , rather than the number of products...

AI summary The document explains how the RBIA model calculates participation counts by distinguishing between annual and active participants, using de-duplicated account data across programs and years. It details three participant categories: tracked, untracked, and Residential Behaviour participants, with totals capped at the number of customers in each rate class.

IX. General Recommendations SVR24-G-1. The Savings Verification study recommends acceptance of the 2024 evaluation estimates for energy savings and demand reduction except for four programs . These are the Residential Behavior program (6.2...

AI summary The Savings Verification study recommends accepting 2024 energy savings estimates for most programs but excludes four due to evaluation issues. Key concerns include lack of independent evaluation for compressed air projects, insufficient practical significance of savings for residential and demand response programs, and protocol limitations. Recommendations include flagging low-impact programs, improving evaluation transparency, and emphasizing practical significance over statistical significance.

A. General Recommendations There are four general recommendations . SVR24-G-1. The Savings Verification study recommends acceptance of the 2024 evaluation estimates for energy savings and demand reduction except for four programs . These a...

AI summary Four recommendations address energy savings program evaluations. Four programs (Residential Behavior, Residential Demand Response, BNI Demand Response, and BNI Custom Incentive Program’s compressed air component) are rejected due to insufficient practical savings despite statistical significance. Evaluations must flag programs with trivial savings, ensure protocol compliance, and disclose statistical test details for transparency.

B. Program Specific Recommendations There are recommendations for only five of the program evaluations, Residential Behavior, BNI Efficient Product Rebates, the compressed air leak detection part of BNI Custom Incentives, and the two Deman...

AI summary Recommendations are provided for five programs: Residential Behavior, BNI Efficient Product Rebates, BNI Custom Incentives (compressed air leak detection), and two Demand Programs (Residential and BNI). Other programs lack evaluation issues. Key focus areas include program-specific evaluations and demand-side initiatives.

ing context. Similarly, from a customer perspective, there is some magnitude of energy savings, likely expressed in dollars or percentage bill reduction, that is too low to justify continuation of the - 1 program "as is". We are flagging t...

AI summary The text flags three programs (residential behavior and two Demand Response programs) due to insufficient energy savings to justify continuation as-is. It proposes discussing whether to cancel, improve, or maintain the programs based on their limited customer value.

Request IR-10: - 2 Reference: page 52 of the 2024 Verification Report: (Section I. Residential Behavioral Program - 3 (Efficiency Insights): Because significance and confidence are driven by number of cases and the cases are joined physica...

AI summary The document challenges the methodology used to determine that system-level energy savings of 6.27 GWh are not meaningful compared to Nova Scotia Power's (NSP) total system requirements of 11,326 GWh. It questions whether savings from small household-level reductions, without physical measures, have practical impact on power plant decisions.

RESIDENTIAL BEHAVIOUR PROGRAM

AI summary The document outlines the Residential Behaviour Program, focusing on initiatives to modify consumer energy usage patterns. Key entities include Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSP) and the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB). The program involves Demand Side Management (DSM) strategies and may reference regulatory analyses such as Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) and Total Resource Cost (TRC).

Reply Evidence The Savings Verification Review of Efficiency Nova Scotia Program Year 2024 Evaluation Results (the "Peach Report") authored by H. Gil Peach & Associates ("the Verifier") for the Nova Scotia Energy Board, and filed on June 5...

AI summary Econoler responds to the Peach Report's evaluation of the Residential Behavioural Program under the EfficiencyOne 2026 DSM Extension Application (M12249), addressing concerns about the program's effectiveness and long-term behavioral impacts.

Econoler Response: Econoler does not agree that due to the effect size at the household level, a savings claim for the program does not make sense. - Behaviour change initiatives are designed to make small, simple changes in how individual...

AI summary Econoler argues that residential behavior programs should claim energy savings if measurable, even with small per-household effects. The program achieved 6.270 GWh savings (0.34%-0.62% annual household consumption), consistent with other jurisdictions. Savings are comparable to E1's LED lamp program (0.113 kWh/day).

5. Verifier's Recommendations The Peach Report states the following general recommendation regarding the acceptance of 2024 evaluation results for four program components, including Residential Behaviour:[18](#page-28-0) SVR24-G-1. The Sav...

AI summary The Peach Report recommends accepting 2024 evaluation results for most programs but flags the Residential Behavior and two Demand Response programs. While protocols were followed, savings are statistically significant but lack practical value due to large sample sizes. The Evaluator should have highlighted this discrepancy.

5.3 Savings and Verification Report Recommended Disallowances [50] Dr. Gil Peach, Board Counsel's consultant, recommended that savings from the residential behavioural program, the residential and BNI demand response programs, and the comp...

AI summary Dr. Gil Peach recommends disallowing savings from residential behavioral, demand response, and compressed air programs due to insufficient independent evaluation. Econoler defends its methodology, arguing it balances accuracy and cost, and notes no other jurisdictions require the disputed test. Disagreement centers on evaluation protocols and reliability of reported savings.

5.3.1 Findings [59] The issues raised by Dr. Peach leading to his recommendation to disallow the claimed energy and demand savings in four programs are of concern to the Board. [60] Regarding the compressed air leak audits under the BNI Cu...

AI summary The Board addresses concerns raised by Dr. Peach regarding energy savings claims in four programs. Econoler's compressed air leak audits lacked UMP Protocol compliance, while the Residential Behaviour Program's lack of measurable savings raises credibility issues. The Board directs improved reporting, program evaluation, and considers discontinuing the Residential Behaviour Program. Demand response programs are acknowledged with retention of 2024 savings.

5.7 NS Power Cyber Attack [75] On August 21, 2025, E1 advised the Board that the cybersecurity incident at NS Power affected NS Power's ability to transfer customer consumption advanced metering infrastructure data to E1, resulting in the...

AI summary A cybersecurity incident at NS Power disrupted data transfer to E1, suspending E1's Residential Behaviour Program. E1 stated no material changes to 2026 programs are anticipated but committed to updates. The Board accepted E1's response but emphasized prompt issue identification.

b. Please explain why 2023 actuals are not included in the scaling factors for the Residential Behavior program component. c. For program components in which the actuals are not relatively consistent from 2023 to 2024, please discuss why E...

AI summary The NSUARB requests clarification on scaling factors for the Residential Behavior program, excluding 2023 actuals and using 2023-2024 averages. It also questions methodology for attributing low-income savings in DSM Reporting, focusing on Business Energy Rebates, Custom, and Small Business Energy Solutions programs.

4.4 REMOVING SAVINGS FROM CALCULATION Mr. Peach, in the Peach Report, recommends removing specific evaluated savings results from the portfolio on validation grounds. E1's independent evaluator, Econoler, provided detailed responses suppor...

AI summary Mr. Peach recommends removing specific savings from the portfolio due to validation concerns. E1 and the Industrial Group support retaining these savings, citing Econoler's analysis. The Industrial Group urges the Board to reject Peach's recommendation regarding residential and BNI programs. E1 also plans to engage DSMAG in reviewing the Standardized Filing Framework for the 2027-2031 DSM Plan.

4.6 NS POWER CYBER ATTACK - 14 The Industrial Group has requested that E1 outline any revisions to its 2026 programs in relation to the - 15 impacts of the Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NS Power) cybersecurity breach and the Residential Behaviou...

AI summary The Industrial Group requests E1 to outline revisions to 2026 programs related to the NS Power cyber attack and the Residential Behaviour program. E1 states no material changes are anticipated but will collaborate with NS Power and report updates to the Board and stakeholders.

avings claims over time and that these would vary in size. [Exhibit E-17, Appendix A, p. 25] [55] Econoler did not agree that an adjustment was made to an older value and reported for 2024. It said: … For each project, a portion of overall...

AI summary Econoler defended its use of partial claims for multi-year projects and true-up adjustments, citing established protocols. Dr. Peach criticized the statistical significance of savings claims for the Residential Behavior and Demand Response programs, arguing large sample sizes require practical significance assessments instead.

5.3.1 Findings [59] The issues raised by Dr. Peach leading to his recommendation to disallow the claimed energy and demand savings in four programs are of concern to the Board. [60] Regarding the compressed air leak audits under the BNI Cu...

AI summary The Board addresses concerns raised by Dr. Peach regarding energy savings claims in four programs, including deviations from the UMP Protocol in compressed air audits and the Residential Behaviour Program's lack of direct savings. Econoler's explanations are accepted but require more detailed reporting. The Board directs evaluations for program improvements and retention of 2024 savings, while suspending the Residential Behaviour Program due to cybersecurity issues.

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.