Topic:"Transmission Planning" in M12247

Regional Integration Strategy Action Plan Item 1b: Regional Integration The 2030 Provincial Clean Power Plan notes the potential for the Reliability Tie to incorporate an extension from Salisbury, NB to Point Lepreau, NB: - This would enab...

AI summary The 2030 Provincial Clean Power Plan proposes extending the Reliability Tie from Salisbury, NB to Point Lepreau, NB, enhancing energy exchange with New Brunswick, New England, and Quebec. Stages 1 and 2 offer 100MW firm capacity and additional energy. NS Power will monitor near-term import opportunities via existing and planned transmission infrastructure.

Electrification Impacts – T&D System Action Plan Item 2c & Roadmap Item 6 As outlined in Roadmap Item 6 , NS Power continues to monitor electrification and load growth, to reflect these impacts in developed load forecasts for Nova Scotia....

AI summary NS Power is analyzing electrification impacts on its transmission and distribution system, leveraging SCADA and AMI data to refine load forecasts, model system peaks, and identify overloaded equipment. Improved modelling techniques now capture varied peak patterns (morning, afternoon, summer) and enable granular feeder-level load reallocation.

Electrification Impacts – T&D System Action Plan Item 2b & Roadmap Item 6 The 2024 load forecast, the Province's Clean Power Plan and the 2024 10 Year System Outlook provide a clear picture of the generation resources required to serve loa...

AI summary The 2024 load forecast, Clean Power Plan, and 10-Year System Outlook outline generation resource needs. NERC TPL assessment identified three corrective actions, including transformer upgrades and corridor adjustments. Overloaded feeders and transformers are expected but manageable within 5-10 years. Detailed studies were completed in 2024, with planning studies prioritized for 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 (b) There is currently no timeline for Stage 2 of the regional transmission. The development 2 of Stage 2 of the project is not required to meet the 2030 targets. Date Filed: July 15, 2025 NSPI (CA) IR-1 Page 2 of 2

AI summary The document indicates that Stage 2 of the regional transmission project does not have a timeline and is not required to meet the 2030 targets. This information was filed by NSPI on July 15, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR-1: 3 Automatic Generation Control (AGC) functionality required from new wind farms 4 (beginning with the Rate Base Procurement projects), which will reduce curtailment 5 relative to what would be achieved by f...

AI summary The document discusses requests related to Automatic Generation Control (AGC) functionality for new wind farms and modeling of transmission and distribution systems. It includes questions about system modeling, feeder peak patterns, and data usage, along with responses from NSPI regarding modeling practices and data collection plans.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR-1: 22 (b) Please refer to Dept. of Energy IR-009 from the NS-NB Reliability Intertie Project 23 application proceeding (M12217). For convenience the response has been reproduced 24 below: 25 26 27 28 29 30 31...

AI summary The document references a request related to the NS-NB Reliability Intertie Project, noting that Phase 2 discussions are not currently underway. The focus remains on Phase 1, with Phase 2 work and import/export opportunities yet to be determined.

Distribution Planning Priorities The following distribution planning priorities are recommended from the results of the feeder assessment: - 1. Complete full planning studies for the following areas in 2025, considering expected transforme...

AI summary The document outlines five distribution planning priorities for 2025, including completing studies for specific areas, initiating preliminary assessments, refreshing a study for the Dartmouth 69 kV Loop, long-term planning for Halifax Peninsula growth, and monitoring impacted areas. Collaboration with HRM and development of a CYME model are emphasized.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR-4: 3 Refer to Exhibit N-1, 2025 Evergreen IRP, page. 23 of 42, stating that "More detailed studies 4 to support the NERC TPL and NPCC Area Transmission Review requirements were 5 completed in 2024." 6 7 Please...

AI summary The document contains requests and responses related to the 2025 Evergreen Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Request IR-4 asks for studies supporting NERC and NPCC transmission reviews, and the response indicates they contain confidential data. Request IR-15 asks for in-service dates and a comparison of capacity additions from Green Choice Program projects, with the response noting the projects will contribute to renewable generation by 2030.

s). The currently available modeling work provides an appropriate representation for the current planning environment until the completion of the NSIESO's first IRP. [NS Power Reply Submission, p. 7] The Board shares Synapse's concerns abo...

AI summary The Board acknowledges concerns raised by Synapse, Energy Storage Canada, Natural Forces, and Solar Nova Scotia regarding NSIESO's IRP modeling, including Mersey hydro system rehabilitation, load forecasting, and NS-NB Intertie impacts. The Board directs that policy factors like 'sustainable prosperity' be considered in the IRP process, with Solar Nova Scotia's DER Roadmap comments addressed in matter M12177.

39 Request IR-6: 41 Please provide an update on the status of dynamic line ratings and other grid-enhancing 42 technologies. In your response, please indicate what role these technologies may play (and at what 43 level of materiality) to a...

AI summary Request IR-6 seeks an update on dynamic line ratings and grid-enhancing technologies, asking about their role in achieving Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) objectives. The request emphasizes materiality levels and potential contributions to IRP action plans.

Request IR-10: Refer to Exhibit N-1, 2025 Evergreen IRP page 20 of 42, stating that "NS Power will continue to monitor opportunities for near-term firm imports over existing and planned transmission infrastructure." Please provide an updat...

AI summary Request IR-10 seeks an update from NS Power on monitoring opportunities for near-term firm imports via existing and planned transmission infrastructure, referencing the 2025 Evergreen IRP.

Request IR-14: Refer to Exhibit N-1, 2025 Evergreen IRP, page. 23 of 42, stating that "More detailed studies to support the NERC TPL and NPCC Area Transmission Review requirements were completed in 2024." Please provide these studies.

AI summary The request refers to a 2025 Evergreen Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) exhibit, which states that studies supporting NERC TPL and NPCC Area Transmission Review requirements were completed in 2024. The request seeks these studies.

19 1 2025 M12247 2 Reference: N-1, IRP Action Plan Update, Item 1: Regional Integration, p.18-20. 3 4 5 (a) With the Reliability Tie being integrated into the system, please provide an update on how wind curtailment is being modelled withi...

AI summary The document text includes several requests related to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Action Plan Update, focusing on wind curtailment modeling, renewable curtailment reduction efforts, transmission and distribution system modeling, and the Provincial Green Choice Program. These requests aim to gather updates and insights from NSPI.

bmitted its Evergreen IRP, which reflected a comprehensive modeling update of the 2020 IRP. NSPI determined that it should prioritize execution of the following five Action Plan items: [12](#page-5-0) - 1. Regional Integration Strategy : N...

AI summary NSPI submitted its Evergreen IRP, updating the 2020 plan with five action items: advancing the Reliability Tie by 2028, publishing an electrification strategy in 2023, retiring thermal plants (e.g., Trenton 5 by 2027/2028), developing 300–900 MW of new CT generation by 2030, and procuring 1000 MW of renewables by 2030. These reflect priorities for regional integration, electrification, and resource planning.

3.2. Progress Updates on Action Plan Items for 2024/2025 to Date - Regional Integration Strategy: NSPI filed the Reliability Tie application with NSEB on April 9, 2025, seeking to build the Reliability Tie identified in its 2023 Evergreen...

AI summary NSPI filed a Reliability Tie application with NSEB in April 2025, aligning with its 2023 Evergreen Action Plan. NS Power notes a 136 MW reduction in 2030/2031 firm winter peak load forecasts between the 2023 and 2025 10-Year System Outlook Reports, citing improved data from SCADA and AMI systems for electrification planning.

1. Update to Evergreen IRP The NSIESO expects to assume responsibility for system planning, transmission interconnection, and energy and capacity procurement functions in Q4 2025. 1 Synapse Recommendation 1 appropriately points to the need...

AI summary The document outlines updates to the Evergreen Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), emphasizing NSIESO's upcoming role in system planning by Q4 2025. It highlights the need to evaluate Mersey's economic prudence, complete ELCC studies, and align the IRP with the Reliability Tie project. The Board is urged to expedite IRP modeling to avoid delays, even as NS Power transitions responsibilities to NSIESO.

NS Power's IRP-related studies and activities Synapse expressed concerns that NS Power has not conducted new IRP modeling since the 2022/2023 Evergreen IRP study and that it is important not to delay the process of conducting the next IRP...

AI summary Synapse urged NS Power to complete pending studies for the next Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), citing delays in updating core assumptions. Six factors, including load forecasts, battery storage, and New Brunswick import capacity, require urgent attention to inform the 2030 resource plan. The 2022/2023 Evergreen IRP study's limitations were highlighted as a barrier to timely planning.