Nova Scotia Power is busy preparing for a transition away from coal-fired electricity generation and to meet provincial mandates to provide 80 per cent renewable electricity sales by 2030, as well meet the federal government’s incoming Clean Electricity Regulations, which will require the utility to meet net-zero by 2035. Read below for a synopsis of recent publications outlining potential solutions.

On December 8, 2023, Nova Scotia Power published:

On February 6, 2024, Nova Scotia Power published:

Key Findings:

  • Inverter-based resources (IBR):

The study of integrating inverter-based resources (IBR) will help Nova Scotia Power understand and plan to integrate more renewable electricity into its grid. An inverter converts direct current electricity (DC) to alternating current (AC). IBR refers to facilities which interface between the AC grid and the source of electricity. IBRs include modern wind turbines, solar PV generation and battery energy storage, and some transmission systems.

According to the study, inverter-based generation will displace conventional synchronous machine-based power generation, which will bring challenges without adequate planning. The study found: “the grid will need significant support as many legacy thermal plants are phased out or converted to alternate fuels.” However, this transition to more renewable electricity generation is achievable with the existing and evolving technologies.

  • Electrification economics:

The report looked at programming to support beneficial electrification in both the transportation and building sectors. These efforts could save consumers money over the long run, enable better grid management, and reduce negative environmental impact.

The report found:

  • Electrification of end uses reduces total, economy-wide emissions in Nova Scotia;
  • Most transportation electrification investments produce benefits that exceed costs for drivers, ratepayers and society; and,
  • Policy changes may be required to encourage adoption of the most efficient equipment to support building electrification and avoid potential adverse impacts to ratepayers.

More specific findings include:

  • Utility actions through time of use rates and programs to avoid “rebound peaks” at the beginning of off-peak hours to manage transportation loads will be crucial to minimizing costs and achieving ratepayer benefits.
  • Encouraging adoption of advanced building technology (high performance heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps as well as building shell energy efficiency measures) will be essential to mitigate peak load impacts.

Next Steps:

On January 25, 2024, Nova Scotia Power applied to the NS Utility and Review Board to approve the capital costs of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project. If approved, the BESS Project is poised to play a key role in Nova Scotia’s energy transition by helping stabilize the grid as more renewable generation is added to the electricity system.

The Government of Nova Scotia has enacted regulations under the Electricity Act, directing Nova Scotia Power to install three 50 MW four-hour duration grid-scale batteries at specified locations in the province.

Nova Scotia Power has secured considerable financial support for the BESS Project from the federal government through Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program of approximately one third of total project costs up to a maximum of $130 million. Nova Scotia Power has also secured low-cost debt financing from the Canada Infrastructure Bank for the Project.

The BESS Project is being developed in collaboration with the Wskijnu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Limited (WMA). The WMA was formed by all of Nova Scotia’s thirteen Mi’kmaq First Nations and is committed to environmental stewardship as essential to maintaining the way of life and well-being for future generations of the Mi’kmaq and all Nova Scotians.

To learn more about Nova Scotia Power’s 2022 Evergreen Integrated Resource Plan and Action Plan Updates, visit: https://irp.nspower.ca/document-library/.