Review of the Smart Grid Nova Scotia Project
Synapse was retained by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board Counsel to review the findings from the Smart Grid Nova Scotia (SGNS) Project. The SGNS Project was designed to assess use cases for managing various types of distributed energy resources (DERs), including batteries and electric vehicle charging. Topics addressed in our testimony included the affordability of DER programs tested in the SGNS Project relative to alternatives; maximizing transmission and distribution benefits and tracking low income enrollment in the Solar Garden project.
In response to Synapse's testimony, Nova Scotia Power committed to providing an evaluation of the potential to achieve affordability, reliability, and emissions benefits through lower-cost alternatives in any full-scale deployment. NS Power also agreed with Synapse’s recommendation to evaluate the potential for programs to avoid or defer transmission or distribution infrastructure upgrades.
In addition, as a result of Synapse's testimony, the Board directed Nova Scotia Power to address Synapse's recommendations regarding data sharing for transmission and distribution constraints, and to file an explanation for its failure to comply with the Board's directives regarding tracking and reporting low income enrollment in community solar projects.