Evaluation of the NB Power DSM Program Portfolio

Econoler has evaluated the complete portfolio of NB Power demand-side management (DSM) programs for ten years. The mandate includes impact, process, and market evaluations across a broad portfolio of energy efficiency programs for the residential, including the low-income and social development housing segments, commercial, and industrial sectors as well as demand response for commercial and industrial facilities. 

Over the course of these evaluations, Econoler applies a comprehensive suite of energy and peak demand savings quantification techniques that consist of unitary savings analyses and technical reference manual reviews, building simulations and modelling, billing and metering analyses using advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data, as well as engineering analyses. Process and market evaluation approaches include in-depth interviews with program stakeholders, web surveys, in-person and remote site visits to verify measure installations and operations, web scraping, and advanced data analysis. Econoler also assesses greenhouse gas emission reductions and program cost effectiveness using the Utility Cost Test, Program Administrator Cost Test, and Total Resource Cost Test and carries out economic impact analyses to quantify the broader benefits generated by NB Power programs. 

The mandate also includes research and advisory support for NB Power, under which Econoler undertakes special projects to research strategic portfolio and program topics. This work includes literature reviews, jurisdictional scans, and other targeted research to inform program design and DSM planning.

Through its evaluations, Econoler provides insights to the NB Power DSM program team on opportunities to enhance program impacts while delivering clear and credible information on program performance for regulatory stakeholders.