Electric Thermal Storage

1
Electric Thermal Storage And Time-of-Day Rate
2
What is the Time-of-Day (TOD) Rate?

• Nova Scotia Power offers a Time-of-Day (TOD) rate
  as an optional rate available to residential
  customers.
• Customers who qualify for the rate, can take
  advantage of low-cost electricity by focusing on
  the time-of-day the energy is used.
• The rate reflects the actual cost to generate the
  electricity and provides low-cost electricity
  during off-peak energy times.
• Various electric-based heating systems qualify
  for use with the TOD rate by storing heat and
  releasing it through appropriate timing and
  controls.

3
What do we mean by off-peak times?

• There are different times throughout the day,
  and different seasons throughout the year when
  demand for electricity is higher.
• Nova Scotia Power must be able to produce and
  distribute enough electricity to meet these high
  demand peak times.
• But during low-demand or off-peak times,
  there is plenty of generating capacity available.
  
• To encourage customers to use the majority of
  their electricity during off-peak times, Nova
  Scotia Power offers TOD rates.

4
How can customers use power off-peak?

• There are a number of electric-based space
  heating systems that qualify for use with the TOD
  rate because they draw energy during low cost
  off-peak times and store the heat for release
  later in the day.
• This heating concept is known as Electric
  Thermal Storage (ETS).
• A traditional electric-based space heating
  system uses power on demand and draws electricity
  as it is needed, when it is needed. An
  electric-based thermal storage space heating
  system draws the majority of its energy during
  off-peak times and therefore saves money.

5
Time-of-Day is a whole-house rate

• Electric space heating and hot-water systems
  account for the majority of electricity used in
  the home.
• A significant way to save money is by using
  electricity at times when the lowest rates are in
  effect.
• Customers can do this automatically by using
  ETS for space heating and controlling their
  electric water heater.
• It's easy to cut costs even more by using
  appliances during off-peak times (optional
  appliance controls can help do this
  automatically).

6
Time-of-Day Rate
7
ETS Heating Systems Approved for TOD Rate
ETS 2100 Series - Room Unit
ETS 3100 Series Central Heat Pump/back up ETS
ETS 4100 Series Central Forced Warm Air
ETS 5100 Series Central Hot Water
8
ETS Heating Systems In-floor Radiant TOD

• Hybrid time-of-day heating system
• Usually two 40 or 60 gallon domestic water
  heaters OR electric boilers
• NSPI is mandated by the Utility and Review Board
  (UARB) to approve the timing controls used.
• Control can be either through the use of
  equipment that utilizes an off-peak signal
  emitted by the TOD meter, or by timing equipment
  that is manually programmed (e.g., seven day
  programmable timer (7-day, 4-event), wired to the
  heating equipment, and either an electronic
  thermostat or programmable (7-day, 4-event)
  thermostat wired to the zone valve).

9
How does NSP promote ETS?

• Industry Sponsor Nova Scotia Homebuilders
  Association
• Spring Home Show (March)
• Halifax Forum Complex target those customers
  who are building, buying or renovating
• New Homes Month (April)
• Consumer seminars aimed at persons building /
  buying homes
• R2000 Parade of Homes (May/June)
• To raise awareness of the benefits of R2000
  building
• Approximately 20 homes on showcase tour
• Lifestyle Home (May/June)
• One home in R2000 tour highlighting the best of
  the best
• Reno Month (October)
• Consumer seminars aimed to heighten awareness of
  the benefits of renovation

10
How does NSP promote ETS?

• Provide assistance to manufacturer / contractor
  for local advertising
• Example Steffes advertising on Eastlink Cable
  Network
• NSP Brochures
• Heating Solutions
• Heat Pumps
• Electric Thermal Storage
• TOD Rate Chart
• Water Heating
• Electric Heating
• Billing and Payment Options
• General Information
• Heating Cost Comparison
• Further information available online
• www.nspower.ca

11
What does NSP offer ?

• Dedicated phone line for customer inquiries
• 1-800-428-NSPI (6774)
• Specialized Energy Advisors to assist customers
  with issues/concerns regarding heat and hot water
  heating
• Partnership with manufacturers, distributors
  and contractors to quote and install approved
  electric-based heat and hot water heating
  solutions
• Provide easy on-bill financing (OAC) to
  customers who install approved products

12
Electric Thermal Storage

• How does a customer obtain an ETS heating
  system?
• ETS Room Units (purchased / financed from NSP,
  installed by participating ETS Room Unit
  contractor network)
• ETS Central Heating Systems (purchased from EMCO
  / Sumner installed by manufacturer-approved
  contractor, can be financed through NSP)
• ETS In-floor Radiant (purchased and installed
  from local contractor)
• How does a customer obtain the TOD Rate and the
  TOD Meter?
• Customers installing systems other than ETS room
  units must complete a Time-of-Day Rate
  Application form.
• The Heating Solutions Sales Coordinator reviews
  applications and approves the customer for the
  rate based on the merits of system, timing and
  controls, and if necessary, arranges a site
  visit.

13
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) Program History

• 1996
• Time-of-Day (TOD) rate mandated by the Nova
  Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) in
  general rate case
• Initial emphasis was load shift projected
  17,250 installations 69 MW shifted by 2005 (Was
  also seen as defense strategy to aggressive oil /
  gas threat)
• 1997
• NSP introduces Steffes Electric Thermal Storage
  (ETS) room units
• Developed product support infrastructure
• Developed direct sales
• Discounted pricing and provided product rebates
  to stimulate sales and awareness
• 1998-2001
• Extensive promotional campaign-TV, Print, Radio,
  Direct Mail
• Continued product support
• Continued discount and rebates.
• During the same time frame - Real Time
  Pricing was introduced, shifting 50 MW

14
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) Program History

• 20012004
• Removal of rebate Oct. 2001 equipment sold at
  cost
• 15 markup added to equipment March, 2002 (to
  cover administrative costs)
• Direct selling by NSP rep shifted to contractor
  network
• Contractor Network takes full responsibility for
  labour warranty
• After-sales service outsourced to local
  contractor
• New ETS technologies are introduced (in-floor
  radiant, ETS central heating systems)
• 2005-Present
• Infrastructure to sell and support product shifts
  to traditional wholesale channels (NSP continues
  to distribute ETS room units)
• New technologies being introduced
• Market awareness is very high
• High satisfaction level among owners of ETS ( 96
  !!)
• 3500 ETS / TOD Customers - 14.0 MW shifted load