Natural Gas Conservation Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC)
One of the OEB’s objectives is to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency in accordance with the policies of the Government of Ontario. Consistent with this objective, the OEB develops policies related to energy efficiency and energy conservation, considers utility requests for conservation programs, conducts research studies, and evaluates conservation program results to ensure they are accurate.
To support the OEB’s evaluation of natural gas conservation programs it established an Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) in 2015. As part of the OEB's Decision and Order on Enbridge Gas's 2023-2025 natural gas conservation plan, the OEB confirmed that the EAC would continue as a standalone sub-committee of the broader Stakeholder Advisory Group. The EAC provides input and advice related to the various evaluation related projects undertaken by the OEB and Enbridge Gas. These include evaluation plans, impact evaluations, process evaluations, model verification studies, net-to-gross evaluations, measure life review, and technical resource manual updates. The EAC collaborates to help the OEB and its Evaluation Contractor produce the most accurate final, verified program results possible.
The EAC is chaired by OEB staff and includes representatives from Enbridge Gas, non-utility stakeholders, independent experts, staff from the Independent System Electricity Operator (IESO), and observers from the Ministry of Energy.
One of the OEB’s objectives is to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency in accordance with the policies of the Government of Ontario. Consistent with this objective, the OEB develops policies related to energy efficiency and energy conservation, considers utility requests for conservation programs, conducts research studies, and evaluates conservation program results to ensure they are accurate.
To support the OEB’s evaluation of natural gas conservation programs it established an Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) in 2015. As part of the OEB's Decision and Order on Enbridge Gas's 2023-2025 natural gas conservation plan, the OEB confirmed that the EAC would continue as a standalone sub-committee of the broader Stakeholder Advisory Group. The EAC provides input and advice related to the various evaluation related projects undertaken by the OEB and Enbridge Gas. These include evaluation plans, impact evaluations, process evaluations, model verification studies, net-to-gross evaluations, measure life review, and technical resource manual updates. The EAC collaborates to help the OEB and its Evaluation Contractor produce the most accurate final, verified program results possible.
The EAC is chaired by OEB staff and includes representatives from Enbridge Gas, non-utility stakeholders, independent experts, staff from the Independent System Electricity Operator (IESO), and observers from the Ministry of Energy.
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eTools Validation Report
The OEB has posted the final report of the evaluation study that assessed the accuracy of Enbridge Gas's energy modelling software called eTools. Enbridge Gas uses eTools to estimate natural gas savings following the implementation of energy-efficiency boiler equipment upgrades.
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2022 Technical Resource Manual Update
The OEB has released the updated version of the natural gas conservation Technical Resource Manual (TRM). The TRM is updated annually to ensure that the information related to various energy efficient technologies and equipment is up to date and consistent with the best information available. The information in the TRM is used to calculate energy savings from energy efficiency and conservation programs. It is also used for program planning and developing delivery strategies.
The OEB also developed an electronic version of the TRM (eTRM) to act as a companion document to the main text-based TRM. The eTRM is a detailed, complete and discrete electronic dataset and identification system. The eTRM houses all technical information related to the various energy efficiency measures that have been, or currently are, offered in natural gas DSM programs. The primary purpose of the eTRM is to assist the OEB's Evaluation Contractor with data management tasks making the annual evaluation process more efficient. The eTRM also allows the OEB, its EC, members of the EAC, or other interested parties to look up information or manipulate the data, minimizing the burden of the standard text-based TRM document. The eTRM will be updated annual with all future TRM iterations.
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The OEB has release the 2021 DSM Results Report
The 2021 DSM Results Report includes all verified natural gas savings from Enbridge Gas Inc.’s 2021 conservation programs. You can find the release letter and report here:
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
2021 Technical Resource Manual Update
The OEB has released the updated version of the natural gas conservation Technical Resource Manual (TRM). The TRM is updated annually to ensure that the information related to various energy efficient technologies and equipment is up to date and consistent with the best information available. The information in the TRM is used to calculate energy savings from energy efficiency and conservation programs. It is also used for program planning and developing delivery strategies.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
The OEB has released the 2020 DSM Results Report
The 2020 DSM Results Report includes all verified natural gas savings from Enbridge Gas Inc.’s 2020 conservation programs.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Updated Natural Gas DSM Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) Plan for 2021 and 2022
The updated EM&V plan includes recommended evaluation activities from the OEB’s Evaluation Contractor, including priority levels for each activity. The OEB considers the recommendations, along with cost and value of each evaluation activity, when determining the scope of its annual evaluation work.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
The OEB has released the 2019 DSM Results Report
The 2019 DSM Results Report includes all verified natural gas savings from Enbridge Gas Inc.’s 2019 conservation programs.
Life Cycle
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2021 Natural Gas DSM Annual Verification Report
Natural Gas Conservation Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) has finished this stageSummary: This report documents the final, verified natural gas conservation program results for the 2021 program year. It includes all findings from the OEB’s Evaluation Contractor who was informed by opinions of members of the EAC.
Expected Completion Date: November 2022
Current Status: The 2021 annual verification process is now complete.
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2022 Technical Resource Manual Update
Natural Gas Conservation Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) has finished this stageSummary: Annually, the OEB’s Evaluation Contractor updates, with input and advice from the EAC, the TRM to reflect best information related to the efficiency measures and equipment offered through the natural gas conservation programs.
Expected Completion Date: November 2022
Current Status: The 2022 TRM update process is now complete.
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eTRM Development
Natural Gas Conservation Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) has finished this stageSummary: The OEB's Evaluation Contractor undertook developing an electronic summary of the Technical Resource Manual to help make the evaluation process more efficient and allow for greater program planning considerations.
Expected Completion Date: December 2022
Current Status: The eTRM development is now complete and will be fully implemented into the annual verification process as part of the evaluation related to 2022 program results which will be completed in 2023.
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eTools Validation
Natural Gas Conservation Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC) is currently at this stageSummary: The OEB retained DNV to conduct a validation study of eTools, a digital Enbridge tool that leverages engineering calculations to estimate energy savings from boiler space and water heating projects. The study compared the eTools savings estimates with those estimated by modeling site-level energy usage from customer bills.
Expected Completion Date: February 2023
Current Status: The validation study is now complete with the final report posted. The results of the study will be applied as part of future OEB evaluation processes.
Reports
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Report - eTools Validation Study Issued: March 17, 2023 (2.79 MB) (PDF)
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Report - 2021 DSM Annual Verification Issued: November 1, 2022 (2.85 MB) (pdf)
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Report – 2020 DSM Annual Verification Issued: December 2, 2021
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Report - 2019 DSM Annual Verification Issued: December 3, 2020
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Report - 2018 DSM Free Ridership Evaluation Issued: March 13, 2020 (6.22 MB) (pdf)
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Report – 2018 DSM Annual Verification Issued: March 13, 2020
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Report - 2017-2018 DSM Custom Evaluation Executive Summary Issued: March 13, 2020 (194 KB) (pdf)
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Report - 2017-2018 DSM Custom Savings Verification Issued: March 13, 2020 (5.39 MB) (pdf)
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Report – 2017 DSM Annual Verification Issued: March 13, 2020
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Report - 2016 DSM Annual Verification Issued: October 30, 2018
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Report - 2016 DSM Custom Savings Verification Issued: October 30, 2018 (1.48 MB) (pdf)
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Report - DSM Custom Projects - Participant Spillover Results Issued: May 23, 2018 (690 KB) (pdf)
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Report - DSM Custom Measure Life Review Issued: May 10, 2018 (578 KB) (pdf)
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Report - 2015 DSM Annual Verification Issued: December 27, 2017
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Report - 2015 DSM Custom Savings Verification and Free-Ridership Evaluation Issued: October 16, 2017
Technical Resource Manual (TRM)
Cost Award Matters
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards March 28, 2022 (218 KB) (pdf)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards July 26, 2021 (212 KB) (PDF)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards December 17, 2019 (404 KB) (PDF)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards December 10, 2018 (583 KB) (PDF)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards March 5, 2018 (538 KB) (PDF)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards June 5, 2017 (82.8 KB) (PDF)
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OEB Decision on Cost Awards September 29, 2016 (86.8 KB) (PDF)
We're Listening
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Email Josh.Wasylyk@oeb.ca