Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA)

Accomplishments to Date

OSEA Accomplishments in 2021

OSEA held its first Sustainable Finance Webinar in January, moderated by VCIB, with Springlane Capital, NRSTOR Inc., and Co-Power. The Webinar focused on different types of clean capital available from equity to debt.
OSEA established a strategic partnership with Public Service Canada (formerly Ontario Small Medium Enterprises or OSME) and held three separate webinar events: “Doing Business with Government Information Clinic” in June, “How to sell Cleantech to the Federal Government” in July, and “Myth Busting Federal Procurement” in August.
OSEA partnered with the World Trade Centre in Toronto in September to offer a virtual Cleantech Export Business Mission to Mexico.
OSEA held its 11^th Green Energy Doors Open^TM event in October in partnership with Centennial College and sponsored by Enbridge and the Accelerator Centre. OSEA was pleased to have the Hon. Todd Smith, Minister of Energy as its keynote speaker, with an expert Sustainability Panel composed of TD Bank, Alectra Utilities GRE&T Centre, Enbridge, and Power Advisory LLC. OSEA then held a Virtual Award for the Best in Class across 10 sustainability categories. OSEA had some 150 plus registrants for the event.
OSEA held its AGM in November to announce new strategic directions.
OSEA organized a first of its kind Greener Homes Grant Program Webinar in December, in partnership with NRCan, the Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors, an expert Energy Retrofit Expert Round Table featuring Fenestration Canada, Heating Refrigeration and Air Condition Institute Canada (HRAI), and the Siding and Window Distributors Association of Canada (SAWDAC).
On Advocacy, OSEA provided input into the Hydrogen Technology Roadmap, requested a Provincial engagement process to amend Regulation 98-12for Geothermal, and consulted the MOE on Virtual Net Metering and Community Net Metering.

OSEA is a recognized intervenor before the Ontario Energy Board. OSEA is assisted by Willms & Shier LLP and Power Advisory LLC. Below is a bullet list of the activities that OSEA accomplished with the OEB in 2021:

Participated in the Natural Gas Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) (EB-2020-0091) and advocated for enhanced planning activities to support Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs, integrating non-pipeline alternatives (NPAs), and consideration for future climate change policy impacts.
Advocated adjustment to the annual supply plan for Enbridge (EB-2021-0004) to ensure gas supply from neighbouring jurisdictions accurately reflect Ontario’s carbon price regime in the future through the blind procurement.
Active participation in the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) rate application for 2022-2026 payments for prescribed facilities (EB-2020-0290). OSEA was instrumental in deferring $40M of variance account payments related to Surplus Baseload Generation until further analysis is completed. The deferral was part of the largest settlement agreement in OEB history, where intervenors and OPG agreed to reduce funds by over $500M over the rate-application time-period.
Activate participation in the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) fee application (EB-2020-0230). OSEA, through the settlement agreement and its actions, was able to secure commitment by IESO to release more planning data on the electricity sector to support local communities understand their electricity infrastructure capabilities and options to meet sustainability goals. In addition, OSEA was able to defer the implementation of a higher application fee until the impact on competition was assessed by the IESO; helping ensure small-scale generation is not unfairly harmed by the higher application fee.
Prepared comments on the OEB Staff Discussion Paper on CDM Activities; advocating for enhanced planning approach to CDM activities, expanded definition of CDM and support for many of the Staff’s recommendations.
Ongoing participation in the following procedures;
- Multi-year DSM program application from Enbridge (EB-2021-0002)
- Hydro One Joint Rate Application 2023-2027 (EB-2021-0110)

OSEA Accomplishments 2020

· OSEA in June partnered with the Government of Ontario, MAGNET Export Business Portal to hold a Green Energy Exports Webinar, with a leading Canadian renewable energy developer CPCS, Global Affairs Canada, Export Development Corp., and Business Development Canada, to learn about scaling up Green Tech for exports to Africa by showcasing Canadian success stories
· OSEA held its 10th Green Energy Doors Open^TM event in September, in partnership with the Ontario Centres of Excellence (now Ontario Centre for Innovation) and had over 350 registrants. OSEA and OCE featured 10 strategic sustainable energy category winners.
· OSEA partners with Resilient World Institute (RWI) to offer on-line energy training courses on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Modelling, etc.
· OSEA held its AGM in November, citing growth in membership and events.
· OSEA participated in several Green Energy Drinks events (all virtual).

OSEA – OEB (Ontario Energy Board) FILES ACTIVE IN 2020

7978 – Enbridge Gas Inc. IRP Proposal – EB-2020-0091

· Purpose: Enbridge applied for approval of its Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) proposal.

· Status: Enbridge, OEB Staff, and GEC/ED have submitted evidence. Interrogatories were due on January 12, 2021. A virtual technical conference was held on February 10, 2021, a virtual presentation day was held on February 19, 2021, and a virtual oral hearing was held on March 1-3, 2021.

· OSEA Involvement: OSEA is cost eligible and provided comments on the Draft Issues List on June 4, 2020. OSEA commented, among other things, that the scope of the IRP proceeding should include a review of what avoided cost and demand reduction calculations should be used in DSM technologies that impact peak demand and can be used in IRP. In the OEB’s decision on the Draft Issues List, the OEB agreed that avoided cost and demand reduction assumptions for gas DSM technologies should be considered in the IRP proceeding.

7902 - Enbridge 2021 DSM Plan – EB-2019-0271

· Purpose: Enbridge applied for approval of its 2021 DSM Plan, since the Board did not conclude the Board’s DSM Framework proceeding in time. Enbridge requested that the Board approve its DSM Plan without a hearing. Environmental Defence responded and requested a hearing on the basis that Enbridge’s DSM Plan was not compliant with various government policies and directives.

· Status: Completed in 2020. The Board approved Enbridge’s 2021 DSM Plan for the EGD and Union rate zones. The Board approved rolling forward the approved DSM plans into 2021, approved the continuation of 2020 budgets for 2021 with no increases, and approved the continuation of performance scorecards, annual shareholder incentive structure, and cost-effectiveness screening tests. The Board awarded OSEA its costs.

· OSEA involvement: OSEA was cost eligible, and submitted interrogatories on March 16, 2020, and a written submission on June 12, 2020. OSEA supported Enbridge’s request to roll over the DSM program to 2021, but commented that:

o The Board should require Enbridge to provide a revised estimate for 2020 and forecast for 2021, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

o Enbridge should utilize flexible spending mechanisms within the DSMVA to fund shovel-ready projects and programs and focus 2021 programming on municipal energy plans, research on sustainable heating technologies, and benchmarking

o The Board should require Enbridge to report on customer participation numbers to evaluate the success of Enbridge Gas’ efforts to increase customer participation, and

o The Board should expedite the consultation on the Post-2020 DSM Framework.

7819 - Distributed Energy Resources Connections Review - EB-2019-0207 (OSEA not cost eligible)

· Purpose: The OEB commenced a related DER consultation on its technical requirements, in regard to the connection of DERs by electricity distributors.

· Status: The Board invited parties to comment on the issues for review and proposed solutions, and invited participation in a working group.

· OSEA involvement: OSEA was not cost eligible for this proceeding. OSEA commented on the Board’s rationale for the proceeding and commented that a clear enunciation of a preference for DERs with fundamental principles will expand the opportunities for DERs and enable local decision makers (utilities, municipalities, customers, service providers) to have the flexibility they require to maximize the value of DERs.

o OSEA attended working group meetings starting on December 4, 2019 and throughout 2020.

o Next steps:

§ OEB held a webinar on Jan 14, 2021 and invited comments on OEB Staff’s Proposal due Jan 25, 2021.

§ Comments in reply to other stakeholders’ comments were due February 4, 2021.

7766 - Post - 2020 Natural Gas Demand Side Management Framework - EB-2019-0003

· Purpose: The Board initiated a consultation process to develop a post-2020 Demand Side Management (“DSM”) Framework for natural gas distributors.

· Status:

o Phase 1 Completed. Parties attended a stakeholder meeting and submitted comments to the Board. The Board stated that it will undertake a comprehensive review of the current 2015-2020 DSM framework for the purposes of establishing a new framework for the future. OSEA’s cost claim was submitted and approved for Phase 1.

o Phase 2: Marion attended a Stakeholder session on January 29, 2020. On December 1, 2020, the Board concluded the policy consultation process, and decided that the best approach for approving a post-2021 DSM plan is for the Board to consider it through an application process. The Board invited Enbridge to develop and file a comprehensive DSM plan application for DSM programs starting in 2022.

· OSEA involvement: OSEA submitted comments to the Board about:

o advocating for the introduction of Performance-Based Conservation in the next generation DSM framework,

o supporting that DSM province wide programs and geographically targeted DSM programs should be considered in infrastructure planning to inform system planning and provide expertise for DSM implementation, and

o advocating that natural gas plus DSM should be considered in energy infrastructure planning at the regional and local levels.

7714 - Utility Remuneration and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources– EB-2018-0287 & EB-2018-0288

· Purpose: The Board commenced a consultation on utility remuneration and distributed energy resources and associated changes to the Board regulatory framework.

· Status: Parties participated in a Stakeholder session in Fall 2019. The Board invited comments on the Board’s preliminary proposals from participants. OSEA attended a stakeholder session on February 20, 2020. OSEA submitted comments on the Board Staff proposals on March 27, 2020.

· OSEA Involvement: OSEA was not cost eligible. OSEA participated in the stakeholder session. OSEA’s position is to advocate for sector transformation to a more sustainable energy economy, through the use of DERs. OSEA encourages utilities and other market participants to embrace innovation in their operations and the products they offer to consumers, including innovation relating to energy efficiency, storage, smart grid technology and other technologies that promote sustainability and renewable energy generation.

2019

OSEA successfully held a series of successful events that were well attended over the year including;

An Ontario Energy Sector Leadership Forum: held at Willms & Shier LLP's offices in Toronto with leading associations and experts in the energy and political arenas; key speakers included Power Advisory LLC and Sussex Strategy Group.
A Climate Change Resilience, Mitigation and Adaptation Symposium: held at the Ontario Ministry of Investment and Trade with leading experts from the Intact Centre, the Institute of Catastrophic Loss Prevention (ICLR) and the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA);
A Green Exports to South East Asia Workshop: held at the Ontario Ministry of Investment and Trade with representation from the Ministry of Trade and Investment, The Export Development Corporation (EDC), The Business Development Corporation (BDC), Magnet Business Portal, and political representation from Indonesia, Thailand, Viet-Nam and the Philippines;
Sustainable Energy Technologies Workshop: The official launch to GEDO ^TM 19, eld at Ryerson University with expert speakers from the City of Toronto's Green Industries Department, along with experts from Enbridge, ENWAVE, Canadian Green Buildings Canada, and Groundheat International;
The Green Energy Doors Open^TM 19 Sustainable Technology Showcase across Ontario-The 9th Annual GEDO TM event to showcase District Cooling, Geo-Exchange, Wind, Solar, Biomass and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as well as E-Vehicle technology. (Please go to Events for GEDO TM 19 to see more).
OSEA participated with a Trade Show Booth at the IESO First Nations Energy Symposium on November 4-5, 2019 at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. OSEA expects to build on this annual event to identify project and partnership opportunities to further sustainable energy deployment and capacity building in Ontario's First Nations communities.

7. OSEA has been active as usual at the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)

2018

OSEA continued to intervene to the Ontario Energy Board on behalf of its members and others seeking fair energy rates, greater access to the grid for green development and for introduction of DERs.
Green Energy Doors Open-was hosted across Ontario with approximately 3,000 visitors to its sites showcasing green energy projects, energy efficiency results and EV technology.

2017

OSEA continues to work with Willms & Shier LLP to intervene to the Ontario Energy Board on behalf of Green Energy developers and consumers seeking fair prices and access to the grid.
Green Energy Doors Open - OSEA successfully brought approximately 10,000 visitors to Ontario, BC and Alberta, in partnership with BC's Sustainable Energy Association and Distributed Energy Alberta as its strategic partners.
OSEA held its Powering for Prosperity Gala Dinner Event on Feb. 8th 2017 where awards were given for most sustainable projects and most sustainable company in Ontario.

2016

On-going Advocacy to the Ontario Energy Board via OSEA and Willms & Shier LLP.
OSEA's Board announces new Mission Statement and Goals for its membership.
Powering for Prosperity - Successfully held the 8th Annual Gala Event with 250 Guests attending, and Awards for best Sustainable Project, Company etc.
Engaged actively in the provinces Long-term Energy Plan consultation process and submitted our recommendations through submissions pre consultation as well as during the public consultation process. (View submissions)
Received the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award from the Biomass North Development Centre

2015

Launched the Combined Energy Options Ontario initiative.

2014

Championed the idea of a 20/20 Roadmap for Ontario

2012/13

Engaged in the public consultation process around the provinces 2013 Long-term Energy Plan

2012

Launched Green Energy Doors Open, allowing members of the public to meet the people and organizations leading the way to making Ontario a sustainable energy province

2011

Launched the annual award ceremony Powering for Prosperity to celebrate the successes of our sector.

2010

Created the Community Power Services Group (now separate aka Ontario Sustainability Services Inc.) to assist local community energy initiatives
Tide’s Canada Top 10 award recipient.

2009-Present

Counter negative media rhetoric around Green Energy and Economy Act and FIT, defend the rights of communities to participate in the development of sustainable energy projects with ad campaigns, webinars, and policy work

2008-Present

Hosted five successful international sustainable exhibitions and conferences (World Wind 2008, Community Power 2009–11, All Energy 2014)

2008

Co-founded the Green Energy Act Alliance & developed the policy document which led to the Green Energy Act and Feed-in tariff (FIT) program

2007

Launched the Community Power Fund to assist local Community Power generation initiatives with soft cost grants

2004

Campaigned and developed the policy document which led to Ontario’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program

2002

Organization for formed to advance a sustainable energy system in Ontario with community participation
Facilitate dialogues between members and non-members on how to advance a sustainable energy system in Ontario