Fall is rapidly upon us, and we have successfully managed our first summer as an independent electric cooperative. It has been a hot summer and despite naysayers, the amazingly dedicated women and men of United Power have led us through this significant transition.

United Power’s loads continue to grow. Combining new sources of power and innovative technology, we have managed the system in a new and exciting way. As of May 1, we immediately reduced our carbon intensity by 26%, all while setting new peak loads, month over month. Our investment in nearly 80 MW of battery energy storage systems paid for itself just two weeks after the official ribbon cutting in July. On Aug. 2, we hit an all-time historical peak of nearly 650 MW. The true load had we not deployed battery storage — and initiated demand response — would have been 719 MW! This is up from the 2023 peak of 634 MW. The batteries meant we were able to buy lower cost and lower carbon power at night and use it during peak hours from 4–8 p.m. instead of purchasing expensive fossil fuel alternatives.

There is tremendous value in having a diverse portfolio of generation and large-scale storage resources. As United Power members, you do not have to wait until the end of the decade for the energy transition, as other cooperatives are doing. We are living it now with a wide range of power suppliers — 26 at last count — bringing a lower carbon and more flexible energy supply. Hydropower, wind, solar, storage, and gas allow us to have a balanced energy portfolio.

An increasing number of our members are adding solar, storage, and electric vehicles to their lives, and we support these efforts, happily providing critical analytical tools to make sure these decisions are being made with the best and most neutral information possible. United Power fully supports an “all of the above” strategy whether we provide the resource or not. One of United Power’s critical goals, as outlined in Our Cooperative Roadmap, is to continually optimize our electric system enabling all technologies to operate seamlessly.  For help in these and other energy savings opportunities, click here.

In addition to the change in power suppliers, United Power is adding intelligence to how we operate and monitor the grid through advanced systems, including:

• A new outage management system, giving us visibility and insight into our operations,
• Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI),
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), the system our operators use to monitor real time performance,
• and a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS).

These tools are all part of our drive to become a Distribution System Operator as we prepare for the evolving energy enterprise. In recognition of our commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing, and moving the industry forward, United Power was just honored with the Survalent Industry Innovation Award.

I am particularly excited about several developments that support our members and critical community resources thanks to the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and Empower Rural America (New ERA) Program.

• United Power has been awarded $700,000 to place batteries in four fire stations across the service territory to improve reliability.
• We will receive $6.4 million to supply Fort Lupton’s Water Treatment Facility with floating solar and storage.
• Golden Aluminum is receiving $22.5 million to convert some of their equipment from natural gas to electric power.

We are also in the final stages of seeking a large New ERA grant that can help in our transition to lower carbon resources.

All of these exciting changes happen thanks to the dedication of our employees and support from your Board of Directors. As always, I welcome your questions, comments and concerns.
 

Weeks–Long Initiative Brought Power to More Than 150 Families

“It is indescribably upsetting that anyone in this day and age should not have access to electricity.” 

Apprentice Lineworker Isaiah Segoviano is one of two United Power employees who spent a week in July working in the grueling Arizona heat helping build the infrastructure necessary to supply hundreds of Navajo families with the life-changing resource of electricity. The mutual aid initiative, called Light Up Navajo, is aimed at connecting the people of the Navajo Nation to power, and is made possible by the cooperative efforts of more than 250 volunteers from 48 utilities across 16 states. 

The Navajo Nation is the largest federally recognized Native American reservation in the United States, occupying an area greater than 27,000 square miles across parts of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Many of its residents are currently living without electricity because large land parcels, passed through several generations of Navajo tribal families, are in isolated locations that are often difficult and cost-prohibitive to serve.

Electric cooperatives uniquely understand the struggle for electrification. Before the Rural Electrification Act was passed in 1936, larger electric utilities ignored requests from American families living by the light of kerosene lamps in sparsely populated rural areas. Cooperatives were formed to power these rural areas, and while power was flowing to more than 90% of farms by the early 1950s, the Navajo Nation did not reap the same benefits. It would have to wait until 1959 before the Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority (NTUA) was founded. At the time of its creation, the NTUA was only a small water utility operating out of New Mexico. It has grown into the largest multi-utility owned and operated by an American Indian tribe but has had to play catch up to provide electrification for its vast territory. 

The NTUA has conducted an ambitious years–long effort to provide electricity to nearly 7,800 homes within the territory, but more than 13,000 still remain without access. The Light Up Navajo initiative was launched in 2018 in coordination with the American Public Power Association to address the great needs of families living in the Navajo Nation. United Power’s Segoviano and Logan Steele, Troubleshooter, joined the initiative’s fifth project phase. 

“We were working 12-hour shifts in 100-degree weather to set poles and string lights,” said Segoviano. “But at the end of the day, the people were so grateful, and it was heartwarming to witness families receive power for the first time in their lives.”

United Power sent two trucks and additional electrical equipment with Segoviano and Steele who helped set approximately 70 poles and string miles of line over six days in July. During the project’s 13-week window from mid-April to July, crews strung a total of 50 miles of line and provided power to 150 homes despite difficult terrain and extreme temperatures.

Light Up Navajo’s first phase was able to plant more than 3,400 poles and string nearly 60 miles of line to provide power to 233 homes in 2019. Subsequent phases and mutual aid programs have connected nearly 500 additional homes. NTUA has since been able to provide an additional 2,500 homes with electricity.

“The workers with NTUA expressed their gratitude to us for offering our availability to help with this project,” said Segoviano. “They said that we are their forever brothers.”

Electric cooperatives were established more than 85 years ago to bring electricity to unserved communities like those in the Navajo Nation. United Power has a long history of supporting projects designed to deliver power to difficult locations or remote communities, both locally and internationally. The cooperative sent a representative to help power mountain villages in Guatemala in 2018 and 2019. Everyone should have access to electricity and the life-changing opportunities it provides, and these projects demonstrate a tangible commitment to the co-op principles upon which United Power was founded.

United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jenna Hirsch to the newly created position of Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk.

“Jenna is an exciting hire for the cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Her background in the electric industry is extensive, and the cooperative’s ongoing focus on the safety of both our employees and the public warrants strong leadership in this area.”

Hirsch holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Science in Health and Safety from the University of Denver. Most recently, she served as the Director of Safety and Loss Control for the Colorado Rural Electric Association, providing support and oversight of safety programs for rural electric cooperatives across the state. Her diverse work history includes safety work with the electric generation and transmission industry and in the oil and gas sector.

“United Power’s focus on safety underpins every initiative of the cooperative,” said Gabriel. “The importance of our safety culture is outlined in detail in both our guiding document, Our Cooperative Roadmap, and in the cooperative’s Social Responsibility Report. Any conversation we have at United Power – with leadership, among employees, or with our board – is built on this overarching concept of ‘safety first.’ I am confident that Jenna will bring the innovation and careful oversight we need to this critical aspect of our industry.”

BRIGHTON, CO and FRAMINGHAM, MA – July 29, 2024 – United Power, Inc., an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, today announced the successful completion of construction of multiple Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in collaboration with Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. These battery energy storage systems underscore significant advancements in utility infrastructure, enhancing both resiliency and energy security as the industry shifts toward a more sustainable future. Together they also represent the largest wholly owned BESS asset portfolio in Ameresco’s history.

The assets are designed to provide 78.3 MW, 313.34 MWh of battery storage capacity to the United Power electric distribution system across multiple sites. Five of the sites have been placed in service and the remaining three sites are expected to be placed in service by the end of the summer. Strategically positioned throughout United Power’s service territory, these eight advanced battery systems are pivotal in enabling United Power to enhance load balancing and integrate renewable resources seamlessly.

“The use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power grid, and we are excited to be moving ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such systems. These battery energy storage systems will allow us to balance our power needs throughout the day and incorporate local renewables more efficiently,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power.

The Ameresco-owned assets consist of four 11.75 MW and four 7.84 MW battery energy storage systems across the eight different substation sites owned by United Power, located in Adams, Broomfield, and Weld counties. In addition, Ameresco integrated Stem’s AI-driven clean energy software to efficiently operate and maintain the systems. These batteries will allow the cooperative to store and dispatch power efficiently during periods of high consumption. By leveraging this innovative technology, United Power optimizes its energy resources, enhances its grid resilience, and ensures a reliable electricity supply for its members.

“Partnering with United Power on these transformational battery energy storage systems has been incredible – in just under a year of working together we have accomplished so much,” said Jonathan Mancini, Senior Vice President, Ameresco. “The inclusion of this expansive set of assets in Ameresco’s portfolio is an amazing milestone for our team, as our largest wholly owned BESS asset portfolio to date. Energy storage plays – and will continue to play – a crucial role in enhancing grid reliability, optimizing renewable energy utilization, and fostering a resilient and efficient energy future. We look forward to continuing to help support utility companies in meeting increasing demand.”

Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate completing construction of the BESS assets. The event took place at United Power's Bromley Substation located in Brighton, CO.

To learn more about United Power’s industry leading energy transition outlined in its long-term vision for the future, read Our Cooperative Roadmap at www.unitedpower.com/roadmap.

For additional information on Ameresco and its energy solutions, visit www.ameresco.com.

About United Power: United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 112,000 meters. It’s 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Ameresco, Inc.: Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes solutions that help customers reduce costs, decarbonize to net zero, and build energy resiliency while leveraging smart, connected technologies. From implementing energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades to developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources – we are a trusted sustainability partner. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, utilities, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

The announcement of the development of a renewable energy asset by Ameresco is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such asset, of the company’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in the company’s overall total assets in development or operation. This project was included in our previously reported assets in development as of March 31, 2024.

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Brighton, CO –- A project sponsored by United Power was among those selected by Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to receive a grant from the more than $2 million awarded through the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program. The program, established by House Bill 22-1013, is designed to enhance community resilience during electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids. United Power was awarded $700,696 to offset the cost of microgrid systems to support rural emergency services in the cooperative’s territory.

United Power’s project represents one of the initial projects funded since the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) formally awarded the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and DOLA $17.2 million for the first two years of a five-year funding program. Grant funds will be used to support the study of the potential role of microgrids in advancing state energy goals, such as increasing the resiliency and reliability of the electric grid; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting the state’s transition to clean energy and beneficial electrification.

“This project, developed in coordination with four of our local fire departments, is a win for the first responders and the communities they serve,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “The battery systems we have proposed will allow these fire stations to operate uninterrupted in the event of a power outage, so they can provide critical services to our members during an emergency. Cooperatives, which are governed locally, are ideally situated to test and deploy local energy solutions.” 

The $700,696 award will offset the cost of microgrid systems, placing batteries at four facilities in the United Power service territory: Blue Mountain Fire Station #3 (Coal Creek Canyon); Frederick Firestone Fire Protection District Station #4 (Del Camino); Hudson Fire Protection District Station #3 (Lochbuie); and Mountain View Fire Rescue Station #7 (Dacono). 

“This partnership with the communities we serve is at the heart of what makes the cooperative business model unique,” said Trista L. Fugate, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We worked with each community to develop a solution that would meet their most critical needs. It is just one of the many ways United Power is working to make sure the safety and best interests of every member is met.” 

“We are honored and pleased to continue our collaborative efforts with United Power to bring resiliency within our emergency services network and into the community power grid enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses alike,” said Fire Chief Jeremy A. Young, Frederick-Firestone Fire District. “We are fortunate to have partners such as United Power that remain diligent behind the scenes to ensure essential services remain a collaborative effort for all those we serve.”

The batteries will ensure these critical response facilities continue to operate should a widespread outage occur in the area. During non-emergency conditions, the batteries will provide additional benefits to cooperative members as a load balancing tool. They will also reduce the need to activate fossil fuel backup generation during outages. 

“Hudson Fire Protection District is honored to have been selected as an award recipient for the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program,” said Alan Anderson, Assistant Chief. “This initiative is a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring uninterrupted service and safety for our community, particularly in times of crisis. We are grateful to the Colorado Energy Office and the visionaries behind House Bill 22-1013 for their support and investment in grid reliability and resiliency. We also sincerely thank United Power for their work and for facilitating the grant process. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for our community.”

The project complements United Power’s ongoing efforts to build a more resilient and responsive local grid that incorporates a variety of local generation resources, while allowing for local balancing of system demand. To learn more about United Power’s industry leading energy transition, check out the guiding principles of Our Cooperative Roadmap. 

About United Power

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 112,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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I recently attended a conference for cooperative CEOs and board directors. The keynote speaker asked a rhetorical question of the audience: “Why are you here?” An admonition we are all familiar with, often seen on raffle tickets, followed the question: “Must be present to win.”

Both the question and the advice resonated with me, so much so that I asked my senior staff that very question. We spent time talking about the importance of being present — in our communities and with our employees — especially given the monumental changes we are seeing in the electric industry, as well as the new day we are now operating under at United Power as an independent distribution cooperative.

People come to work at an electric cooperative for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, we come to make a difference for our friends, neighbors, businesses, and communities. Many United Power employees have decades of service; others, like myself, come after years of seeing different ways utilities provide electricity — the most critical commodity after air and water — to their members and customers. I truly believe the cooperative model is the best way to deliver this valuable resource. We are attracted to a place like United Power to bring critical change in an exciting and transformational time. 

The same holds true for our Board of Directors, who come from all walks of life and different backgrounds, giving their time for the betterment of the communities we serve. Being on a board, especially one that has made some difficult and challenging decisions to ensure the continued viability of our cooperative for the future, is not easy. I am sure there are United Power Board members — and employees — who wrestle with the question posed by the speaker: “Why are you here?”

For me personally, I am here at United Power to help us build and prepare for the dynamic future ahead. It entails a transition to cleaner — and ultimately lower cost — generating resources. It is a future that will require deploying new and innovative technologies. It is a future that required a change in power suppliers, a new way of doing business, and a significant investment in order to make way for the changing environment. We are on the cusp of massive amounts of electrification and growth, powered by artificial intelligence and coupled with more direct interaction with our members.

This is not change for the sake of change, and there is certainly a cost to moving to this new world. But, just as the founders of United Power (then called Union REA) decided 85 years ago, the future was worth the investment. Rate increases are not any easier now than they were then, but they are a necessary part of being prepared and moving the cooperative ahead.

So, why are we here? The team at United Power is here to win every day. We are present at community events, present in industry forums, and present in working to make sure legislation and regulation support the vision outlined in Our Cooperative Roadmap. Employees at United Power are present to ensure reliable electricity is available for our members 24/7/365, or as close to that goal as possible. These are not passive actions. By definition the actions we are taking ensure a continued, robust future for our growing membership base. These actions are to keep electricity flowing.

Being present to win means we will be able to stabilize power prices, take advantage of coming energy markets, escape the burden of coal, and deploy new technologies, like battery storage, in a hyper-localized fashion. Being present to win means we will be there for our members for the long term with electricity and services that support the economic growth and vitality of our communities. Being present means we are HERE FOR GOOD. 

As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I am honored to work for United Power and serve our members. I enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your continued support.