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Brighton, CO - United Power was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to begin award negotiations for up to $6.1 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding as part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. The Fort Lupton Microgrid project was selected as one of 17 clean energy projects across 20 states and 30 tribal nations and communities to receive more than $366 million to ensure more reliable power, lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide economic growth opportunities, and support our nation’s rural and remote communities.
“We are excited that this unique project was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy through this program,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, United Power CEO and President. “United Power is in the process of changing our operating structure to invest in more local power generation, and that includes developing energy solutions along with local leadership. United Power has a long history of partnering with the communities we serve to bring them the services their residents need, and this innovative microgrid project is an illustration of that commitment. I encourage all our members to read more about our vision for United Power’s energy future on our Cooperative Roadmap, which can be found at unitedpower.com. Building a cooperative for tomorrow through new energy solutions is a just one of the ways we are showing our members that we are here for good.”
The Fort Lupton Microgrid project was submitted with the goal of increasing the reliability of the city’s municipal water treatment plant. The project will replace an aging diesel generator with a floating photovoltaic array, coupled with battery storage, that will help to ensure a clean, reliable water source for residents of Fort Lupton. The project will bring construction jobs to the area, and United Power is partnering with Aims Community College and the BUENO Centre for Multicultural Education to provide contracting outreach in the community. Schneider Electric will lead the construction of the microgrid, which will improve power resiliency, reduce water evaporation, and help the city deliver reliable water services. The project is eligible for up to $6.1 million in funding.
“We expect this project to increase power redundancy while reducing our costs,” stated Chris Cross, Fort Lupton City Administrator. “We are projecting a 9% savings on the city’s monthly power bill. Coupled with the floating panel benefits to the water storage, we are excited to see how high our overall savings will be from the project.”
“This project captures our drive to revolutionize the energy landscape,” said Jana Gerber, Microgrid President, Schneider Electric North America. “The Fort Lupton microgrid is a perfect complement for our focus on streamlining energy delivery, while providing more sustainable energy solutions. Bringing additional jobs and training opportunities to residents is a key component of the project and will help build the skillsets workers will need in an expanded energy economy.”
Learn more about the ERA program and projects selected for award negotiations here.
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, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 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 the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) was established to accelerate clean energy technologies and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. OCED’s mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. Visit energy.gov/oced to learn more.
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Locally Owned by Those We Serve
United Power, a member-owned utility founded in 1938, provides electric service to more than 95,000 meters, or 250,000 residential, agricultural and business consumers along Colorado’s northern Front Range. The not-for-profit electric cooperative is guided by a member-elected board of directors comprised of eleven directors who serve three-year terms.
Surrounding Denver on three sides, United Power serves 900 square miles along the north central range of the Colorado Rockies. Our service territory wraps around the north and west borders of Denver International Airport and includes the north metropolitan development corridors of Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470.
Cooperative businesses, like United Power, are special because they are owned by the consumers they serve, and they are guided by a set of seven principles that reflect the best interests of those consumers.
All cooperative businesses adhere to these seven guiding principles:
- Voluntary and Open Membership.
- Democratic Member Control.
- Members’ Economic Participation.
- Autonomy and Independence.
- Education, Training, and Information.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives.
- Concern for Community.
United Power purchases wholesale electricity from Tri-State Generation & Transmission. Tri-State is the supplier of electricity to United Power and 41 other customer-owned utilities in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Nebraska.
Currently, wholesale power from Tri-State constitutes more than 77% of our total costs paid by our members. Since 2018 United Power has been actively seeking to reduce our costs for wholesale power, and to have more control over the generation mix of that power.
Our members deserve cleaner, more affordable power. United Power is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electric power, and as a cooperative, we’re always looking out for our member-owners.
United Power has been a leader in innovative and renewable energy projects. From developing the state’s first cooperative solar farm, to several large-scale solar projects, and to operating the state’s largest battery storage facility, we have been driven by what is financially and environmentally best for our members.
We are limited by our Tri-State contract to incorporate any additional renewable energy. United Power has been consistently at the table asking for solutions that give our members what they want. We know our members want more local, renewable power serving their homes and businesses.