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11/18/2022 - 05:55 PM
Title Roadmap: Business Agility & Resilience Through IT/OT Strategy /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EarlyWinter_NL_ITOT.jpg?itok=_zDWqqZ1 Friday | November 18, 2022 Card Teaser The final Roadmap pillar focuses on our information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems strategies. Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap) is United Power’s functional plan for the future, and focuses on four specific pillars the cooperative views as essential to strengthening its position as a leader in the electric industry. In previous newsletters, we have highlighted our commitment to pursing affordable and sustainable power, optimizing our distribution system, and our commitment to member and community engagement. The final Roadmap pillar focuses on our information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems strategies, which allow us to be efficient and functional in maintaining our distribution system. Advancing technologies play a critical role in how United Power responds to and prevents outages. Without the insight computerized systems provide, the cooperative would not be able to see in-depth information about grid performance and conduct targeted maintenance. In a way, this pillar is foundational for meeting the requirements of grid optimization. “United Power has taken an approach of embracing IT,” said Rex Webster, an infrastructure engineer at the cooperative. “It’s where they integrate us into decision making that allows us to shape and guide workflows, processes, and systems.” United Power’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a computerized system that provides the cooperative with information about energy usage. It helps guide grid construction and improvements and ensure sufficient power is delivered where members need it. In many cases, we can use this system to identify and respond to outages before members may even be aware. It is the availability of this infrastructure that also allows us to offer Power Portal to our members, where you can view energy usage in 15-minute segments and make energy-saving habit changes. The implementation of informational technology strategies would not be complete without factoring in the ever-increasing threat to cybersecurity. “We’ve implemented many state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and monitoring services on both our field devices and our corporate networks,” Webster said. Technology is advancing rapidly, and new technology may be on the horizon that offers even greater insight into our distribution system. While we have no way of knowing what may be available tomorrow, our systems are built to adapt as changes take place. We are constantly looking for advantageous options that enable us to better serve our members. “Our Cooperative Roadmap is looking ahead over the next 10 years as we become a more fully functional distribution system operator,” said Reliability Engineer Tyler Bain. “But in reality, we’re already down that path, and we’re already deploying and utilizing the systems that are going to make some of those futuristic thoughts possible today.”09/16/2022 - 10:17 AM
Roadmap: Optimizing Our Distribution System Friday | September 16, 2022 United Power is proud to manage a comprehensive maintenance plan that has produced one of the most reliable systems in the country. Read more >07/07/2022 - 10:25 AM
Roadmap: Providing Flexible, Affordable, Sustainable Power & Services Thursday | July 7, 2022 United Power caught the attention of electric distribution co-ops in April when it filed its non-conditional Notice of Intent to Withdraw from its wholesale power contract with Tri-State. Read more >01/22/2019 - 11:16 AM
Rosie's Moving In Tuesday | May 1, 2018 Butterfly Pavilion, home to Rosie the tarantula, recently announced its plans to construct a new facility in Broomfield, inside United Power's service territory. Read more >12/20/2019 - 11:13 AM
07/21/2021 - 03:59 PM
Safe Tree Trimming Wednesday | July 21, 2021 Observe ten-foot rule to safely trim trees near power lines. Read more >01/22/2019 - 11:27 AM
Title Safe Tree Trimming /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_TreesLines.png?itok=P7zSFkhh Tuesday | May 1, 2018 Card Teaser As trees begin to grow and bud, they may come in contact with power lines, creating confusion about responsibility and concern about member safety. May is National Electrical Safety Month Were you aware tree limbs may become a safety hazard when in contact with power lines? Did you know attempting to trim a tree in contact with a power line puts you in danger of electrocution? Have you ever been uncertain about when and where to trim your trees located near power lines? The warm weather of spring often arrives with May, which is also recognized as National Electrical Safety Month. As trees begin to grow and bud, they may come in contact with power lines, creating confusion about responsibility and concern about member safety. United Power wants to make sure you know the answers to your questions so you can safely tackle your spring yard work. (For quick reference about who’s responsible for maintaining trees near power lines, please read “Who’s Responsible” below.) When you encounter a tree in the vicinity of a primary power line, immediately contact United Power. Avoid trimming when you encounter the following: tree limbs in direct contact with a power line, dead tree limbs hanging near power lines, tree limbs growing toward power lines. Observe the Ten-Foot Rule to safely trim trees on your property located near power lines. This means anything inside that radius may put you at risk. For your safety, United Power will disconnect secondary lines when notified in advance of any tree trimming activity at no cost to the member. Remember to trim only from a steady, level surface, removing small, easy to manage sections. Large tree/branch sections may fall unexpectedly and risk taking down power lines and causing potential injury. If this is not possible, contact a professional tree trimmer. When in doubt about safety or responsibility, please contact United Power at 303-637-1300. We’ll be happy to send out a troubleshooter or one of our tree contractors to assess the situation and keep you safe. Who's Responsible United Power has an aggressive tree trimming program to reduce the number of tree related outages. However, in some cases, the homeowner may be responsible for keeping a line to their home clear of trees. Here is how it works:- United Power is responsible for trimming around primary lines. These are lines running from pole to pole. United Power maintains these lines because they are higher voltage and require special handling from a qualified tree trimming crew.
- Members are responsible for obstructions in secondary lines. These are typically single lines stretching from our pole to a member’s home - often seen in backyards, crossing from the main electric line to the home.
01/22/2019 - 02:18 PM
Title Safe Zones Around Pad-Mounted Transformers /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/June2018_NL_PadTransformer.png?h=45932144&itok=8nsv7dib Friday | June 1, 2018 Card Teaser Though pad-mounted transformers may appear safe to use as workbenches and climbing obstacles, electrical equipment can still pose a risk to anyone who may come in contact with it. Members should always use caution and keep a safe distance. Pad-mounted transformers, those big green utility boxes commonly seen around town, serve the purpose of lowering high voltage to standard household voltage used to power electronics, appliances and lighting. These transformers are not protected in the way overhead lines and substations are. Though they may appear safe to use as workbenches and climbing obstacles, electrical equipment can still pose a risk to anyone who may come in contact with it. Members should always use caution and keep a safe distance. United Power crews also need safe access for repairs and maintenance. Barriers, such as landscaping and fencing, should be kept clear of electrical equipment. While it may be tempting to “camouflage” transformers with landscaping, please remember cooperative crews need at least 10-feet of clearance at the opening of a pad-mounted transformer and four-feet at the rear and sides of the housing. The distance allows crews to safely use tools required for working with energized equipment. It also ensures crews have the ability to move about safely should problems arise. In many newer subdivisions and residential developments pad-mounted transformers are more common – and in many cases are located on consumer property. These transformers are connected to primary high voltage lines, and secondary lines can extend from the transform in several directions underground. Remember this before planting shrubs or trees, setting fence posts, installing sprinkler systems or digging anywhere near a transformer. You should always dial 811 before you dig to ensure lines are located so your project doesn’t disrupt utility service, cause serious injury or worse.03/14/2026 - 08:27 AM
Saturday Outage Restoration Efforts Saturday | March 14, 2026 Updated SATURDAY, March 14, at 4:00 p.m. Read more >09/13/2019 - 03:20 PM
September is National Preparedness Month Wednesday | September 4, 2019 Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month. Read more >09/02/2025 - 10:37 AM
Title September Message from Mark A. Gabriel /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message_85.jpg?h=45932144&itok=fpbFupeq Tuesday | September 2, 2025 Card Teaser A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. There has been a lot of talk recently about “saving” certain forms of electric generation, stopping other types, and investing significant resources in technologies that are not ready for prime time. There have also been announcements about building thousands of miles of new transmission line. When it comes to choices in generation, “all of the above” really needs to be “ALL of the above” if we are going to support electrification across the West and certainly for United Power. We recognize that diversity of resources is key to effectively running the cooperative, and we are taking action to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable electric supply. United Power partnered with Kindle Energy to open Mountain Peak Power in July. It is the newest and most efficient natural gas plant in Colorado. The 162 MW facility in Weld County provides critical electric capacity and is conveniently located near one of our substations that also has an 11 MW battery energy storage system. This project is a great example of our hyper-localization strategy and highlights the vision we laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap. The plant was permitted in 10 months and constructed in 10 months. The same project today would take at least four years to obtain the needed equipment at 50% greater cost. We are also in the final stages of negotiations for an additional 200 MW of solar, bolstered by 150 MW of battery storage, to replace other expiring thermal generation contracts. These will come online in 2027. The solar facility will be among the largest in Colorado, increasing the carbon-free generation resources in our portfolio to nearly 64% and representing a continued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since leaving our former wholesale power supplier in May 2024. The cooperative pioneered the use of distributed batteries with 115 MW spread across our system at nine substations, ranging in size up to 33 MW. Our engineering team has developed a unique way to automatically manage how we charge and deploy stored energy. These batteries are not only utilized to store energy but also provide critical contingency reserves that save United Power approximately $300,000 per month. Recently, United Power joined forces with three other public power utilities — CORE Electric Cooperative, Platte River Power Authority, and Colorado Springs Utilities — to explore creating a regional transmission project, nicknamed Lariat Loop, that will better serve their member-customers. This collaboration aims to reduce electric transmission congestion, enhance system reliability, and expand access to renewable energy sources, all while supporting the State of Colorado’s ambitions carbon reduction goals. Our members are directly involved in the “all of the above” electricity strategy. There are nearly 13,000 solar rooftops in our service territory. We will have a new distributed energy resource management system available in January that will allow additional interaction with our members’ resources such as thermostats and electric vehicles. We are rapidly moving to expand our distribution system operations plan, allowing resources from our larger members, such as oil and gas, to be bid into the Southwest Power Pool market coming in April 2026. The bottom line is quite simple. While we support expanding transmission and investing in future technologies, and applaud efforts to bring a wide range of generation to the West, we must be realistic about what can be done today to support our growing member base. United Power lives the “all of the above” mantra every day. We buy wind. We buy solar. We buy natural gas. We buy hydropower. And yes, at times we even buy coal. Our focus remains on providing the most reliable and responsible resources we can in our commitment to you, our members. As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your continued support.09/05/2023 - 09:20 AM
September Message from Mark. A. Gabriel Tuesday | September 5, 2023 A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. Read more >