Funds will facilitate significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

United Power is pleased to announce that it is a finalist for the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service. The New ERA investment will be used to offset the cost of United Power’s transition to a strategic portfolio of clean energy that includes power purchase agreements that will provide more than 760 megawatts of renewable resources to its members by 2030. 

Last fall, cooperatives across the nation submitted hundreds of proposals for a portion of the $9.7 billion in New ERA Program funds earmarked for projects that reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the cooperatives’ voluntary transformation of rural electric systems in a way that promotes resiliency and reliability of rural electric systems and affordability for their members. 

“We are honored to be named a finalist for such a historic grant from the USDA,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “The New ERA Program represents the first significant funding opportunity of this generation. It will help finance the energy sector’s move to a future with cleaner power generation resources. The timing of this grant award offers an ideal opportunity for United Power and our members, as we continue our transition to an independent electric distribution cooperative, which began May 1 when we exited our former wholesale power provider.”

United Power left its long-standing wholesale power contract in May in order to create a cleaner, more flexible power portfolio for cooperative members. Utilizing multiple power purchase agreements, the cooperative curated a portfolio of solar, hydropower, and wind generation projects estimated to reduce GHG emissions by 2.1 million tons annually. Seven of the cooperative’s projects were submitted for consideration by the USDA with a request for grant funding that will offset 25% of the cost of these power purchase agreements for zero-emissions and renewable energy resources. 

“These funds are the perfect complement to the strategies United Power adopted to advance our clean energy journey,” said Gabriel. “Earlier this year, we deployed multiple battery energy storage systems on the United Power distribution grid, allowing us to provide redundancy on our system while stabilizing power costs. Adding more renewable energy resources to our mix will continue to build on this pioneering vision.”

United Power, which serves more than 112,000 meters on Colorado’s northern front range, sought more flexibility in its power supply mix and an ability to work more closely with local members interested in generating their own power. The cooperative is already an industry leader for its significant penetration of rooftop solar – approximately 12,000 United Power members have adopted this technology. The cooperative is also an active advocate for hyper-localized generation resources necessary for its transition to the distribution system operator model. 

Colorado’s climate action plan is also driving change statewide, challenging numerous sectors to aggressively tackle GHG emissions. The state is calling for utilities, like United Power, to submit clean energy plans that demonstrate a reduction in GHG emissions by 80% from 2005 levels and end the reliance on coal-fired power generation by 2030. 

“United Power is not the typical electric distribution cooperative,” said Ursula J. Morgan, United Power Board Chair. “Our service territory is experiencing incredible growth, new businesses are looking for ways to partner with us to provide cleaner power, and our local governance structure allows us to be nimble and responsive to meet our members’ needs. Cooperatives transformed the way of life in rural America when they stretched power lines across the country nearly 100 years ago, and today we are transforming our power supply by implementing the decarbonization efforts as laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap. The New ERA investment will have an immediate positive impact on these efforts while helping to stabilize rates in future years for all United Power members.”

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.
 

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 – United Power, Inc. is partnering with Kindle Energy LLC (Kindle) to add 162 megawatts (MW) of peaking natural gas capacity on its system in Keenesburg, CO. As the state of Colorado transitions away from coal-fired energy production, this project will provide United Power greater flexibility when power costs are at their highest and ensure reliability and resource adequacy in times of low renewable energy production and extreme weather conditions.

“The integration of this peaking natural gas unit is key to our ongoing energy transition,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “To remain responsive to our members’ needs as we move away from a single wholesale power supplier, this project will provide the necessary flexibility we need on our system. It is just one more tool in our toolbox that will help us better meet the varied needs of our members and provide more predictable costs in the future.”

The natural gas units will be installed at the Mountain Peak Power plant in Keenesburg, which is adjacent to United Power’s Tesla Substation. The proximity of a natural gas pipeline to the substation property was key to making this installation an economical one for the cooperative, and a quicker construction project for Kindle Energy. Additionally, the unit is considered “hydrogen-ready,” which means it is also designed to run on fuels with hydrogen content once commercially viable, increasing the unit’s versatility. When in operation, which is planned for June 2025, Mountain Peak Power is expected to deliver up to 162 MW, to support the ongoing energy transition in the state. 

Lee Davis, CEO of Kindle Energy, said, “Kindle is excited to partner with United Power on the Mountain Peak Power project, supporting their transition to cleaner energy sources. The Mountain Peak Power project is important to Kindle because it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bring strong solutions with flexible, reliable generation to support the ongoing transition to a greener energy portfolio.”

United Power transitioned away from a single wholesale power supplier in May of this year, with a vision to create a more flexible power delivery system that would provide cooperative members with predictable costs and allow for the integration of various local energy sources. In addition to this peaking unit, the cooperative has invested in batteries at eight substations throughout the service territory to help balance load during high use periods and to provide critical back up generation.

“We appreciate how quickly Kindle is able to make this installation a reality,” said Gabriel. “Thanks go out to all our working partners at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and leaders in Weld County for their coordination and foresight.” 

To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and our varied sources of power, visit the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.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. 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.

About Kindle Energy

Kindle Energy is a power generation development and asset management firm based in Princeton, NJ.  With over 11GW currently under management, Kindle Energy offers customized approaches to investing in, operating, and managing power generation assets in North America. Supporting Utilities, Co-Ops, Municipals and other energy facility owners, Kindle Energy is focused on providing creative solutions to the complex energy issues of today to allow customers to focus on their core business.

Please visit https://kindle-energy.com/ to see more details.

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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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