1. 01/23/2019 - 03:46 PM
    Title Board Approves Rate Changes /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2018_NL_RateChange.png?itok=gFqrUl6M Monday | December 3, 2018 Card Teaser United Power’s Board of Directors approved a rate change for 2019 that separates energy and demand charges and includes a modest 1.5-2% rate increase for most members. New Rates will be Effective Jan. 1, 2019 United Power’s Board of Directors approved a rate change for 2019 that separates energy and demand charges and includes a modest 1.5-2% rate increase for most members. The new rates will be effective with January 1, 2019 electric use, so members will see these changes reflected on their February 2019 bills.  Since the cooperative began using the advanced metering infrastructure several years ago, we are now able to better measure every member’s impact on the electric system. The new rates break apart the blended rate members have paid in the past, incorporating both an energy charge and a demand charge.  The new rates allow United Power to more fairly charge members for both their energy consumption and their impact on the delivery grid.  “We always weigh multiple factors when considering a rate change,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Director of Power Supply and Rates. “The board takes several months to really evaluate our extensive cost of service study, and then considers our budget when setting rates for the coming year.  We are pleased that the rate increase is small, and that members will have more ways to manage their energy bill.” There have been multiple articles in previous issues of the United Newsline talking about how demand is determined, and how to reduce it. Additionally, the actual demand was added to most bills earlier this year with a zero amount, so members could begin to see how their actions affect their demand.   The new rate structure will assign a one-dollar per kW charge to the demand component, and members will see a corresponding drop in the cost of the energy. Now members can affect their electric bill in two different ways – reducing their demand by staggering their use of appliances and by simply using less energy. So, while rates are increasing next year, the change in the rate structure gives members more power to control their bill than in the past. The changes to the rates affect all existing residential, time of use and small commercial rates. The rate change also includes the addition of a new Smart Choice Rate that takes the demand concept a step further.  This new Smart Choice Rate provides two different peak demand charges, and a much lower energy charge than with any other rate. The higher demand charges and lower energy charges may work well for a member who is willing to shift their demand throughout the day and night, and actively monitor their use.  In the past year United Power has rolled out access to the Power Portal, a way for members to look at their energy use in near real time (Read more about the Power Portal). The portal provides information about how the member is using power in 15-minute increments.  This is a powerful tool to help members manage their energy use and see how they are impacting the power grid. Used in tandem with the demand rates, the Power Portal will provide the information members need to make good energy choices. “By using the Power Portal and monitoring how they use appliances in their homes, members will have a greater ability to manage their energy costs than at any time in the past,” stated Hubbuck. “We think we have a new rate structure that really meets the needs of our members – whether they want to take an active role in keeping their costs down, or if they simply want a fair rate they don’t have to think about.”
  2. 11/12/2020 - 01:03 PM
    Board Commits Additional $300,000 to Co-op Cares Fund Thursday | November 12, 2020 United Power's board of directors approved an additional $50,000 to add to the original allocation earlier this year and $250,000 more to help members in 2021. Read more >
  3. 05/11/2022 - 10:25 AM
    Title Board Directors Earn NRECA Certificates /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/0_DirectorElection.jpg?h=45932144&itok=gRwpyf9E Wednesday | May 11, 2022 Card Teaser Five Directors Earn Gold Certificate; Two Earn Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate Five Directors Earn Gold Certificate; Two Earn CCD United Power’s Board of Directors is committed to continuing education opportunities that enable them to govern the cooperative more effectively and stay informed about industry changes. In the past few months, several directors have completed or renewed director certifications through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The cooperative’s two newest directors, Stephen Whiteside and Brad Case, received their Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificates late last year, and Dave Rose earned his Director Gold certification. Directors Tim Erickson, James Vigesaa, Ginny Buczek, and Elizabeth Martin have also recently renewed their Director Gold certificates. NRECA’s three-step Director Education Program is designed to teach essential skills and knowledge through a series of educational courses. The first step in the process is the CCD, which helps prepare directors to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials on behalf of their membership. Once the program has been completed, directors can proceed to the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). Directors who have completed both the CCD and BLC, plus an additional three BLC credits, are eligible to earn Director Gold certification. To maintain Director Gold certification, directors must earn at least three credits from approved continuing education courses within a two-year period. All of United Power’s directors are committed to achieving the highest levels of certification and professional training for the benefit of the cooperative and the members they represent. As of February, all eleven directors have completed at least the CCD certification and nine directors have received Director Gold certification.
  4. 12/16/2019 - 03:54 PM
    Title Board of Director Petitions Now Being Accepted /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/0_DirectorElection.jpg?h=45932144&itok=gRwpyf9E Monday | December 16, 2019 Card Teaser The deadline for nominations by petition is Friday, February 14, 2020 by 4:00 p.m. Four Board Seats Up for Election Four positions on United Power’s eleven-member board are up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds in Brighton. One seat in the East, West, South and Mountain districts will be up for a three-year term. To be eligible to become or remain a director, a person must be a United Power member and receive electric service from United Power at the member’s primary residence in the district he or she represents. United Power’s bylaws provide in-depth information on director districts, qualifications, terms, elections, meetings and officers. Each member’s district is printed on their United Power statement. Nominations by written petition must state nominee’s name and district, be signed by 15 or more United Power members, and be filed with the board no less than 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The deadline for nominations by petition is 4 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2020. Petitions are available at United Power’s headquarters office in Brighton at 500 Cooperative Way. Additional information can be obtained by calling United Power’s executive department at 303-659-0551 or by visiting our Annual Meeting page. See attached flyer below for more information.  2020 Annual Meeting & Director Election Wednesday, April 15, 2020 4:30 p.m. | Registration Opens 6:30 p.m. | Balloting Closes & Meeting Begins Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601 Balloting Deadlines February 14, 2020 | Direction Nominations by Petition Deadline at 4 p.m. April 13, 2020 | Mail-in Ballots must arrive at the P.O. Box by 6 a.m. April 15, 2020 | Ballot Drop-Boxes at offices close at 2 p.m. April 15, 2020 | Ballot Drop Box Open from 12-4 p.m. at the Riverdale Regional Park and Fairgrounds Candidate Forums Attend a Meet the Candidate Forum to learn more about each of the candidates vying to serve on the Board of Directors. The following events are free to members. Light refreshments will be served. RSVPs are not required.   Thursday, March 19, 2020 | 6:30 p.m.  Carbon Valley Service Center 9586 E I-25 Frontage Road, Longmont, CO 80504 Friday, March 20, 2020 | 7:30 a.m. Coal Creek Canyon Community Center 3158 Highway 72, Golden, CO 80403 Monday, March 23, 2020 | 6:30 p.m. Riverdale Regional Park Rendezvous Room, located in Waymire Dome 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601 Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 7:30 a.m. Fort Lupton Recreation Center Multi-Purpose Room 3 203 S. Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton, CO 80621 *Dates and locations may be subject to change.   
  5. 11/07/2019 - 04:07 PM
    Title Board to Consider Rate Adjustment for 2020 /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2019_NL_Rates.jpg?itok=QTKasCT1 Monday | November 4, 2019 Card Teaser The United Power Board meets for its Regulatory Meeting on Nov. 8, 2019. Annual Regulatory Meeting Planned for November 8, 2019 Meeting Agenda Every year, the United Power board takes a deep dive into the rates we charge for electricity and considers both the revenue requirements of the cooperative and the anticipated load growth for the cooperative in setting rates for the upcoming year. The United Power board will be considering some adjustments in current rates and adding an additional rate for 2020 at its November 8 Regulatory Meeting. Recommendations from staff for the upcoming year include a modest 1.5-2% increase for residential members. Similar to last year’s rate changes, the adjustment being proposed would slightly increase the demand component and reduce the cost of energy. In 2019, the cooperative incorporated a demand charge into their residential rate, while reducing the cost of energy. “When United Power rolled out the advanced metering infrastructure several years ago, we were able to collect better data about how each member uses power in their home or business,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Director of Power Supply and Rates. “Using this data, we constructed a rate that considers not only how much power a member consumes, but we can also measure their impact on the grid that supplies that power. By breaking apart these separate components members are billed more accurately for their use and impact.” The rate structure not only allowed the cooperative to charge members more fairly for their impact on the electrical system, but it also put more power into the hands of members to control their costs by shifting the way they use electricity in their homes. For instance, by spreading out the use of household appliances like dryers and dishwashers through the course of the day, members can have a direct impact on their demand and reduce their costs. This year, the board is also considering a new rate that would help lessen the impact on members who utilize electric heating technology in their homes. Homes utilizing electric thermal storage units experienced a larger impact from the rate change in 2019 when compared with the average household. A group of members concerned about the increase met with staff and board members to voice their concerns and ask the board to consider their unique situation. “One of the best things about being served by a cooperative is that members have direct access to their regulators – the board of directors,” stated Hubbuck. “In response to our members concerns we hosted public meetings, and the new rate being considered in November is in response to these meetings.” The changes are planned to be in effect for consumption beginning January 1, which means members would see the changes on their February bills. Once the rate adjustments are decided, the changes will be communicated via the United Newsline and on the cooperative’s website.
  6. 01/24/2019 - 10:51 AM
    Title Bright Lights and Shiny Trucks /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_BrightLights.png?itok=0AyA7FHH Thursday | January 3, 2019 Card Teaser In December, United Power featured its festive, hand-built holiday float, “Christmas Time is Here” in parades in Hudson and Brighton, both communities served by the cooperative. United Power likes to show its colors during the holiday season. In December, United Power featured its festive, hand-built holiday float, “Christmas Time is Here” in parades in Hudson and Brighton, both communities served by the cooperative.  Employees worked together to build and decorate a 20-foot trailer with approximately 6,000 lights, more than a dozen holiday-themed props and plenty of spirit to light up the streets.  The float debuted in Hudson’s holiday parade, hauled by one of United Power’s newly wrapped work trucks, which was wrapped in colorful LED lights. In Brighton, the cooperative debuted its restored 1939 Chevrolet pickup, painted a bright candy red, at the city’s 23rd annual Parade of Lights, celebrating United Power’s 80-year history connecting its members.  United Power was also proud to roll it’s safety demo truck in Keenesburg’s inaugural holiday parade, Christmas in Keenesburg.   
  7. 01/23/2019 - 11:07 AM
    Title Camp, Cabins and Cooperatives /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Sept2018_NL_YouthCamp.png?itok=Pn5sPKfP Monday | September 3, 2018 Card Teaser Each summer, United Power selects youth who stand out from among their peers to represent the coop for a week in the mountains of northwest Colorado, immersing themselves in learning the value of cooperatives. Each summer, United Power selects youth who stand out from among their peers to represent the coop for a week in the mountains of northwest Colorado, immersing themselves in learning the value of cooperatives. With more than 100 fellow leaders from Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Wyoming, campers are able to craft new friendships and develop leadership skills they can model in their schools and communities back home.  The 2018 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp isn’t a camp in the traditional sense. There are no tents, no campfires, no s’mores. While there is time for fun, there’s much to cover and little time to do it during the weeklong camp. A lot of time and effort goes on behind the scenes to piece together an experience that is both challenging and entertaining for those attending, and it begins as soon as the buses and vans roll in to deposit campers from their respective cooperatives.  On Day 1, campers were ushered into a valley in an outcropping behind the cluster of cabins where they would begin the process of establishing and managing their own cooperative for the week, including the selection of a Board of Directors, selecting a general manager and holding regular meetings with their “members.” In between, days are filled with cooperative-focused activities, leadership training and collaborative group projects. Being a part of a cooperative isn’t all business all the time, however. Whether it was building camaraderie while rafting down the Colorado River, enjoying the breathtaking views atop Mt. Werner or competing in the annual volleyball tournament, there were ample opportunities built in for taking a break and having fun.  This summer, two area youth represented United Power at the Youth Leadership Camp: Brooklyn Stubby, of Mapleton Early College, and Catera Gagna, of Brighton High School. Applications for the 2019 Youth Leadership Camp will be available at the end of 2018. Visit www.unitedpower.com to learn more. 
  8. 08/06/2026 - 09:58 AM
    Title Capital Credits are Your Piece of the Pie /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/CapCredits%20%282099%20x%201575%20px%29%20%281%29.png?h=a1a94a7a&itok=F6p-xRvF Thursday | August 6, 2026 Card Teaser Capital credit payouts will be distributed beginning at the end of August.  The United Power Board of Directors approved a $4.5 million capital credit retirement this year.  United Power is more than your local electric utility, and you are more than a customer. The decisions United Power makes are not to satisfy investors or generate profits, but to serve members and communities, ensure the system is well maintained, and to deliver safe and reliable power that members rely on. This focus on people instead of profits is one of the benefits that makes cooperative membership different. Another benefit that sets membership apart is the retirement of capital credits. If you are new to the cooperative or unfamiliar with capital credits, these represent your investment in the co-op. Here is how capital credits work:Becoming a Member You become a United Power member-owner the moment you activate your electric service with the cooperative. As a member, you have unique privileges, one of which is the principle of economic participation. A portion of each electric bill you pay goes toward the cooperative’s operation and infrastructure, representing your ownership stake. Capital Credit Allocation Each spring, any funds remaining after all expenses are paid from the prior year are allocated to members. Your allocation represents your ownership in the cooperative (i.e., the amount of money you have invested in the electric system based on your electric consumption — generally meaning your allocation will be larger if you consumed more energy). The funds are tracked, but not accessible in cash form. You are notified of your allocation amount on your bill in May or June each year. Capital Credit Retirement The Board of Directors carefully assesses the cooperative’s financial condition each year and determines if a capital credit retirement is feasible. This year, the Board approved a $4.5 million retirement with distribution beginning at the end of August. Anyone who had service in 2025 or earlier will be eligible. Payouts will be issued as a bill credit if they are less than $50 and will arrive as a check if more than $50.  Learn more about capital credits or call 303-637-1300 to speak with a Member Services Representative.  
  9. 07/20/2026 - 01:00 PM
    Title Capital Credits are Your Piece of the Pie /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/July2018_NL_CapitalCredits.png?h=45932144&itok=hasGX8gL Tuesday | July 7, 2026 Card Teaser United Power returning $4.5 million to members in 2026. United Power is more than your local electric utility, and you are more than a customer. The decisions United Power makes are not to satisfy investors or generate profits, but to serve members and communities, ensure the system is well maintained, and to deliver safe and reliable power that members rely on.  This focus on people instead of profits is one of the benefits that makes cooperative membership different. Another benefit that sets membership apart is the retirement of capital credits. If you are new to the cooperative or unfamiliar with capital credits, these represent your investment in the co-op. Here is how it works:  Becoming a Member You become a United Power member-owner the moment you activate your electric service with the cooperative. As a member, you have unique privileges, one of which is the principle of economic participation. A portion of each electric bill you pay goes toward the cooperative’s operation and infrastructure, representing your ownership stake.  Capital Credit Allocation Each spring, any funds remaining after all expenses are paid from the prior year are allocated to members. Your allocation represents your ownership in the cooperative (i.e., the amount of money you have invested in the electric system based on your electric consumption — generally meaning your allocation will be larger if you consumed more energy). The funds are tracked, but not accessible in cash form. You are notified of your allocation amount on your bill in May or June each year.  Capital Credit Retirement The Board of Directors carefully assesses the cooperative’s financial condition each year and determines if a capital credit retirement is feasible. This year, the Board approved a $4.5 million retirement with distribution beginning at the end of August.  Anyone who had service in 2025 or earlier will be eligible. Distributions will be issued as a bill credit if they are less than $50 and will arrive as a check if more than $50. Learn more about capital credits or call 303-637-1300 to speak with a Member Services Representative.
  10. 10/14/2019 - 02:39 PM
    Title Careers in Energy Week /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CareersInEnergy_web_header.png?itok=2OLwZntj Monday | October 14, 2019 Card Teaser Celebrating the People Behind Your Power Oct. 14-20 Careers in Energy Week is Oct.14-20, 2019 and celebrates the workforce that provides a vital service to our communities and to raise awareness of the rewarding careers available in the energy industry. From line workers to construction project managers to electrical engineers and beyond, these men and women work tirelessly to ensure that businesses and homes across the country always have the energy they need. To celebrate the people behind your power, we’ve featured a small sampling of the many employees who have found careers in energy at your local electric cooperative. Jared Senior Planning Engineer United Power’s engineering team is hard at work behind the scenes designing a system able to efficiently deliver reliable power to our members. That includes monitoring system performance and forecasting for growth and future load – the amount of energy the cooperative must distribute to provide enough power for all our members. “There’s never a dull moment working in the field of power engineering. We get to work with large scale projects that set the direction for the future of the cooperative. Advances in system software allow us to better map our system, identify and resolve weaknesses and put in redundancies to ensure our system is better equipped to deliver reliable power to members. Technological innovations allow us to more quickly identify and isolate faults (outages), reducing the impact of events. It’s kind of like solving a complex puzzle, but that’s what makes it exciting. There’s a lot of opportunity in the power industry for young, talented engineers to come in and have an immediate impact.” Kirsten Senior Right-of-Way Agent When United Power builds new infrastructure – the lines, poles, and equipment that deliver power to our members – we work within existing agreements with cities or counties or obtain new agreements with property owners to build on that property. Our right-of-way agents are responsible for obtaining those permissions so we can build our infrastructure safely, affordably and efficiently. “Working in right of way, you’re going to meet a lot of people and work on a lot of different kinds of projects. No two projects are the same, and that means being willing to learn about new industries. It requires a level of conscientiousness, accuracy and an ability to negotiate effectively. I’m thankful for the mentors I’ve had and the professional organizations I’ve been a part of along the way, but also those I’ve been able to mentor.” Eliana Energy Management Specialist United Power’s energy management specialists are available to help empower members to take control of their energy usage. Through carefully researched energy audits, our team educates members about what behaviors are having the biggest impact on their usage, how small changes can save them time, energy and money, and what programs the cooperative offers to help them make those changes. “You can never assume you know what the member needs. Listening is crucial because every member is trying to find solutions for their own unique challenges, and sometimes they don’t realize the solution can be simple and easy. Asking the right questions helps us narrow down their true needs. Our goal is to craft a positive member experience that leaves them armed with the information necessary to make meaningful changes to their energy usage.” Bryce Project Coordinator II When new development moves into United Power’s service territory, our project managers and coordinators work with those developers to facilitate the electrical system design and construction process from start to completion, while also coordinating conversation across teams inside and outside the cooperative. “Our ultimate responsibility is to ensure we design an electrical route that meets both our system’s needs and our member’s needs. We begin that process by meeting with members and obtaining detailed project plans to pass along to designers. To succeed in this field, you need to be able to adapt quickly to different situations, wear multiple hats and stay organized. Our digital-first approach to new construction projects has made managing jobs quicker, easier and more efficient, but we still prioritize meeting with members. Each day I’m able to see or do something different to help a member resolve their needs. It’s also been exciting to see some of the new development moving into our territory.” Brittany Apprentice Lineman - Step 5 United Power lineworkers are responsible for maintaining the lines, poles, and equipment that deliver power to our members. In the event of an outage, they are our “boots on the ground” working diligently to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. They work in high voltage and often dangerous situations, regardless of the weather. For them, linework is something of a passion project. “If you decide to go into linework, you have to know it’s something you want to do. Not many people are getting into it because it’s challenging, but if you love what you’re doing and are willing to stick it out no matter what, you can do it. It just takes time. If you’re a woman interested in going into linework, don’t be intimidated. You’re going to have to work harder and find different techniques that work for you, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. If it’s something you really want to do, you can do it.” Energy jobs offer promising opportunities to both experienced workers and those just starting their careers. These jobs are active, hands-on, rewarding, and available in every state, in an industry that is stable and growing. Learn more at www.getintoenergy.com. United Power offers competitive salaries and first-class benefits for nearly 200 energy-related positions. If you’d like a rewarding career at a member-owned electric cooperative where we power what matters to over 93,000 members who live, work and play in our rapidly growing service territory, visit www.unitedpower.com/careers to view current openings.
  11. 12/18/2019 - 01:23 PM
    Title Careful with Space Heaters this Winter /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2019_NL_Heater.jpg?itok=DUXMvcho Wednesday | December 18, 2019 Card Teaser Although space heaters are safe to use indoors because they don’t require combustion, they still pose burn and fire hazards and should be used with caution. When used safely and properly, portable space heaters provide a nice relief from the frigid chills of winter temperatures, which can often invade poorly insulated or ventilated rooms in older homes. Although space heaters are safe to use indoors because they don’t require combustion, they still pose burn and fire hazards and should be used with caution.  Before operating, review the manufacturer’s instructions, including warning labels. Space heaters may seem like simple, easy to use electronics, but each brand and version has its own unique quirks and features. It’s better to be safe than sorry. After reviewing the instructions, inspect the space heater for cracks or broken plugs.  Next, be sure to place the heater in a safe location. They should be located at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as clothing and other fabrics, papers, rugs, etc. Do not place space heaters on furniture, such as chairs or tables. Place heaters on a firm, flat location on the ground away from heavily trafficked areas.  Space heaters place a heavy load on an outlet. For this reason, do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet. Extension cords or power strips could also overheat and result in a fire, so plug the heater directly into the wall outlet.  Most importantly, never leave space heaters unattended. Turn it off before you leave a room or go to sleep, and don’t let animals or children play too close to the heater. When you’re done using the space heater, always unplug it and store it safely.  Space Heater Sticker Shock Winter weather has arrived just in time to greet us for the holidays, and that means the cold temperatures that accompany it have also arrived. Heating is our biggest energy consumer in the winter, and when you are able to do it efficiently, you’ll notice savings on your bill.  Unfortunately, try as we might, some rooms in our homes just don’t seem to stay as warm as others, whether that’s a room away from the furnace in an older home or a large open room that just needs a little extra warmth in the winter.  A nice, cozy solution for providing some additional warmth in these rooms can be to use a portable space heater. However, the cost of using one of these heaters can add up quickly over the course of a few days if you’re not careful. Space heaters are big consumers of electricity, most commonly sold as either 750- or 1500-watt models at retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s.  Using your space heater for as little as two hours per day over the course of a month can end up costing you nearly $10 extra on your monthly energy bill. The more hours your space heater is operating, the faster those extra charges add up. Before you consider space heaters to solve your heating issues, try addressing some of these alternatives. 
    • Search and seal. Cool air can find small cracks to get through. Sealing and caulking windows, doors and floors helps keep rooms free of cold air.
    • Insulate. Upgrade your insulation or add to your existing insulation to trap more warm air in your home. 
    • Install storm windows. These provide an added layer of insulation, which helps retain more heat.
     
  12. 01/24/2019 - 11:07 AM
    Title Celebrating Innovation /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_Celebrating%20Innovation.png?itok=WDRmBqup Tuesday | December 18, 2018 Card Teaser United Power held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December to celebrate its newly energized battery storage facility and the cooperative’s continued commitment to adopting and implementing innovative technology. United Power held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December to celebrate its newly energized battery storage facility and the cooperative’s continued commitment to adopting and implementing innovative technology.  Currently the largest utility-scale battery storage facility in Colorado, the Tesla PowerPack battery system, built in collaboration with ENGIE North America, is expected to save the cooperative roughly $1 million annually in wholesale capacity charges. Energy generated from all sources on United Power’s grid will be stored during low-demand hours to be discharged during high-peak periods throughout the year.  “As a co-op, we have an obligation to our communities and members to continue scanning the horizon and exploring innovative technologies that help distribute affordable and reliable power,” said Jerry Marizza, United Power’s New Business Director. “When we stop looking ahead, that’s when we start falling behind. We hope to continue setting the bar for other utilities to follow.” The system has the capacity to store and distribute up to four megawatts of energy, or enough to power up to 700 homes simultaneously. Size and duration of the batteries used was determined during a study of United Power’s monthly load profile in early 2018. “Energy storage is the next logical step to integrating more renewables into the grid,” said Marizza. “As long as people want to watch television at night, renewables can’t provide 100 percent of energy needs without storage.” Over the past few years, United Power has added other innovative and renewable projects to benefit its members. From Colorado’s first community solar farm to methane gas collection at the Erie landfills, these projects make economic sense for our members while providing reliable power.