Battery Storage Facility

In November 2018, United Power went live with its much anticipated utility-scale battery storage project at the Carbon Valley Service Center, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119. The project, developed in collaboration with Engie North America, a Chicago-based solar PV and energy storage developer wtih a special focus on serving rural electric cooperatives, the storage facility is the largest of its kind in the state of Colorado and one of the largest cooperative-owned and -operated systems anywhere in the country.

The introduction of battery storage to United Power's portfolio will allow the cooperative to save an expected $1 million each year in wholesale capacity charges. The primary goal for its battery storage facility is peak shaving. 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. The facility also better positions the cooperative to respond to future innovation and development within the energy environment. 

Energy storage is the logical next step for incorporating more renewable generation into the utility system. Storage not only allows energy to be shifted from one period to another (for example, day to night), but also allows a more efficient operation of the distribution grid with the advent of increasingly localized distributive generation. 

"As one of the fastest growing co-ops in Colorado, United Power wants to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating new technology that can help boost reliability and keep costs down," said United Power CEO John Parker. "Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we're excited to be starting now."

A second smaller Tesla battery system rated at .5 MW/4 hours has been commissioned at United Power's Brighton headquarters. 

Methane to Megawatts Project

Platteville Solar Field

When United Power energized the Platteville Solar Farm in November 2017, it was the largest cooperative solar farm in Colorado at 16 megawatts (MWAC), surpassing its own solar farm in Ft. Lupton. It remains the co-op's largest solar field. 

The cooperative again partnered with Silicon Ranch Corporation, which also helped on the Ft. Lupton and Mavericks Solar Farm projects. Silicon Ranch is a leading developer, owner and operator of solar energy plants, and will own and maintain the Platteville Solar Farm. United Power will purchase energy produced by the solar farm over the next 20 years.

The solar farm occupies 175 acres of land, located off County Road 28, just east of Platteville. There are more than 185,000 solar panels operating on technology that allows them to track the sun from east to west, producing enough low-cost, renewable power to serve 3,000 United Power members annually.

Rattlesnake Solar Field

United Power completed construction on its newest solar project in December 2020, again in conjunction with Silicon Ranch. The Rattlesnake Solar Farm is located directly adjacent to the Platteville Solar Farm and provides an additional 6 megawatts of energy to the cooperative's renewable portfolio, roughly the same size as the Mavericks Solar Farm located near Mead. 

Mavericks Solar Farm

Ft. Lupton Solar Farm

In June 2016, United Power energized its second utility-scale solar field four miles east of Ft. Lupton. The project began in late 2014 after the cooperative initiated an effort to incorporate cost-effective renewable energy sources to help meet renewable energy goals. Silicon Ranch Corporation, who owns and operates the farm, partnered with United Power on the project, who will receive all energy produced over a 20-year period. 

The solar farm occupies 90 acres, and features a single-axis tracking system allowing 160,000 panels to follow the sun across its daily arc, generating 25 percent more energy than a traditional fixed panel system. 

The Ft. Lupton Solar Farm generated 13 megawatts, or enough to power more than 2,500 homes and businesses in Weld County. 

Unique Fact: This farm is expected to generate more than 34 million kilowatt hours annually. 

Sol Partners Community Solar Farm

May 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary since United Power energized Colorado's first community solar program, located on a small plot of land at its Brighton headquarters. Panels were available for rent by members who would receive a credit on their statement over a 25-year period. The program was ideal for members who own homes not properly sited for solar installations, those who rent homes, apartments or offices, and anyone interested in purchasing solar panels but could not afford the investment.

The program is currently sold out.

Hangar 160 Solar Field

Hangar 160, powered in December 2012, was the first utility-scale solar field United Power brought online. It took less than 2 months to build the 2.28 MW project using only local contractors.

Located just south of State Highway 7 on Colorado Boulevard, this privately owned solar installation was the largest for any electric cooperative in Colorado at the time. Approximately 7,500 panels are on site, enough to power nearly 500 homes. 

This particular solar installation is tied directly into the local distribution grid. Most utility-scale solar farms are located in remote areas and connect to the utility transmission system hundreds of miles away or connected on-site, such as panels used to power Denver International Airport. 

Unique Fact: The Bonfiglioli 1000 volt inverters used at this location were the first in the United States.

Wind Demonstration Project

In January 2010, United Power installed a wind generation demonstration project near the Gilpin County Recreation Center in partnership with Gilpin County and the CSU Extension Office. The project utilized a 2.1 KW Skystream wind generator, the kind frequently used for residential applications, to demonstrate the feasibility of renewable wind generation. 

In January 2014, the wind turbine was disconnected. During its four years of activity, the turbine produced 4,411 kWhs. 

For information about the demonstration project, contact the CSU Extension Office at 303-582-9106 or visit the CSU Extension website. For more information about United Power’s renewable energy and energy efficiency rebates, contact United Power at 303-637-1300 or click here.