Battery capacity key to renewable integration and load stabilization

Brighton, CO — United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Ameresco, Inc. (Ameresco), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announce the signing of a groundbreaking battery storage contract. Under the 20-year agreement Ameresco will install a multiple site, 78.3 MW/313.34 MWh battery storage project on the cooperative’s electric distribution system.

The innovative project will strategically locate battery arrays throughout the cooperative’s service territory to allow United Power to balance its load while integrating renewable resources. The contract is just one of the many steps the cooperative is taking as it plans for the May 1, 2024 departure from its current wholesale power contract.

“The use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power system, and we are excited to be moving ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such a system,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “These battery arrays will allow us to balance our power needs throughout the day and incorporate local renewables more efficiently.”

Ameresco will provide four 11.75 MW and four 7.84 MW battery arrays, which will be located on eight different substation sites owned by United Power. The batteries, sited in Adams, Broomfield, and Weld counties, will enable the cooperative to store and dispatch power during heavy consumption periods. 

“We are thrilled to partner with United Power on this transformational battery storage project,” said Jon Mancini, Ameresco Senior Vice President of Solar Project Development. “By strategically locating distributed resources and battery storage throughout their service territory, United Power will make strides toward achieving a resilient and responsive power system that integrates clean and renewable power resources for their rate base.”

United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek canyons, two of Colorado’s most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.

To learn more about United Power’s power supply transition, visit Power Supply. 

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, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Ameresco

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.

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Denver-based firm to provide key power block for co-op’s future needs

Brighton, CO — United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Guzman Energy (Guzman), a wholesale power provider dedicated to developing portfolios that meet their clients’ needs for economical, reliable power, announce the signing of a 15-year contract to deliver wholesale power to the cooperative. 

The power supply agreement features fixed wholesale power pricing that provides the cooperative predictable and stable power supply costs. Under the agreement, Guzman will deliver approximately one-third of the cooperative’s power needs, beginning in May 2024.

“As we move forward with our plan to diversify our power portfolio, this contract is an important part of our strategy,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Guzman has an excellent track record of providing economical resources for cooperatives, and their commitment to integrating renewables will help us control costs while still keeping our eye on environmental impacts.”

United Power’s planned exit from its current power contract will take place May 1, 2024. The move was motivated by a desire to stabilize power costs and provide greater flexibility to the cooperative and its members.

“Wholesale power continues to be United Power’s largest expense, accounting for over 70% of our costs,” stated Gabriel. “Having more predictable power purchase costs will offer many benefits to United Power members today and into the future.”

“We are proud to contribute to United Power’s efforts to reduce power supply costs, gain greater control over generation mix, and contribute to more local, sustainable energy,” said Robin Lunt, Chief Commercial Officer at Guzman Energy. “We look forward to continued opportunities to support United Power and other cooperatives’ success.” 

United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek Canyons, two of Colorado's most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually. 

To learn more about United Power’s power supply transition, visit Power Supply. 

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, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Guzman Energy

Guzman Energy is a wholesale power provider dedicated to communities in search of affordable and reliable energy. We partner with cooperatives, municipalities, companies, and tribes across North America to customize energy portfolios that make economic and environmental sense for today and tomorrow. Together, we are lighting the way forward. Visit www.guzmanenergy.com.

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Adams County District Court grants Tri-State’s motion for continuance 

Brighton, CO – District Judge Roberto Ramírez issued an order on June 11 that continued the jury trial between United Power, Inc. (United Power) and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) that was set to begin later this month on June 26. 

“It is disappointing for the members of United Power that the breach of contract trial between United Power and Tri-State has been delayed,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. Tri-State asked for a continuance after flooding the court with numerous filings in an attempt to slow the judicial process. As Judge Ramírez noted in reluctantly granting Tri-State’s request to postpone a trial date to which it had agreed to more than a year ago, “The Court agrees with United Power that the bulk of the litigated issues pending before the Court are based on filings associated with Tri-State.”

The case centers around two key issues: whether Tri-State illegally added three non-utility members in order to escape state regulation and whether Tri-State’s failure to provide United Power with a fair exit fee in a timely manner is a breach of contract that precludes Tri-State from enforcing the parties’ contract, allowing United Power the right to withdraw from Tri-State at no cost and with the potential for a substantial damages award against Tri-State.

“Sadly, Tri-State has pursued a strategy of delay in both the state courts and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),” continued Gabriel. “This pattern results in uncertainty for both organizations, raises the costs for United Power members, and delays the time in which our members can get lower cost, cleaner energy for homes and businesses.”

United Power is leaving its wholesale power supplier May 1, 2024 based on FERC requirements. “We are leaving Tri-State next year regardless of the Adams County proceedings,” Gabriel said, adding “this critical case does not go away even with our departure nor does Tri-State’s liability for our members’ substantial damages. Stalling is not to anyone’s benefit.”

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, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Contract will authorize TEA Solutions to coordinate United Power’s growing portfolio of power contracts

United Power, Inc. (United Power) and TEA Solutions entered into an agreement on June 1 to support United Power’s transition to new power suppliers. The Energy Authority (TEA), headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, provides public power entities with strategic perspective on deriving maximum value from their assets, and offers advisory services, advanced analytics, and renewable solutions. TEA Solutions, a sister company of The Energy Authority, was created to serve community-owned utilities such as cooperatives.   

“This agreement marks an important strategic step toward United Power’s new energy future,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “United Power has been dedicated to building a new network of service providers and energy sources for the planned exit from our current power supplier next spring. This marks a vital step in the process, and we are proud to partner with a firm that has the expertise and experience to help us be successful in this significant endeavor.”

“We are honored to be chosen by United Power to be their strategic partner,” stated Joanie Teofilo, President and CEO of The Energy Authority and TEA Solutions.  “We were created to support community-owned utilities and look forward to working with United Power to achieve its mission to provide efficient and reliable power to its members.”

United Power’s exit from its current wholesale power supply contract will be complete May 1, 2024. The cooperative is in the process of securing both the power contracts and strategic expertise necessary to capitalize on the changing energy marketplace, which in turn, will bring considerable value to its members.

“We are working to provide not only reliable power, but power that is more economically priced for our members,” stated Gabriel. “As the energy market expands west, we will be able to take advantage of available resources including clean, renewable energy generation, and increase our investment in local energy generation sources.”

To learn more about how United Power is moving into a new energy future, visit Power Supply. 

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 them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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United Power’s offices will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Members may access account information and make payments online through SmartHub web portal or mobile app. Our operations team remains on-call 24/7 in the event of an outage or emergency. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 30.

We express our gratitude to all military personnel for their supreme sacrifices on this Memorial Day.

Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2023. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 20 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available by December each year. 

2023 scholarship recipients: 

• Kaden Rademacher, Mead High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Gavin Walker, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Lauren Brown, Frederick High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Hayley Howell, Frederick High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Gwendolyn Hanks, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Otis Kindvall, Frederick High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Dylan Leonard, Brighton High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Jolene Her, Prairie View High School, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000

Additionally, United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 12 of these $1,000 scholarships, including four “at-large” selections. 

Dedicated book scholarships for 2023 were awarded to Brooklyn Yates, Brighton High School; Megan Derby, Eagle Ridge Academy; Cullen Aasmund-Williams, Frederick High School; Trisha Hammen, Fort Lupton High School; Gabriel Pemberton, Mead High School; Margaret Anne McEldowney, Prairie View High School; Jaden Atencio, Riverdale Ridge High School; Zayne Blair, Cherokee Trail High School; Grace Finnegan, Holy Family High School; Andrew Sawyer, Stargate Academy; Austin Hane, Northglenn High School; and Bailey Chess, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School. 

More information about United Power’s 2023 scholarship recipients can be found in the May/June issue of the United Newsline.  

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 cooperatives 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, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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