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.

###
 

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.

###

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.

###
 

United Power's offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Our dispatch center and crews remain on-call 24 hours per day for outages and emergencies.

Members can access their account online, or pay by phone by calling 866-999-4485 24 hours per day. 

We hope all of our members enjoy a relaxing and safe 4th of July holiday.

I recently attended a conference for cooperative CEOs and board directors. The keynote speaker asked a rhetorical question of the audience: “Why are you here?” An admonition we are all familiar with, often seen on raffle tickets, followed the question: “Must be present to win.”

Both the question and the advice resonated with me, so much so that I asked my senior staff that very question. We spent time talking about the importance of being present — in our communities and with our employees — especially given the monumental changes we are seeing in the electric industry, as well as the new day we are now operating under at United Power as an independent distribution cooperative.

People come to work at an electric cooperative for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, we come to make a difference for our friends, neighbors, businesses, and communities. Many United Power employees have decades of service; others, like myself, come after years of seeing different ways utilities provide electricity — the most critical commodity after air and water — to their members and customers. I truly believe the cooperative model is the best way to deliver this valuable resource. We are attracted to a place like United Power to bring critical change in an exciting and transformational time. 

The same holds true for our Board of Directors, who come from all walks of life and different backgrounds, giving their time for the betterment of the communities we serve. Being on a board, especially one that has made some difficult and challenging decisions to ensure the continued viability of our cooperative for the future, is not easy. I am sure there are United Power Board members — and employees — who wrestle with the question posed by the speaker: “Why are you here?”

For me personally, I am here at United Power to help us build and prepare for the dynamic future ahead. It entails a transition to cleaner — and ultimately lower cost — generating resources. It is a future that will require deploying new and innovative technologies. It is a future that required a change in power suppliers, a new way of doing business, and a significant investment in order to make way for the changing environment. We are on the cusp of massive amounts of electrification and growth, powered by artificial intelligence and coupled with more direct interaction with our members.

This is not change for the sake of change, and there is certainly a cost to moving to this new world. But, just as the founders of United Power (then called Union REA) decided 85 years ago, the future was worth the investment. Rate increases are not any easier now than they were then, but they are a necessary part of being prepared and moving the cooperative ahead.

So, why are we here? The team at United Power is here to win every day. We are present at community events, present in industry forums, and present in working to make sure legislation and regulation support the vision outlined in Our Cooperative Roadmap. Employees at United Power are present to ensure reliable electricity is available for our members 24/7/365, or as close to that goal as possible. These are not passive actions. By definition the actions we are taking ensure a continued, robust future for our growing membership base. These actions are to keep electricity flowing.

Being present to win means we will be able to stabilize power prices, take advantage of coming energy markets, escape the burden of coal, and deploy new technologies, like battery storage, in a hyper-localized fashion. Being present to win means we will be there for our members for the long term with electricity and services that support the economic growth and vitality of our communities. Being present means we are HERE FOR GOOD. 

As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I am honored to work for United Power and serve our members. I enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your continued support.
 

As a reminder, rates were adjusted for all rate classes beginning with June 1 electric usage. Some billing cycles include billing dates that span from May to June, so billing statements issued in June will reflect energy usage billed at two different rates - delineated as different lines. 

To clearly differentiate energy usage and the per kWh rate billed, a separate line item will appear on bills for energy used before June 1, and another line item for energy used on June 1 and beyond. Bills for members on Time of Day rates will include added lines for the two on-peak and off-peak rates over the billing cycle. 

These additional line items will only appear on statements billed during the rate transition and member bills will resume to the standard format moving forward. If you have additional questions about the current rates, please visit www.unitedpower.com/rates or call United Power’s member services team at 303-637-1300.

Líneas adicionales en las facturas durante la transición de tarifas

Como recordatorio, se ajustaron las tarifas de todas las clases tarifarias a partir del consumo eléctrico del 1.o de junio. Algunos ciclos de facturación incluyen fechas de facturación que abarcan de mayo a junio, por lo que las facturas emitidas en junio reflejarán el consumo de energía facturado a dos tarifas diferentes, detalladas en líneas distintas. 
Para diferenciar claramente el consumo de energía y la tarifa por kWh facturada, verá la energía utilizada antes del 1.o de junio y la energía utilizada a partir del 1.o de junio en dos líneas separadas. Las facturas para los clientes con tarifas Time of Day incluirán líneas adicionales para las dos tarifas de horas pico y no pico durante el ciclo de facturación. 
Estas líneas adicionales solo aparecerán en las facturas emitidas durante la transición de tarifas. Después de esta transición, las facturas volverán al formato estándar. Si tiene preguntas adicionales sobre las tarifas actuales, visite www.unitedpower.com/rates o llame al equipo de Servicios a los Miembros de United Power al 303-637-1300.

Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2024. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available on the cooperative’s website by December each year. 

2024 scholarship recipients: 

• Harley Baas, Branson School Online, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
  
• Lucas Burela, Brighton High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Lilliana Ritter, Prairie View High School, United Power Technical Scholarship, $1,000
• Rachael Schmidt, Frederick High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Giselle Sixtos, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Alanna Snyder, Horizon High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Skylar Whalen, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500

Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 11 scholarships for $2,000 each, including one “at-large” selection.  

Bright Futures scholarships for 2024 were awarded to Cody Bydalek, Weld Central High School; Elizabeth Clement, Stargate Charter School; Sydney Dawson, Eagle Ridge Academy; Paige Gibbs, Fort Lupton High School; Josh Goodrich, Mead High School; Colt Lanaghen, Mountain Territory; Devyn Nabarrete, Erie High School; Joaquin Rodriguez, Riverdale Ridge High School; Paige Walker, Prairie View High School; Nicholas Aasmundstad-Williams, Frederick High School; and Owen Woodford, Brighton High School. 

More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video commemorating this year’s recipients, can be found here.  

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, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

###

United Power is not Affiliated with any Solar Vendors; Please Contact Us if you have Concerns

United Power is proud to be ranked among the top electric utilities across the country in member-owned rooftop solar installations. In fact, we have surpassed 12,000 net metering agreements. While we empower our members to pursue solar if it suits their energy needs and lifestyle, we do not contract or partner with any company that sells solar panels. 

Some members have recently reported door-to-door salespeople who are claiming to represent the cooperative and are using intentionally misleading promises to persuade members into making costly decisions about installing solar panels. One company, Sign and Shine, has gone a step further and is using the United Power logo in their online advertising efforts. We understand that this may cause confusion, so we are setting the record straight. United Power is not affiliated with this company. If approached by Sign and Shine or any other company claiming to work with or on behalf of United Power, we encourage members to conduct due diligence with the Colorado Secretary of State and the Better Business Bureau. Likewise, members may contact United Power’s Energy Solutions team at 303-637-1300 for information regarding United Power's solar programs or the process to install solar panels on their homes.