Title
An Exciting Time to Invest in EVs
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_plugin.jpg?h=45932144&itok=UKkauilg
Wednesday | September 23, 2020
Card Teaser
There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Join us on September 27 as we explore all you need to know about electric vehicles.
What once seemed like a hopeful concept for the future has become a reality. Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
“It’s safe to say electric vehicle adoption has far outpaced our expectations,” said Tyler Bain, a United Power electrical engineer and longtime EV driver. “A sizeable number of EV drivers live in United Power’s service territory, and there’s still a lot of opportunity for growth – for both us and potential EV drivers.”
Why has there been so much recent growth in electric vehicles? Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan explains it has a lot to do with understanding and education. Many potential buyers face concerns and hesitations about integrating an electric vehicle into their daily lives.
“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception, which is an incorrect one. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”
Range anxiety, for example, is one of the hardest barriers for people to overcome, Zeid says. He recommends using your vehicle’s trip odometer to calculate how far you commute in a given day, either to and from work or for various other errands. People usually drive far less than they estimate, and that can demonstrate how range anxiety is typically more psychological than reality.
The growth also has to do with pricing and availability. There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Many major car brands have announced new and upcoming electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Some will even come as a trim option on already popular models for a small premium, which can be more than offset by current state and federal rebates and incentives.
Join United Power from September 26 — October 4 for National Drive EV Week as the cooperative and Zeid walk you through the finer points of EV ownership and much more. Follow our journey and find out more at Drive EV Week.
Title
Annual Meeting & Director Election Scheduled for Apr. 18
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_24_AnnualMeetingScheduled.jpg?itok=PXtUwUh6
Wednesday | February 14, 2018
Card Teaser
United Power will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting and Director Election on Wednesday, April 18th at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton.
United Power will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting and Director Election on Wednesday, April 18th at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton. Ballots will be mailed to all members at the end of March. Mail ballots must be received at the Survey and Ballot Systems post office box no later than Monday, April 16, 2018. Members may also drop ballots in a ballot drop-box located at each of United Power’s offices by 2 p.m. on April 18, or vote in person at the Annual Meeting starting at 4:30 p.m.
All United Power members are invited to attend the annual business meeting of the not-for-profit electric cooperative and cast their ballots in the annual director election. Registration opens at 4:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
United Power will host four free Meet the Candidate events so members can learn more about each candidate. More information about dates and times can be found here. Profiles provided by each candidate and detailed voting instructions are included in the ballot packets that will be mailed to members. For more information, visit www.unitedpower.com/annualmeeting or call United Power at 303-659-0551.
Directors run in geographic districts in order to accurately represent United Power members, but they are elected to the board at-large. Members are reminded to vote for one candidate in each of the cooperative’s four director districts.
Title
Are you Prepared for the Next Winter Storm?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/04_10_2019_WinterWeather.png?itok=iD1KskhK
Wednesday | April 10, 2019
Card Teaser
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm severity can vary depending on where you live, but United Power cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm severity can vary depending on where you live, but United Power cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.
Heavy snow and wind can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself:
Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using.
Stay fed – The CDC recommends having several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.
Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down or equipment is damaged. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines or debris in lines, always assume the lines are live. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 303-637-1350 if possible.
Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. United Power is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too. For more winter safety tips, visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
In the event of an outage, please know that our crews are working as quickly as is safely possible to restore your power.
If Your Power is Off
Verify that your entire house is out and that you haven’t just blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker.
If your power remains out for longer than a few minutes, or to report an electrical safety hazard, please call United Power’s Outage Line at 303-637-1350 or login to SmartHub. If the outage is widespread, our phone lines may be busy when you call.
When you call to report an outage, please provide as many details as possible. If you heard a loud bang, or your power is out but your neighbors have power, let us know. The information you supply will help us in our efforts to promptly restore electricity.
Title
Ask the Expert: Electric Vehicle Q&A
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_InsideCar.jpg?itok=eR8_3WD-
Friday | September 25, 2020
Card Teaser
Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan addresses some of the most common concerns and hesitations United Power members may be feeling about the possibility of purchasing an electric vehicle.
Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan addresses some of the most common concerns and hesitations United Power members may be feeling about the possibility of purchasing an electric vehicle:
Can an electric vehicle meet my range needs?
With ranges north of 250 miles, electric vehicles today are more than sufficient to manage the average driver’s daily commute.
Use your trip odometer to monitor a typical day’s commuting. You can more than likely go the whole day without a charge, and charging stations are becoming more accessible if you need a refill.
Where am I suppose to charge my electric vehicle?
Most people can recharge enough using an outlet in their garage overnight, but charging infrastructure is also growing rapidly.
Your home is already equipped to charge your EV overnight—just like you would charge your cell phone. For most vehicles, an electrician can make a simple upgrade to the outlets in your garage to decrease charge times without purchasing any special charging equipment.
What will it do to my electric bill?
Not as much as you might think. And between saving on gas and maintenance, your electric vehicle will be much cheaper to operate.
Li-on batteries are more contained than regular vehicles where the danger is often fires started by spilled fluids.
But aren’t electric vehicles more expensive?
Electric vehicles are a bit more expensive, but with rebates and incentives, they are just as affordable. And don’t forget your other savings.
Several Federal and State tax credits are available for Colorado drivers.
So electric vehicles are affordable, but are they safe?
Electric vehicles often come standard with enhanced safety features that are only available on higher trims or packages of other vehicles.
Use the Savings Calculator on our ChooseEV page to estimate your gas savings, then check out United Power’s Time of Day rate to see how much you can save by charging overnight.
Title
Automated Devices for Better Reliability
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2021_NL_SystemReliability.jpg?h=45932144&itok=twbW3RYA
Monday | November 22, 2021
Card Teaser
United Power’s outage restoration system utilizes a sophisticated network of automated field devices that allow it to respond and resolve outages more quickly..
How Components Work to Reduce Outage Times and Improve Reliability
United Power’s outage restoration system is among the most advanced and innovative in the country. While the cooperative has a national reputation for its forward-thinking beneficial energy projects, behind the scenes it has also dedicated significant resources to improve system reliability and reduce member outage times. The result is one that utilizes a sophisticated network of automated field devices that allow system operators and line crews to respond and resolve outages more quickly while often also preventing larger outages affecting more members.
Automated field devices fall into a varying spectrum from simple to complex, but they all work in conjunction to identify, isolate and, when possible, resolve “faults.” A fault is when the flow of electricity is abnormal or interrupted and can be caused by any number of incidents, such as weather, vegetation or equipment failures. Automated devices detect these faults and respond to them. Each type of device has a different response but all have the same purpose – to keep your lights on.
Fuses are not automated, but they are the simplest and least expensive means of protecting the cooperative’s system from fault damage and preventing larger outages. Fuses are “sacrificial” devices used to isolate small areas. They blow quickly in response to a fault, usually resulting in a relatively small outage impacting only a handful of members while maintaining service to any remaining members downstream of the fault. Line crews are able to quickly and easily replace these devices to restore power. Think of fuses like GFCI outlets in your home. When they detect an abnormal current, they shut off power to protect you.
The next level of protection against faults are reclosers and breakers. Although reclosers and breakers are technically separate devices, they function in similar ways. They protect much larger service areas and can respond to a fault in just a few seconds. This fault response is the most common cause of power “blinks.” When your house lights dim temporarily or you lose power briefly, this is caused by a breaker detecting a fault and responding. Breakers will attempt to reclose automatically to determine if the fault is still present. In the event of a sustained fault, system operators can reclose some breakers remotely once the fault has been cleared, limiting outage times for members impacted. While fuses in your home will shut off power to a single outlet, a breaker will shut off power to entire section of your home when it detects an overloaded circuit.
Switches are another remote device United Power system operators can use to quickly restore power to members affected by an outage. They are used to reroute the distribution of power to restore members while isolating the segment of line with the fault, also known as a redundancy, or the ability to serve members from more than one substation. Before remote switches, lineworkers had to manually activate switches, which required a lot of manpower and guesswork. In most cases, rerouting power with a switcher can restore power to most members within minutes or even seconds. In a few cases, it can restore power to all members. United Power is in the process of upgrading more switches to remote field devices.
System redundancies allow United Power to serve approximately 90 percent of its members from at least two different substations or circuits. The cooperative is continually looking for solutions to construct backup facilities serving remaining members but have been limited by geographical challenges. The approach to installing automated and remote field devices is a strategic method that allows the cooperative to better serve members, resulting in fewer outages where possible, shorter outages where not and improved overall system reliability.
“What we’re doing with automated devices is well ahead of your average electric utility,” said Engineering Director Robert Maxwell. “We’ve been continually reviewing our system and its performance to identify where installing automated devices would best serve our members.”
Title
Battery Storage System Goes Live
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2018_NL_BatteryStorage.png?itok=a6JRUr2b
Thursday | November 1, 2018
Card Teaser
Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119.
Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119. The project, developed in collaboration with ENGIE, is the largest utility battery storage facility in Colorado.
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. 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.
United Power’s primary goal for its battery storage facility is peak shaving, but it also better positions the cooperative to respond to future innovation and development within the energy environment.
“Understanding storage is the next logical step in the progression of renewable generation,” said Jerry Marizza, United Power’s New Business Director. “Without the ability to store energy, renewables will have an artificial cap placed on its utilization.”
On bright days when the sun is shining, solar fields may collect more energy than can be immediately used. Without proper storage capabilities, that excess energy is lost. Allowing the capture of both wind and solar energy produced at off-peak times when demand is low conserves energy and saves money.
“As a co-op, we have an obligation to our communities and individual members to explore these new options to meet this ever changing energy environment,” Marizza said.
The Tesla battery system United Power and ENGIE utilized for this project is a larger version of the lithium ion battery found in Tesla’s popular electric vehicles. Through years of testing and refinement, Tesla batteries have become the industry standard in energy storage.
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.
“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 John Parker, United Power CEO, during the project announcement this past year. “Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we’re excited to be starting now.”
The new battery storage facility builds on United Power’s reputation for adopting and implementing innovative technology, such as the Sol Partners Cooperative Solar Farm – the first of its kind in Colorado – and Methane to Megawatts Project at the Erie Landfill – only the second of its kind in the state. More than just renewables, these projects also make economic sense for our members while providing reliable energy.
Title
Beat the Heat...and Your Energy Bill
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Sept2018_NL_BeatHeat.png?itok=T214ateq
Monday | September 3, 2018
Card Teaser
If you’ve seen your electric usage trickle up over the past couple months, it might have something to do with Colorado’s hot summer weather.
If you’ve seen your electric usage trickle up over the past couple months, it might have something to do with Colorado’s hot summer weather. By mid-July, the state had already experienced more than 30 days of temperatures higher than 90 degrees, breaking a July 2012 temperature record.
While the excessive heat wave has probably contributed to some increase in your energy usage, there are some other factors that may have, as well. It’s a good time to talk about those reasons, and how you can use your air conditioning in a way that keeps you comfortable without the added burden on your bill.
Summer vacation is over for school age kids, but for the past two months, they’ve been spending more time at home while you’re at work. That means more time running the air conditioning, playing on electronics and maybe even cooking. All those things require more energy.
Along with having kids home during the weekday, maybe you or your family recently purchased a pool or used your existing pool more often to escape the summer heat. Water features, like pool pumps, use a lot of extra energy.
Seemingly small things can also contribute extra energy usage over the summer. Remembering to close windows and blinds, which block solar heat from entering your home, can keep the house a little cooler. Programmable smart thermostats also give you control when you’re away from the home. You can turn the air conditioning on when you’re about to head home or turn it off if you’re out and forgot.
The summer months are coming to an end and the kids are back in school, but there are a few tips and tricks you can use to help save a little more energy until fall rolls around or even when summer returns next year.
Start with growth prevention. Grass and other plants can grow up around outside air conditioning units, making it more difficult for them to breathe, potentially freezing coils. Take a few extra moments each week to make sure any excess growth around your unit has been cleared.
When you return home from a long day at work or out with the family, turn on your ceiling fan before the air conditioning. The breeze the fan creates will evaporate moisture from your skin and make you feel cooler, even when room temperatures are a few degrees warmer. Remember to turn off fans when you leave a room, though.
If you’re new to Colorado, you might not be familiar with the advantages the climate here provides. Opening your windows before going to bed allows cool air to move through your home so you can keep the air conditioning off. Remember to close windows early in the morning and pull blinds on the south and west sides of your home later in the day.
Another quick and easy technique you can utilize is weatherstripping. Air leaks from your home through cracks around windows, doors and even the foundation. Applying weatherstripping and caulking seals in cool air and prevents hot air from entering.
Beating the Heat & Summer Demand
Thursday | June 17, 2021
June is here and summer is just around the corner. With many people still working from home as we ap...
Read more >
Title
An Exciting Time to Invest in EVs
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_plugin.jpg?h=45932144&itok=UKkauilg
Wednesday | September 23, 2020
Card Teaser
There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Join us on September 27 as we explore all you need to know about electric vehicles.
What once seemed like a hopeful concept for the future has become a reality. Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
“It’s safe to say electric vehicle adoption has far outpaced our expectations,” said Tyler Bain, a United Power electrical engineer and longtime EV driver. “A sizeable number of EV drivers live in United Power’s service territory, and there’s still a lot of opportunity for growth – for both us and potential EV drivers.”
Why has there been so much recent growth in electric vehicles? Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan explains it has a lot to do with understanding and education. Many potential buyers face concerns and hesitations about integrating an electric vehicle into their daily lives.
“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception, which is an incorrect one. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”
Range anxiety, for example, is one of the hardest barriers for people to overcome, Zeid says. He recommends using your vehicle’s trip odometer to calculate how far you commute in a given day, either to and from work or for various other errands. People usually drive far less than they estimate, and that can demonstrate how range anxiety is typically more psychological than reality.
The growth also has to do with pricing and availability. There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Many major car brands have announced new and upcoming electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Some will even come as a trim option on already popular models for a small premium, which can be more than offset by current state and federal rebates and incentives.
Join United Power from September 26 — October 4 for National Drive EV Week as the cooperative and Zeid walk you through the finer points of EV ownership and much more. Follow our journey and find out more at Drive EV Week.
Title
Annual Meeting & Director Election Scheduled for Apr. 18
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_24_AnnualMeetingScheduled.jpg?itok=PXtUwUh6
Wednesday | February 14, 2018
Card Teaser
United Power will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting and Director Election on Wednesday, April 18th at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton.
United Power will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting and Director Election on Wednesday, April 18th at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton. Ballots will be mailed to all members at the end of March. Mail ballots must be received at the Survey and Ballot Systems post office box no later than Monday, April 16, 2018. Members may also drop ballots in a ballot drop-box located at each of United Power’s offices by 2 p.m. on April 18, or vote in person at the Annual Meeting starting at 4:30 p.m.
All United Power members are invited to attend the annual business meeting of the not-for-profit electric cooperative and cast their ballots in the annual director election. Registration opens at 4:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
United Power will host four free Meet the Candidate events so members can learn more about each candidate. More information about dates and times can be found here. Profiles provided by each candidate and detailed voting instructions are included in the ballot packets that will be mailed to members. For more information, visit www.unitedpower.com/annualmeeting or call United Power at 303-659-0551.
Directors run in geographic districts in order to accurately represent United Power members, but they are elected to the board at-large. Members are reminded to vote for one candidate in each of the cooperative’s four director districts.
Title
Are you Prepared for the Next Winter Storm?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/04_10_2019_WinterWeather.png?itok=iD1KskhK
Wednesday | April 10, 2019
Card Teaser
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm severity can vary depending on where you live, but United Power cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm severity can vary depending on where you live, but United Power cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.
Heavy snow and wind can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself:
Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using.
Stay fed – The CDC recommends having several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.
Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down or equipment is damaged. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines or debris in lines, always assume the lines are live. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 303-637-1350 if possible.
Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. United Power is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too. For more winter safety tips, visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
In the event of an outage, please know that our crews are working as quickly as is safely possible to restore your power.
If Your Power is Off
Verify that your entire house is out and that you haven’t just blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker.
If your power remains out for longer than a few minutes, or to report an electrical safety hazard, please call United Power’s Outage Line at 303-637-1350 or login to SmartHub. If the outage is widespread, our phone lines may be busy when you call.
When you call to report an outage, please provide as many details as possible. If you heard a loud bang, or your power is out but your neighbors have power, let us know. The information you supply will help us in our efforts to promptly restore electricity.
Title
Ask the Expert: Electric Vehicle Q&A
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_InsideCar.jpg?itok=eR8_3WD-
Friday | September 25, 2020
Card Teaser
Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan addresses some of the most common concerns and hesitations United Power members may be feeling about the possibility of purchasing an electric vehicle.
Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan addresses some of the most common concerns and hesitations United Power members may be feeling about the possibility of purchasing an electric vehicle:
Can an electric vehicle meet my range needs?
With ranges north of 250 miles, electric vehicles today are more than sufficient to manage the average driver’s daily commute.
Use your trip odometer to monitor a typical day’s commuting. You can more than likely go the whole day without a charge, and charging stations are becoming more accessible if you need a refill.
Where am I suppose to charge my electric vehicle?
Most people can recharge enough using an outlet in their garage overnight, but charging infrastructure is also growing rapidly.
Your home is already equipped to charge your EV overnight—just like you would charge your cell phone. For most vehicles, an electrician can make a simple upgrade to the outlets in your garage to decrease charge times without purchasing any special charging equipment.
What will it do to my electric bill?
Not as much as you might think. And between saving on gas and maintenance, your electric vehicle will be much cheaper to operate.
Li-on batteries are more contained than regular vehicles where the danger is often fires started by spilled fluids.
But aren’t electric vehicles more expensive?
Electric vehicles are a bit more expensive, but with rebates and incentives, they are just as affordable. And don’t forget your other savings.
Several Federal and State tax credits are available for Colorado drivers.
So electric vehicles are affordable, but are they safe?
Electric vehicles often come standard with enhanced safety features that are only available on higher trims or packages of other vehicles.
Use the Savings Calculator on our ChooseEV page to estimate your gas savings, then check out United Power’s Time of Day rate to see how much you can save by charging overnight.
Title
Automated Devices for Better Reliability
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2021_NL_SystemReliability.jpg?h=45932144&itok=twbW3RYA
Monday | November 22, 2021
Card Teaser
United Power’s outage restoration system utilizes a sophisticated network of automated field devices that allow it to respond and resolve outages more quickly..
How Components Work to Reduce Outage Times and Improve Reliability
United Power’s outage restoration system is among the most advanced and innovative in the country. While the cooperative has a national reputation for its forward-thinking beneficial energy projects, behind the scenes it has also dedicated significant resources to improve system reliability and reduce member outage times. The result is one that utilizes a sophisticated network of automated field devices that allow system operators and line crews to respond and resolve outages more quickly while often also preventing larger outages affecting more members.
Automated field devices fall into a varying spectrum from simple to complex, but they all work in conjunction to identify, isolate and, when possible, resolve “faults.” A fault is when the flow of electricity is abnormal or interrupted and can be caused by any number of incidents, such as weather, vegetation or equipment failures. Automated devices detect these faults and respond to them. Each type of device has a different response but all have the same purpose – to keep your lights on.
Fuses are not automated, but they are the simplest and least expensive means of protecting the cooperative’s system from fault damage and preventing larger outages. Fuses are “sacrificial” devices used to isolate small areas. They blow quickly in response to a fault, usually resulting in a relatively small outage impacting only a handful of members while maintaining service to any remaining members downstream of the fault. Line crews are able to quickly and easily replace these devices to restore power. Think of fuses like GFCI outlets in your home. When they detect an abnormal current, they shut off power to protect you.
The next level of protection against faults are reclosers and breakers. Although reclosers and breakers are technically separate devices, they function in similar ways. They protect much larger service areas and can respond to a fault in just a few seconds. This fault response is the most common cause of power “blinks.” When your house lights dim temporarily or you lose power briefly, this is caused by a breaker detecting a fault and responding. Breakers will attempt to reclose automatically to determine if the fault is still present. In the event of a sustained fault, system operators can reclose some breakers remotely once the fault has been cleared, limiting outage times for members impacted. While fuses in your home will shut off power to a single outlet, a breaker will shut off power to entire section of your home when it detects an overloaded circuit.
Switches are another remote device United Power system operators can use to quickly restore power to members affected by an outage. They are used to reroute the distribution of power to restore members while isolating the segment of line with the fault, also known as a redundancy, or the ability to serve members from more than one substation. Before remote switches, lineworkers had to manually activate switches, which required a lot of manpower and guesswork. In most cases, rerouting power with a switcher can restore power to most members within minutes or even seconds. In a few cases, it can restore power to all members. United Power is in the process of upgrading more switches to remote field devices.
System redundancies allow United Power to serve approximately 90 percent of its members from at least two different substations or circuits. The cooperative is continually looking for solutions to construct backup facilities serving remaining members but have been limited by geographical challenges. The approach to installing automated and remote field devices is a strategic method that allows the cooperative to better serve members, resulting in fewer outages where possible, shorter outages where not and improved overall system reliability.
“What we’re doing with automated devices is well ahead of your average electric utility,” said Engineering Director Robert Maxwell. “We’ve been continually reviewing our system and its performance to identify where installing automated devices would best serve our members.”
Title
Battery Storage System Goes Live
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2018_NL_BatteryStorage.png?itok=a6JRUr2b
Thursday | November 1, 2018
Card Teaser
Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119.
Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119. The project, developed in collaboration with ENGIE, is the largest utility battery storage facility in Colorado.
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. 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.
United Power’s primary goal for its battery storage facility is peak shaving, but it also better positions the cooperative to respond to future innovation and development within the energy environment.
“Understanding storage is the next logical step in the progression of renewable generation,” said Jerry Marizza, United Power’s New Business Director. “Without the ability to store energy, renewables will have an artificial cap placed on its utilization.”
On bright days when the sun is shining, solar fields may collect more energy than can be immediately used. Without proper storage capabilities, that excess energy is lost. Allowing the capture of both wind and solar energy produced at off-peak times when demand is low conserves energy and saves money.
“As a co-op, we have an obligation to our communities and individual members to explore these new options to meet this ever changing energy environment,” Marizza said.
The Tesla battery system United Power and ENGIE utilized for this project is a larger version of the lithium ion battery found in Tesla’s popular electric vehicles. Through years of testing and refinement, Tesla batteries have become the industry standard in energy storage.
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.
“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 John Parker, United Power CEO, during the project announcement this past year. “Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we’re excited to be starting now.”
The new battery storage facility builds on United Power’s reputation for adopting and implementing innovative technology, such as the Sol Partners Cooperative Solar Farm – the first of its kind in Colorado – and Methane to Megawatts Project at the Erie Landfill – only the second of its kind in the state. More than just renewables, these projects also make economic sense for our members while providing reliable energy.
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Beat the Heat...and Your Energy Bill
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Monday | September 3, 2018
Card Teaser
If you’ve seen your electric usage trickle up over the past couple months, it might have something to do with Colorado’s hot summer weather.
If you’ve seen your electric usage trickle up over the past couple months, it might have something to do with Colorado’s hot summer weather. By mid-July, the state had already experienced more than 30 days of temperatures higher than 90 degrees, breaking a July 2012 temperature record.
While the excessive heat wave has probably contributed to some increase in your energy usage, there are some other factors that may have, as well. It’s a good time to talk about those reasons, and how you can use your air conditioning in a way that keeps you comfortable without the added burden on your bill.
Summer vacation is over for school age kids, but for the past two months, they’ve been spending more time at home while you’re at work. That means more time running the air conditioning, playing on electronics and maybe even cooking. All those things require more energy.
Along with having kids home during the weekday, maybe you or your family recently purchased a pool or used your existing pool more often to escape the summer heat. Water features, like pool pumps, use a lot of extra energy.
Seemingly small things can also contribute extra energy usage over the summer. Remembering to close windows and blinds, which block solar heat from entering your home, can keep the house a little cooler. Programmable smart thermostats also give you control when you’re away from the home. You can turn the air conditioning on when you’re about to head home or turn it off if you’re out and forgot.
The summer months are coming to an end and the kids are back in school, but there are a few tips and tricks you can use to help save a little more energy until fall rolls around or even when summer returns next year.
Start with growth prevention. Grass and other plants can grow up around outside air conditioning units, making it more difficult for them to breathe, potentially freezing coils. Take a few extra moments each week to make sure any excess growth around your unit has been cleared.
When you return home from a long day at work or out with the family, turn on your ceiling fan before the air conditioning. The breeze the fan creates will evaporate moisture from your skin and make you feel cooler, even when room temperatures are a few degrees warmer. Remember to turn off fans when you leave a room, though.
If you’re new to Colorado, you might not be familiar with the advantages the climate here provides. Opening your windows before going to bed allows cool air to move through your home so you can keep the air conditioning off. Remember to close windows early in the morning and pull blinds on the south and west sides of your home later in the day.
Another quick and easy technique you can utilize is weatherstripping. Air leaks from your home through cracks around windows, doors and even the foundation. Applying weatherstripping and caulking seals in cool air and prevents hot air from entering.
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