Can pumped-hydro help Colorado utilities integrate more renewables?
Pumped-storage hydro could use electrical transmission of retiring coal plants in northwestern Colorado to supplement increasing quantities of renewable energy.
Howard Geller’s energy mission
Utilities in Colorado and beyond have embraced energy efficiency in large part because of the work of Howard Geller’ and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
Getting transmission right
Vibrant Clean Energy’s Chris Clack makes the case for massive investment in transmission as a way to ensure reliability while the grid is decarbonized.
Buildings and electric cars
Batteries in electric cars can now keep the lights on at Denver’s Alliance Center, the second place in Colorado where Fermata V2B technology has been deployed.
What Reagan got wrong
Ronald Reagan had it wrong, said Jeff Ackermann in departing the Colorado PUC after 4 years as chairman. There is a valuable and honorable role of regulation.
Local electricity in Gunnison County
Gunnison County Electric has started the process of adding local generation of electrical resources. It’s less than 1% now, but it can get up to 7%.
Colorado’s top energy stories in 2020
From a decarbonization roadmap to a giant solar farm to firming plans for 100% renewable energy, Colorado’s energy transition in 2020 told in these stories.
Something Colorado can crow about
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis continued his race-to-the-top tour with utilities, this time commending Black Hills Energy for its carbon reduction goals for 2030.
Blue and green in Pueblo
The gritty steel town of Pueblo has been reinventing itself for almost 50 years. One vision sees green energy being the center of a blue-collar reinvention.
Pushback on Xcel’s coal plant closures
Xcel Energy wants to close the two coal-burning units at Hayden, Colo., in 2027 and 2028. Others itch for much sooner, citing economic and environmental gains.
Why rural areas want EV chargers
Colorado will soon have high-speed EV chargers roughly every 90 miles along its major highways—including places where precious few locals have EVs.
Decarbonizing Colorado’s buildings
Zach Pierce, climate and energy advisor to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, outlines several legislative measures needed to advance decarbonize the built environment.
Getting the EV infrastructure right
Xcel Energy will become a transportation company and Colorado’s decarbonization efforts will gain traction as a result of a plan about electric vehicles.
How can Platte River hit 2030 goal?
Platte River Power Authority has is currently the decarbonization frontrunner among Colorado’s larger electrical utilities. But how can it get to 100% by 2030?
Two small victories for Tri-State G&T
Colorado-based wholesale supplier Tri-State G&T scored two small wins this week in cases involving dissident co-ops United Power and La Plata Electric.
Colorado coal plants ‘nudge’ reversed
In the effort to achieve cleaner air, it was one step forward then it’s back you go in a decision reversal by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
Holy Cross and the ‘Journey to 100%’
Like those climbing it namesake mountain, Holy Cross Energy sees multiple pathways to the top, 100% renewable energy, which it seeks to achieve by 2030.
Eric Blank appointed to PUC
Eric Blank has been appointed to chair the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which has a central role in the state’s decarbonizing of its economy.
Colorado icebox notably warmer
A few decades ago 19 below was barely worth mentioning in Fraser, which called itself the icebox of the nation. Now, it is. It’s part of a winter warming trend.
How Holy Cross Energy intends to deepen penetration of renewables
A pilot program of six home batteries represents an effort by Holy Cross Energy to better contour demands around supply as it moves toward 80% renewables.
