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Colorado’s largest electrical cooperative in terms of demand lays out hyper-localization strategy

 

United Power, Colorado’s largest electrical cooperative in terms of the electricity it distributes, made its break from Tri-State G&T on May 1, 2024. It seems to be on its feet with no reason to look over its shoulder.

But where is United going?

Hyper-localization was the phrase introduced in 2024 by its chief executive, Mark Gabriel, as the cooperative put into operation several major battery storage installations in its service territory on the northern side of metropolitan Denver.

That hyper-localization can also be understood in terms of the 12,600 roof-top solar installations among its 113,000 members.

In its annual report issued in early January, United also discussed the concept of a distribution system operator (DSO). If perhaps elementary to some readers of Big Pivots, to others it might be a nice explanation of where we’ve been and where we’re headed as we try to reinvent electricity – and all of energy, for that matter.

United Power’s service territory includes much of the Wattenberg oil and gas field, the principal reason that Colorado ranks fourth in oil and eighth in natural gas extraction among the 50 states. Many energy-requiring tasks in this place of energy production, however, are being converted to electricity.

Here is how United explained what it described as an industry-leading effort:

“The flow of energy only used to move in one direction, but this model is quickly changing. Technology, like EVs and distributed generation such as solar photovoltaic systems and batteries, are changing the way cooperative members use electricity and interact with the local grid.

“United Power has developed a DSO Action Plan to ensure it can deliver a reliable and efficient flow of electricity within its distribution network by maintaining critical

infrastructure, such as substations, transformers, and power lines to ensure safety and reliability, and managing the integration of DERs (distributed energy resources), like solar panels and battery storage, while facilitating connections for new members and opportunities for independent energy generators.

“The DSO model also drives grid modernization by analyzing data from smart devices and sensors to enable a smarter, more flexible system to support technologies like EVs and demand response tools. This grid modernization also ensures increased resiliency through the integration of hyper-local energy generation, microgrids, and other adaptive measures.

“Essentially, the transition to a DSO will ensure that United Power members, who are increasingly becoming both consumers and producers of energy, have a reliable electrical distribution network that maximizes the transfer and use of electricity from DERs to their homes, businesses, and industries.”

Ah, and to think that just a decade ago, the world of electrical cooperatives seemed to be a backwater. Now, the electrical cooperatives may be providing the most interesting innovations in Colorado.

Allen Best
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