PVREA Middle-Mile Fiber Internet
Poudre Valley REA broadband power infrastructure will be seeing an increase in its resiliency soon. Larimer County has received a $995,429 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to help develop community-owned middle-mile fiber to the towns of Wellington and Masonville. Additionally, the county’s general fund will be matching the grant. While Larimer County is generally well-connected, this grant will be pivotal in providing improved access to unserved and underserved rural residents who have struggled with inadequate broadband infrastructure and unreliable service.
The middle-mile fiber project will include the construction of 107,168 feet of above-ground fiber on Poudre Valley REA poles, and will interconnect with existing community-owned middle-mile fiber. Wellington can expect to see improved connection both in town and in more rural areas, and this new fiber will connect with Fort Collins-based broadband service Connexion. The Masonville route will focus on improving connectivity along Larimer County Road 27 between U.S. Highway 34 and Masonville, which will create opportunity for last-mile expansion projects in collaboration with Loveland Pulse, Loveland’s fiber-optic internet provider.
The partnership between Connexion, Larimer County, and Loveland Pulse is focused on improving the community and providing excellent customer service, with Chad Crager, Connexion Broadband executive director stating “We believe that a great internet experience is the foundation for the future of innovation and collaboration in this region.” Each fiber service will own and be responsible for construction, maintenance, and operation of the new middle-mile project. Not only will this grant make improved connectivity possible for many homes, it also will help the community compete for future grants to upgrade infrastructure for years to come.
Holy Cross Energy Solar Array and Battery Storage Collaboration Project
Holy Cross Energy announced the completion of its new solar array and battery storage project at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus in Glenwood Springs. This project is a collaboration between Holy Cross Energy, Colorado Mountain College, Ameresco, Sunsense and Friends. The utility-scale solar and storage project is a step towards Holy Cross Energy’s goal of producing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, as well as Colorado Mountain College’s intention to be entirely carbon neutral by 2050.
The system includes 13,500 solar panels located at the campus, which provide 4.5 MW of solar power, and 68 battery stacks that provide 5MW/15MWh of battery energy storage. Most of the solar panels are installed using single-axis tracking, which uses one axis of rotation and takes advantage of the different terrain and space constraints of the site. The 68 battery stacks are stored in four on-site containers, each of which also contains an HVAC system to control temperature and humidity. Fire suppression measures are in place for further safety. The batteries will be used to store energy, discharging it during peak demand hours to reduce overall energy costs and save money for Holy Cross Energy members.
Sam Whelan, Holy Cross Energy’s Vice President of Power Supply states “The HCE/CMC solar plus storage project is a great example of a win-win renewable project. Not only does the project assist both HCE and CMC toward their renewable and carbon goals, but the battery also provides us with the flexibility to operate an increasingly renewable portfolio. To top it all off, we’re able to do this in a financially responsible way that saves money for all our members.”The annual offset of greenhouse gas emissions from this project is 6,853 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or the same as removing 1,481 passenger vehicles from the road or saving 7,551,051 pounds of coal every year. Three CMC campuses, including Vail Valley, Aspen, and Spring Valley, will receive power from this new installation.
Behind The Meter: How Does At-Home Energy Generation Impact the Grid?
By Kent Singer, CREA Executive Director
Since the inception of the Colorado electric co-op program in the 1930s, the traditional path for delivering electricity to co-op members has largely remained the same: Power is generated at a central station power plant, transmitted across high voltage transmission lines, and finally distributed over a local system to end-use customers at their homes and businesses. While the source of the “central station” power varies from state to state, the basic system of generation, transmission and distribution (G,T&D) of electricity has looked the same for decades.
This “G,T&D” model will remain the path for most of the electricity consumed by Colorado’s electric co-op members for years to come; however, more and more co-op members are opting to generate electricity at their premises. They do this by using solar panels on their rooftops or other sources of power that are “behind the meter.” And, as is the case for most renewable energy generation, it’s not always available and fluctuates depending on weather conditions. With that in mind, there are two scenarios at play for a co-op member’s on-premise system: Excess generation and inadequate generation.
If a co-op member’s residential rooftop solar system produces more electricity than they consume, Colorado’s electric co-ops have agreed to — and state law requires them to — “net meter” the energy the co-op receives from member-owned solar arrays. Net metering simply means that when excess electricity is exported to the grid, the co-op member receives kilowatt-hour credits valued at the retail rate. A member of a Colorado electric co-op can reduce the amount of electricity they purchase from the co-op since the solar panels on their rooftops are producing at least some, if not all, of the power they require for their home or business. In this scenario, the co-op member who is generating excess electricity benefits from their use of the co-op distribution system to manage and credit their excess solar energy production.
Unless they are completely off the grid and are generating all the electricity they need, co-op members with rooftop solar systems must still be connected to the co-op’s distribution infrastructure. This ensures the delivery of electricity to their home or business whenever it is required — for example, during a string of cloudy days when their solar panels don’t generate adequate electricity. Electric co-ops have a legal obligation to maintain adequate facilities in order to provide reliable electric service to their members.
It’s true that the need for a co-op to purchase power from a wholesale supplier is decreased when its members generate their own electricity. However, the co-op is still responsible for maintaining a robust distribution system that will serve all the co-op’s members.
This raises an important question for Colorado’s electric co-ops (and other electric utilities): If an electric co-op member benefits from the poles and wires to provide electricity when the rooftop solar panels aren’t sufficient, but that member no longer buys any or as much power from the co-op, should that member be required to pay for the continuing maintenance and replacement costs of those facilities?
As more and more co-op members install solar arrays, the way that co-ops compensate their members for consumer-sited generation may need to be reexamined. With the increase in residential solar systems, co-ops receive less revenue from energy sales, but they continue to have expenses related to maintaining the distribution grid. Co-ops may also need to make new infrastructure investments to enable the storage of excess solar production to help meet peak demands for electricity in the afternoon.
There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether any changes need to be made to the existing net metering rules from both the perspective of solar installers and electric utilities. As not-for-profit utilities, co-ops aren’t incentivized to make a profit, but they still must meet their payrolls, run their trucks, and invest in system maintenance and improvements. These costs are shared among all co-op members.
Colorado’s electric co-ops go to great lengths to treat all of their members fairly and equitably, and they will continue to do so as they integrate more behind-the-meter, customer-sited renewable energy resources.
Kent Singer is the executive director of CREA and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives. CREA is the trade association for 21 Colorado electric distribution co-ops and one power supply co-op
Job Training & Safety Instructor
Job Title: Job Training & Safety Instructor
Department: Safety and Loss Control
Reports To: Director of Safety and Loss Control
Location: Colorado, Western Slope
JOB OBJECTIVE
To effectively educate and train assigned CREA cooperative members on proper work techniques and safe work procedures to prevent injuries and damage to member property, based on industry standards and regulations. Assist electric cooperatives in meeting the requirements of the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP).
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are essential functions of this position and are intended to describe the general nature of the work to be performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
- Assist member cooperatives with developing and carrying out a safety program with a focus on compliance with safe working practices and an emphasis on regulations and electric distribution safety, in accordance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, NEC, NESC, ANSI, APPA, and state and federal regulations.
- Identify rules, regulations, and acceptable work practices applicable to electrical workers and communicate them to employees at member cooperatives.
- Develop and conduct safety training for groups of employees/managers on recommended safe working practices and proper use of safety equipment.
- Conduct crew observations of electrical distribution work practices and equipment, identify potential hazards, and provide feedback and assistance as needed to ensure a safe working environment.
- Evaluate safety programs and make recommendations for improvement. Assist member cooperatives in complying with criteria in the NRECA Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP).
- Perform live-line tool, dielectric, and protective grounds testing. Assure the tested equipment is safe and recommend repair/maintenance when required.
- Conduct periodic inspections of tools, personal protective equipment, and member service vehicles to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
- Provide support to and serve on various technical committees associated with groups such as the Mesa Hot Line School and other national and regional safety organizations, as needed.
- Investigate accidents and prepare reports as directed by the Director of Safety and Loss Control.
- Assist in disaster aid response and with mutual aid requests as needed.
- Develop a schedule for cooperative visits, training, and conference attendance with approval of the Director of Safety and Loss Control.
- Upon request, write safety reports and articles for various CREA publications.
- Ensure adequate maintenance of CREA property, including computers, laptops, cell phones, training/testing equipment and vehicle.
- Keep accurate records of training, inspections, expenses, and maintenance of assigned CREA property. Submit reports in a timely manner.
- Act as safety liaison with relevant cooperative management.
- Assist members with Consumer Electric Safety programs.
- Perform other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Certified Journeyman Lineman with high school diploma or equivalent. A related degree in business administration, teaching, or safety is helpful. Knowledge of occupational and industrial safety, teaching, engineering, human performance, or communication is desirable. Technical or specialized training pertaining to state and federal regulations required. Qualifying experience can be substituted for degree.
A Certified Loss Control Professional (CLCP) certification must be obtained within four years of employment.
CPR instructor certification is desired and must be maintained during the course of employment.
CDOT Flagger instructor certification must be obtained within one year of employment.
Experience: Prior line work is required. Five years of loss control or safety training including experience with OSHA, EPA, NESC, NEC and DOT record keeping requirements. Employee must have thorough knowledge of electric distribution and transmission systems.
Additional Skills: Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and have the capability to design and effectively teach educational materials using various media. Must be proficient in operating personal computers, common business software, and other office equipment, and must have extensive knowledge of safety equipment and its usage.
Must be able to work independently and possess the ability to formulate detailed programs, policies, etc. from a conceptual basis. Must be self-motivated and have the ability to complete assigned and routine tasks on time.
Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license and First Aid/CPR certificates. Physical requirements of the job include: driving over long periods of time, possibly over eight hours of driving per day, in daytime and night conditions; driving in a variety of weather conditions, including on ice and snow; lifting up to 50 lbs. is required on occasion, when using testing equipment and rescue mannequins.
Must be willing to travel overnight approximately 85%-95% of the time.
WAGE TYPE: Salary, exempt
SALARY: $95,000-110,000
SCHEDULE: Full time, remote.
BENEFITS: Health, dental, 401k, pension plan, paid time off, remote work and/or flexible schedule.
To Apply:
Email resume and cover letter to Jenna Hirsch at jhirsch@coloradorea.org.
2023PVREA Offers EV Charging Pilot Program
Poudre Valley REA partnered with FlexCharging to create an innovative pilot program that offers members an easy way to save on their electric bills. FlexCharging, a leader in EV charging technology, released EVision in June. This cloud-based EV grid integration and demand response software allows electric cooperatives and utilities to launch managed charging programs. Poudre Valley REA members who charge their EVs at home will receive bill credits for charging during reward charging times, between midnight and 3 p.m. Incentives include 2 cents off electric bills per kWh used to charge the EV, as well as a one-time sign-up bonus of $50 upon successful enrollment in the program. The average EV owner, who drives 30-40 miles per day, will save an average of $120 annually.
“At PVREA, we need a managed EV charging program to meet the needs of both our electric grid and the increasing number of EV owners in our area,” Tim Ellis, PVREA energy resources director said. “A viable, cost-effective, and user-friendly telematics solution supporting the most available EVs allows us to maximize the positive impact managed EVs can have on our grid. We’re excited to partner with FlexCharging on a new pilot program, DrivEV, that we hope can result in a safer, more reliable, and more affordable supply of power for all our members.”
DrivEV will help reduce charging costs for EV owners, decrease energy loads on PVREA, and lower carbon emissions. A recent study showed that the share of electric cars in total sales has more than tripled since 2020, from about 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022. Electric car sales exceeded 10 million in 2022. As more people make the move to EV vehicles, innovative programs such as PVREA’s DrivEV will help meet demand for growing EV ownership, funding for charging infrastructure, and rapidly evolving regulations to move to EVs. To learn more about PVREA’s pilot program, please click here.
2023Holy Cross Energy Completes First Phase in Broadband Infrastructure Project
Holy Cross Energy announced that Phase I of their broadband infrastructure project in the Roaring Fork Valley is complete. The three-phase project brings “middle mile” broadband infrastructure to several communities in both the Roaring Fork Valley as well as the Eagle River Valley. Middle mile infrastructure is, according to the Colorado Broadband Office, “The telecommunication network of robust, high-speed fiber or fixed wireless that brings broadband close enough to a residence or business so an internet service provider may provide internet access. Middle mile connects to the global internet backbone.” This improved infrastructure plan also serves to diagnose outages, dispatch energy resources in real-time, and increase reliability between Holy Cross Energy data centers in an emergency.
Phase I of the project improves fiber connectivity over a 41-mile stretch between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. Construction of Phase II begins later this summer, connecting Avon and Gypsum, and Phase III will connect the first two phases with a link over Cottonwood Pass. Holy Cross Energy’s fiber and broadband director, Manuel Gomez, states “HCE’s primary goal is to increase reliability and to dispatch energy resources in real-time. We are also excited to utilize our fiber where available to support our member and communities by providing access to a strong fiber network.”
The decision to pursue middle mile projects was made by the HCE board of directors to support systems operations and increase connectivity to the community. Holy Cross Energy will not provide retail internet services, but instead has partnered with both public and private entities to increase fiber infrastructure by subleasing the fiber network to regional internet providers. As of today, the only lease on HCE’s fiber infrastructure is through a partnership with the Northwest Colorado Council of Government, which provides middle mile broadband services to Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, the Town of Basalt, and the Town of Snowmass Village.