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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 01/12/2023 ENERGY BOARD January 12, 2023 – 5:30 pm 222 Laporte Ave – Colorado Room ROLL CALL Board Members Present: Alan Braslau, Steve Tenbrink, Bill Althouse, Marge Moore, Jeremy Giovando, Bill Becker, Vanessa Paul, Brian Smith, Thomas Loran Board Members Absent: OTHERS PRESENT Staff Members Present: Christie Fredrickson, John Phelan, Phillip Amaya, Rhonda Gatzke, Cyril Vidergar, Leland Keller, Rhonda Gatzke Members of the Public: MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairperson Tenbrink called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. ANNOUNCEMENTS & AGENDA CHANGES None. PUBLIC COMMENT None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES In preparation for the meeting, board members submitted amendments via email for the December 8, 2022, minutes. The minutes were approved as amended. INTRODUCTION TO PHILLIP AMAYA Phillip Amaya, Deputy Director, Utilities Light & Power Mr. Amaya comes to the City with over 20 years of experience with Magic Valley Electric Cooperative in Mercedes, Texas. MVEC is the third largest Electrical Distribution Cooperative in Texas with 135,000 customers; Mr. Amaya served as the Technical Services Division Manager since 2002. While at MVEC, he was responsible for Power Systems Engineering functions including system studies, Grid Modernization, ADMS, and interconnected software systems & programs. During his career, he led and developed teams of power systems managers, engineers, & technicians, as well as system operators, lineworkers, and staking personnel. Prior to his career with MVEC, Mr. Amaya spent time in the United States Army, and received his electrical engineering degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Chairperson Tenbrink asked what Mr. Amaya what he sees as the biggest challenge in Fort Collins, from a technology perspective. Mr. Amaya said it’s amazing where the City already is within the realm of technology; the Utility is already upgrading systems that many utilities are only just now installing. Much of the Utility’s infrastructure is aging, so he would like to start prioritizing how, where, and when to begin replacing that aging infrastructure with new tools, such as partial discharge testers and Energy Services style-technology (data management systems). ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Board member Braslau asked Mr. Amaya what he sees the biggest challenge as organizationally. Mr. Amaya said he likes to spend time evaluating what might be missing before he can decide what to do, but he is focused on implementing new technologies that serve the Utility’s staff and customers. Vice Chairperson Becker said the Utility has many systems in place, but the Utility’s challenge is turning that into value, even though the pieces are there. Mr. Amaya said every day we are adding more electrification pressures to the grid, but the challenge will be setting the financial and infrastructure forecast, but all we know is what we know today, so that will be a challenge and an opportunity. REIVEW 2023 PLANNING CALENDAR Board members reviewed their draft 2023 Planning Calendar. Returning Board members and staff explained basic meeting structure to the Board’s new members and indicated that the planning calendar is always evolving based on the Board’s interests and staff’s deadlines. NEW BOARD MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS Board members went around the room and briefly shared their backgrounds and expertise, as well as why they joined the Energy Board. APPROVE 2022 ANNUAL REPORT (attachments available upon request) Board member Moore moved to approve the Energy Board’s 2022 Annual Report as presented. Board member Giovando seconded the motion. Discussion: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 9-0 OFFICER ELECTIONS (attachments available upon request) Chairperson Tenbrink nominated Board member Becker as the 2023 Vice Chairperson. Vice Chairperson Becker nominated Chairperson Tenbrink as the 2023 Chairperson. Nominees for the Chair and Vice Chairperson roles consented. There are no further nominations. Nominations are now closed. Board member Braslau moved to select Board member Tenbrink as the 2023 Chairperson and Board member Becker as the 2023 Vice Chairperson. Board member Moore seconded the motion. Discussion: None. ENERGY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 9-0. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Board member Moore has been part of a leadership program, “Living in the Gap”, founded and hosted by Dr. Eric Holsapple. She said she is learning so much about remaining present, mindful, and focused, and she feels like it is improving her productivity. Board member Loran said the Tesla Powerwall software was recently changed so he’s now able to charge the Powerwall during off-peak hours, and this new functionality, if adopted by more customers will eventually have an impact on the distribution curve. Board member Braslau said his daughter lives here and he has been trying to help her family make efficiency upgrades where they are able. He noted that affordability for many of these changes is not within range for many people, and it is likely much harder than the board may realize. Board member Smith added that there are new payback models that are working in other states, upgrades are paid back as users save, so there is no net difference in monthly cost. Board member Paul noted that the biggest hurdle to sustainability is convenience and asked the Board and staff to consider how we can encourage convenience for all users. Board member Althouse has a nonprofit and he started working with Chamber of Commerce to help members deploy distributed resources; he will help them procure all tax credits and rebates. FUTURE AGENDA REVIEW No additional discussion. ADJOURNMENT The Energy Board adjourned at 7:25 pm.