HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/6/2021 - Memorandum From John Phelan Re: Utilities Energy Policy 2020 Annual Update
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Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 1, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: John Phelan, Energy Services Senior Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
Gretchen Stanford, Interim Deputy Director, Utilities Customer Connections
RE: Utilities Energy Policy 2020 Annual Update
Bottom Line
The attached infographic and supplemental report provide an update on the 2020 activities and
results related to the Fort Collins Utilities Energy Policy. The primary goals of the Energy Policy
and economic health while
sustaining high-system reliability. The Energy Policy and 2020 annual update also are available
at fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do.
Discussion
This report provides an update on 2020 activities and results related to the Fort Collins Energy
Policy. The year 2020 was a year unlike any other. The COVID 19 pandemic forced Utilities to
wildfire burned within our watershed for over 100 days. These events challenged our community
in unprecedented ways. The resulting changes included different patterns of energy use for
residential and business customers and suspension, then reimagining, of the delivery of programs
and services. Notes are added throughout the report that highlight specific impacts of these
events.
This will be the last annual update under the Energy Policy format. Moving forward, Fort Collins
has integrated Energy Policy objectives into the Our Climate Future Plan (adopted March 2021).
Our Climate Future is about the future of everyone in Fort Collins in these times of climate
change and is our community guide to creating the carbon neutral, zero waste and 100%
renewable electricity future we desire.
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2020 Outcomes
Residential and commercial electricity use per person has decreased by 19% since 2005
and community natural gas use per person decreased by 15%. Community petroleum use
per person has decreased by 26%. Total energy use (electricity, natural gas and
petroleum) has gone up by only 4% since 2005, despite a population increase of 29%.
Efficiency programs and strategies saved approximately 43,000,000 kilowatt hours
(kWh), or 2.85%, which is equivalent to the annual
electric use of 5,600 Fort Collins homes.
Fort Collins buildings used only 11% more total energy than in 2005, while building
square footage increased by 21% during that same period.
Community carbon emissions from electricity are down 38% from 2005.
Electricity from non carbon resources accounted for 46% of total resources, with 19%
from hydro, 23% from wind and 4% from solar energy. Fossil fuel energy comprised
only 54% of electricity sources.
Efficiency and renewable programs generated over $44 million in local economic
benefits through reduced utility bills, direct rebates and leveraged investment, supporting
an estimated 240 jobs in the region.
Electric reliability remained high at 99.9981%, with an average system outage of only 10
minutes.
If you have any questions, please contact John Phelan at jphelan@fcgov.com or call 970-218-
2107.
CC: Brian Tholl, Energy Services Supervisor
Energy Policy
2020 Annual Update
2
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................3
2020 Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................3
2020 Major Activities and Highlights ...................................................................................................4
2020 Annual Update Infographic .............................................................................................................5
Community Energy Use ............................................................................................................................7
Community Carbon Emissions .............................................................................................................8
Energy Savings.........................................................................................................................................10
Electricity Supply ......................................................................................................................................12
Resource Mix ........................................................................................................................................12
Distributed Generation.........................................................................................................................14
Reliability and Demand Response ....................................................................................................14
Community Economics and Partnerships ............................................................................................15
Rates ......................................................................................................................................................17
..............................................................................................18
Looking Ahead ..........................................................................................................................................19
Putting People First ..................................................................................................................................19
New Approaches for Energy Services ..................................................................................................19
Programs ...................................................................................................................................................21
Thank You .................................................................................................................................................21
3
Introduction
This report provides an update of 2020 activities and results related to the Fort Collins Energy
Policy. The Energy Policy vision is:Collins is a leader in the transition to sustainable and
resilient local energy systems to serve the 2050 carbon neutral The Energy
Policy and Climate Action Plan seek to achieve 20% carbon reduction below 2005 levels by
2020, 80% by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2050. The policy reflects Fort Collins' energy values of
reliability, affordability, safety, greenhouse gas emission reduction, pollution prevention,
environmental stewardship and energy independence.
This will be the last annual update under the Energy Policy format. Moving forward, Fort Collins
has integrated Energy Policy objectives into the Our Climate Future Plan. Our Climate Future is
about the future of everyone in Fort Collins in these times of climate change, and it is our
community guide to creating the carbon neutral, zero waste, and 100% renewable electricity
future we desire. More on this Plan in the Looking Forward section of this report.
The overall goal is to improve the energy productivity of buildings while improving occupant
comfort, safety and health, as well as enhancing the purpose and performance of the activities
taking place in buildings. In other words, to use energy more productively and efficiently, while
improving outcomes for historically underserved groups and supporting other sustainability
objectives.
The year 2020 was a year unlike any other. The COVID 19 global pandemic forced Utilities to
rethink how it provides services to the Fort Collins community, all while largest ever
wildfire burned within our watershed for over 100 days. These events challenged our
community in unprecedented ways. The resulting changes included different patterns of energy
use for residential and business customers and suspension then reimagining of the delivery of
programs and services. Notes are added throughout this report which highlight specific impacts
of these events.
2020 Outcomes
Residential and commercial electricity use per person has decreased by 19% since 2005
and community natural gas use per person decreased by 15%. Community petroleum
use per person has also decreased by 26%. Total energy use (electricity, natural gas and
petroleum) has gone up by only 4% since 2005, despite a population increase of 29%.
Efficiency programs and strategies saved approximately 43,000,000 kilowatt hours
(kWh), or 2.85% of the annual usage, which is equivalent to the annual
electric use of 5,600 Fort Collins homes.
Fort Collins buildings used only 11% more total energy than in 2005, while building
square footage increased by 21% during that same period.
Community carbon emissions from electricity are down 38% from 2005.
4
Electricity from non carbon resources accounted for 46% of total resources, with 19%
from hydro, 23% from wind and 4% from solar energy. Fossil fuel energy comprised of
only 54% of electricity sources.
Efficiency and renewable programs generated over $44 million in local economic
benefits through reduced utility bills, direct rebates and leveraged investment,
supporting an estimated 240 jobs in the region.
Electric reliability remained high at 99.9981%, with an average system outage of only 10
minutes.
2020 Major Activities and Highlights
Utilities Energy Services co led a project with Environmental Services to update the
Energy Policy, Climate Action Plan and Zero Waste Plan. The combined planning effort
was called Our Climate Future. See the section for more information on
this comprehensive new plan.
The Epic Homes program branding was established and launched as a comprehensive
program for improving single family home efficiency, with elements for assessments,
contractors, rebates, on bill financing, real estate documentation and indoor
environmental quality research.
Utilities partnered with Operations Services and Environmental Services and was
awarded a $200,000 grant through Renewable/Clean Energy Challenge grant
program. The project will enable the Northside Aztlan center to function as a resilience
hub during community emergencies with additional solar, batteries and efficiency
measures.
Brad Smith of Energy Services was recognized and awarded the 2020 ICC National
Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award. The award recognizes
outstanding contributions to the growth and enhancement of codes or public policy
espousing the principles of the Code Council Sustainability Membership Council.
The Building Energy and Water Scoring program was officially launched and requires
building owners who are covered under the Ordinance to report their ENERGY
STAR® Portfolio Manager score to the City. Owners of commercial buildings over 20,000
square feet were identified of the need to report and were provided with the tools and
utility resources to access their data.
Energy Services, along with the Water Conservation department, launched new online
portals, MyEnergy, MyData and MyWater, which allow customers to easily manage and
track their energy and water use.
As a result of the pandemic, Energy Services was required to find new ways to engage
and motivate customers to save energy. Utilities launched the Smart Meter Savings
Program, which leverages AMI data and data analytic software to make customized
recommendations to commercial customers to introduce energy saving strategies in
their building systems.
5
2020 Annual Update Infographic
Each year, Utilities provides an update on the progress and activities related to the Energy
Policy. In 2020, the annual update included an infographic (see Figure 1 on next page).
Figure 1. 2020 Energy Policy Annual Update Infographic
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Figure 1. 2020 Energy Policy Annual Update Infographic (continued from previous page)
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Community Energy Use
Community energy use (electric, natural gas and petroleum) has increased by 4% since 2005,
while the population has increased by 29% from 132,000 to 171,000 residents. Per capita
community energy use decreased by 19% from 2005 levels for electricity, 15% for natural gas
and 26% for petroleum (see Table 1).Total energy use per capita decreased by 20%. In 2020,
absolute electricity usage also declined and was 10% lower than in 2019. Community electricity
use per capita went from 11,011 kWh in 2005 to 8,886 kWh in 2020 (see Figure 2).For
residential and commercial electricity use (not including electricity uses such as streetlights or
distribution losses), electricity use per capita has decreased by 19% since 2005.
Table 1. Community Energy (Total and Per Capita) Consumption in 2005, 2019 and 2020
Metric/Indicator 2020 Value % change from
2019
% change from
2005
Total Energy (kBtu)19,176,832,454 10%+4%
Electricity 5,191,525,908 2% +4%
Coal 1,819,191,709 38%50%
Non Carbon 2,400,709,856 +38% +100%
Natural Gas 7,988,205,285 11% +10%
Petroleum 5,997,101,260 16%5%
Diesel 501,237,369 17% +244%
Gasoline 5,495,863,891 15%10%
Per Capita (kBtu)111,999 11%20%
Electric 30,320 3%19%
Natural Gas 46,654 12%15%
Petroleum 35,025 17%26%
Energy use per capita has shown a mostly downward trend since 2005, with more variation for
natural gas use per capita (see Figure 3).
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Figure 2. Fort Collins Community Per Capita Electricity Use
Figure 3. Fort Collins Community Per Capita Energy Use
Community Carbon Emissions
In 2020, carbon emissions from electricity were 38% below 2005 levels, surpassing the goal of
20% below 2005 by 2020.Carbon emissions reductions come from influenced areas (such as
Platte River Power Authority renewable energy) and direct areas (such as energy efficiency and
rooftop solar), which counteract emissions from growth and weather (see Figure 5).
9
Figure 4. Carbon Emissions from Electricity
Figure 5. Drivers of Change for Carbon Emissions from Electricity
To learn more about community carbon emissions, visit the City of Fort Collins Climate
Dashboard at https://ftcollinscap.clearpointstrategy.com/.
Utilities is also a member owner of Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). As such, Fort Collins
reports the ownership share of carbon emissions. This value differs from the operational
share of emissions, which only account for electricity consumed by Fort Collins residents and
businesses. The ownership share includes emissions associated with the generation of
electricity that is sold to other utilities. In 2020, ownership share emissions were 1,520,655
metric tons, a reduction of 12.8% below the 2005 baseline year.
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Energy Savings
In 2020, customer electric savings from efficiency programs and strategies totaled 42,834,000
kWh (see Table 2),which is equivalent to 2.85% of the annual retail electricity
consumption. The 2020 goal to achieve savings of 2.5% of the annual electricity
use was exceeded (see Figure 6).It is cheaper to save electricity, with energy efficiency and
distributed renewables, at $0.029 per kWh, compared to the wholesale blended cost of
electricity at $0.061 per kWh.
Table 2. Energy Program Portfolio Savings
Program Participation
(audits & projects)
Customer Electric
Savings First Year
(gross MWh)
Cost of saved energy
($ per kWh levelized)
Behavioral Efficiency 54,000 9,739 $0.039
Building Code 600 906 $0.010
Design Assistance 4 264 $0.006
EfficiencyWorks Business 448 12,751 $0.033
EfficiencyWorks Marketplace 12,739 2,262 $0.020
Epic Homes 653 434 $0.181
Income Qualified Efficiency 159 115 $0.143
Special Projects 69,291 11,966 $0.006
Distributed Renewables 454 4,396 $0.018
Total 138,348 42,834 $0.029
Figure 6. Annual Program Portfolio Energy Savings
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The pandemic impacted several programs, including:
The Efficiency Works Home program suspended the implementation of onsite
assessments due to the pandemic beginning in March. To continue providing services,
the program team pivoted to developing remote and virtual energy advising services for
homeowners.
The Efficiency Works Business program also suspended in person services due to the
pandemic, but continued providing incentives, delivered in collaboration with Platte
River Power Authority. The business program established the Smart Meter Savings
Program, which leverages AMI meter data to identify building commissioning
opportunities and engaged energy managers to modify building operations.
The Larimer County Conservation Corps Water and Energy Program completed energy
assessments and installation of efficiency equipment at over 150 households but were
forced to end program services early due to the pandemic. The Corps members
continued to provide valuable community services, primarily by volunteering their time
at the Larimer County Food Bank and providing volunteer assistance across the
community.
Utilities Community Engagement team was unable to host and attend in person events
but pivoted to virtual engagement opportunities with community members focused on
energy education and energy management.
Cumulative savings from energy efficiency programs since 2002 totaled 230,500,000 kWh of
avoided operational electricity use in 2020 (see Figure 7). Without efficiency programs,
community electricity use would be 15% higher. Comparatively, wind and solar energy sources
generated 416,000,000 kWh (or 27% of Utilities operational electricity use in 2020). A
combination of continued energy efficiency and renewables integration will be critical to
achieving the aspiration goals set in the Energy Policy and Our Climate Future. This has helped
keep our electricity consumption increase to only 4% since 2005, even with a growing
population and increased building stock.
Figure 7. Cumulative Program Portfolio Energy Savings
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Energy use in buildings went from 12,250,000,000 kBtu in 2005 to 13,150,000,000 kBtu in 2020,
an increase of 7%. However, building square footage has gone from 163,250,000 ft
2 in 2005 to
198,150,000 ft
2 in 2020, a 21% increase. This means that buildings in 2020 were 7% more
efficient than in 2005, using 66 kBtu per ft
2 instead of 75 kBtu per ft
2 (see Figure 8).
Figure 8. Natural Gas and Electricity Use per Square Foot
Electricity Supply
Resource Mix
The Energy Policy states specific goals for the electric resource mix, which include:
Less than 60% of electricity from fossil fuels by 2020
Minimum of 20% of electricity from wind and solar by 2020
o Minimum of 2% of electricity from local renewables by 2020
In 2018, the City of Fort Collins adopted a 100% renewable electricity goal by 2030. This
resolution also included existing hydro electricity resources in the definition of renewable (also
known as non carbon or non fossil).
In 2020, Utilities moved toward these goals with 54% from fossil fuels (includes coal, natural gas
and regional purchases), 19% from hydro, and 27% from wind and solar (with 1.8% of that from
local renewables) (see Figure 9 and Table 3).Additionally, 46% of electricity supply came from
non carbon resources. Wind and solar energy source has steadily increased from only 2% in
2005 (see Figure 10).
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Figure 9. 2020 Operational Electricity Resource Mix
Table 3. Operational Electricity Resource Mix 2005, 2019 and 2020
2005 2019 2020
MWh %MWh %MWh %
Fossil Fuels 1,107,732 76 1,043,544 67 817,941 54
Hydro 319,594 22 290,411 19 287,526 19
Wind 31,499 2 167,186 11 356,291 23
Solar 0 0 50,477 3 59,791 4
Total* 1,458,857 1,551,618 1,521,549
Figure 10. Wind and Solar Energy Percentage of Total Electricity
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Distributed Generation
Distributed generation capacity has increased from 1,222 kW in 2005 to 20,989 kW in 2020 (see
Figure 11).This is the result from residential and commercial solar rebate programs, solar
purchase power agreements and community solar. There were 454 new renewable energy
installations in 2020, adding over 3,250 in kW capacity.Utilities has an additional 24,000 kW of
utility scale solar operated by Platte River Power Authority (PRPA).
Figure 11. Fort Collins Distributed Generation Capacity
Reliability and Demand Response
Reliability remained high in 2020 with an uptime of 99.9981%and an average system outage
time of 10 minutes (see Table 4).Fort Collins also remained among the topmost reliable utilities
for duration and frequency of outages based on standards set by the American Public Power
Association (APPA)(see Figure 12).
Table 4. 2020 Reliability Metrics
DATE ASAI CAIDI SAIDI SAIFI MAIFI
12/31/2020 99.9981%59.5 10.2 .17 0
View metrics on the Electric System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) in Minutes
dashboard at fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/economic health/electric system average
interruption duration index saidi in minutes/.
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Figure 12. Fort Collins Reliability Comparison to Other Utilities
Peak Partners, a demand response portfolio of programs, allowed us to reduce peak loads in
2020 by up to 1,800 kW, with a capacity to reduce peak loads by 4,200 kW. Peak Partners offers
wi fi enabled thermostats (including a partnership with Nest and Honeywell) and water heater
controllers to help residential customers reduce their energy demand at peak times.
Modifications were made to the program in 2018 to proactively help customers shift load with
the TOD rate. Early results indicate over 430 MWh per year of shifted load, with customers
saving an average of $50 per year. Peak Partners also works with commercial customers to use
building automation features that reduce electricity demand during monthly peak events.
Community Economics and Partnerships
Through efficiency and renewable projects in the community, Utilities has generated over $44
million in local economic benefits through reduced utility bills, direct rebates and leveraged
investment. Investing in energy efficiency and solar job sectors supported an estimated 247
more jobs in our community than investing in other job sectors (see Table 5*).According to the
Clean Jobs Colorado 2020 Report, there are an estimated 3,566 clean energy jobs in the Fort
Collins Loveland Metro Area, and Colorado ranks among the top ten states in the U.S. for jobs
in wind, bioenergy and overall renewable energy.
*Calculations from American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy Fact Sheet:Does
Energy Efficiency Create
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Table 5. Local Economic Benefits from Energy Efficiency and Solar Projects
Energy Efficiency Dollar Amount ($M)Notes
Leveraged Investment (2019) $4.2 Incentives are typically 1/2 of project
cost
Prior Year Utility Cost Savings (2002 2018) $16.5 Direct customer bill savings
Direct Incentives (2019) $4.2 Annual incentives in 2019
Annual Utility Cost Savings (2019) $3.7 Annual savings for 2019
Indirect and Induced Benefits (2019) $4.2 50% multiplier on incentives and
investment
Energy Services Expenditures (2019)$6.8 Annual utilities expenditures
Total Energy Efficiency ($M)$25.8
Renewables
Leveraged Investment (2019) $8.2 Actual costs minus incentives
Prior Year Utility Cost Savings (2005 2018) $5.7 Direct customer bill savings
Direct Incentives (2019) $0.8 Annual incentives in 2019
Annual Utility Cost Savings (2019) $0.4 Annual savings for 2019
Indirect and Induced Benefits (2019) $4.5 50% multiplier on incentives and
investment
Energy Services Expenditures (2019)$1.1 Annual utilities expenditures
Total Renewables ($M)$18.5
Total $44.4
EE Jobs Analysis EE Path Business as Usual Path
Jobs per $M 20 17
2019 Investment ($M) $8.3 $8.3
Gross Jobs 170 145
Net Jobs 25
Cumulative annual shift in utility bill spending ($M)$20.2 $20.2
Jobs per $M 17 10
Gross Jobs 349 200
Net Jobs 149
Net EE Jobs 174
Solar Jobs Analysis Solar Path Business as Usual Path
Jobs per $M 20 17
2019 Investment ($M) $9.0 $9.0
Gross Jobs 183 156
Net Jobs 27
Cumulative annual shift in utility bill spending ($M)$6.1 $6.1
Jobs per $M 17 10
Gross Jobs 106 61
Net Jobs 45
Net Solar Jobs 72
Combined Net Jobs 247
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Utilities collaborates with many partner organizations to achieve these community impacts and
Energy Policy goals. Partners in 2020 included, but were not limited to:
Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and other owner municipalities (Loveland Water
and Power; Longmont Power and Communications; and Estes Park Light and Power)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Energy Outreach Colorado
Colorado Energy Office
Xcel Partners in Energy
Colorado State University
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Our Climate Future partners
Rates
In July 2020, the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU) surveyed 44 utilities to
determine the average cost of electricity in Colorado. Based on that data, Fort Collins Utilities'
price for 700 kilowatt hours (kWh) of use was $11.50 less than the average across other
municipal utilities and $24 and $19 lower than the average of cooperative and investor owned
utilities, respectively. Residential rates also ranked among the lowest residential rates for
Colorado municipal utilities,while providing high quality programs in business energy
efficiency, residential energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Figure 13. Rate Comparison to Other Utilities
(fcgov.com/utilities/residential/rates/electric/how we compare)
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As noted in the introduction, 2020 was a year unlike any other. The COVID 19 pandemic forced
rapid and unprecedented changes for residents and businesses operations. These changes were
immediately visible in changing patterns of electricity use.
Utilities quickly established a data to represent the impact of the pandemic on the
community and the Utilities organization. The dashboard was updated weekly to support
awareness and decision making for Utilities management, the City Manager and City Council.
The selected data were community wide and sector specific electricity and water use, along
with the number of customer accounts which were behind on payments. Together, these
provided insight into the community response to dramatic changes we all experienced.
Figure 15 illustrates the dramatic changes in community electricity use as the community went
from partial closure, to stay at home orders and then to safer at home guidelines. In early May,
community use was down over 10%, with residential use slightly higher and commercial use
lower by over 20%. By the end of the year, community use was approximately 3% lower, with
residential use higher by 3% and commercial use lower by 11%.
Figure 14. Pandemic Impact on Community Electricity Use
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Looking Ahead
This will be the last annual update under the Energy Policy format. Moving forward, Fort Collins
has integrated Energy Policy objectives into the Our Climate Future Plan. Our Climate Future is
about the future of everyone in Fort Collins in these times of climate change, and it is our
community guide to creating the carbon neutral, zero waste and 100% renewable electricity
future we desire. This Plan presents implementation strategies to simultaneously address
climate, waste and energy goals. It also improves community equity and resilience outcomes,
and expresses and articulates an unwavering commitment to mitigating climate change with a
systems approach, centering in people and community priorities with an evergreen review
cycle.
Putting People First
Our Climate Future recognizes that if our aim is for everyone to benefit from these efforts, we
must intentionally put people at the center of the work. Our Climate Future is the first major
City planning effort with a defined intent to center its work in equity and lead with race.
Leading with race means that we recognize the most disparate outcomes in our country follow
racial lines and that Fort Collins is no exception. While Our Climate Future is an important step
forward, we know that equity is an ongoing journey. The City is committed to staying on the
path to put people at the center of our work.
Fort previous plans for climate action focused primarily on technical solutions more
renewable energy, more efficient homes and businesses, low emissions vehicles and more.
Technical solutions are important pieces of the climate change puzzle, yet without considering
people at the center of climate, energy and waste actions, the work get done, and
needs be met.
When we redesign our efforts to put people, their respective communities and community
defined priorities at the center of our approach, with technical solutions serving and uplifting
those priorities, climate action becomes a catalyst for addressing many of our challenges, from
affordable housing to a healthy economy to convenient ways to get around. As we make this
about each of us and what we care most about, we create space for more partners, leaders and
perspectives at the table and increase the effectiveness, innovation and scale of what is
possible in the next 10, 20 and 30 years.
New Approaches for Energy Services
For over 100 years, Utilities has been matching the production of electricity to the aggregate
load shape of the demand. As we proceed to increase the amount of variable renewable
electricity sources, such as wind and solar, we will need to also begin shaping and flexing the
demand load to align with the supply. This transition will take years, with electricity supply,
demand and storage working together to achieve a reliable, affordable and clean energy
system.
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Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, the Energy Services Division will be shifting the design and
implementation of customer programs with three co optimized technical outcomes:
Carbon reduction
Customer load shaping
Grid flexibility
The overall goal is to improve the energy productivity of buildings while improving occupant
comfort, safety and health, as well as enhancing the purpose and performance of the activities
taking place in buildings. In other words, to use energy more productively and efficiently while
improving outcomes for historically underserved groups and supporting other sustainability
objectives.
All energy programs are, in effect, shaping the amount and timing of electricity use (shaping
load), impacting greenhouse gas emissions by increasing or decreasing use and associated
sources (carbon) and have the potential for active management (grid flexibility). From energy
codes to efficiency retrofits to distributed solar to batteries and electric vehicles, they all can
align to the updated triad of outcomes for carbon reduction, load shaping and grid flexibility.
Utilities will be advancing the role buildings can play in energy system operations and planning
by optimizing across distributed energy resources (DERs), such as efficient design, flexible loads,
energy generation and storage.
These strategies drive greater affordability, efficiency, resiliency and reliability, recognizing that:
building end uses can be dynamically managed to reduce energy cost, consumption,
help meet grid needs and minimize electricity system costs, while meeting
comfort and productivity requirements.
technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV), electrochemical and thermal energy storage,
combined heat and power (CHP), electric vehicles (EVs), other DERs and microgrids, can
be co optimized with buildings to provide greater value and resiliency to both utility
customers and the electricity system.
the value of energy efficiency, demand response and other services provided by behind
the meter DERs can vary by building type, location, hour, season and year.
A key part of these strategies includes utilizing efficient building design and operational
strategies coupled with smart technologies (sensors, actuators, controllers, etc.) and highly
efficient building equipment for building energy management. The vision is the integration and
continuous optimization of DERs in alignment with community sustainability outcomes.
21
Programs
Ongoing Utilities programs to reduce carbon, shape load and provide grid flexibility include:
Business Energy Efficiency
o Efficiency Works (for businesses and multi family residences)
o Integrated Design Assistance Program
o Building Energy and Water Scoring
Residential Energy Efficiency
o Epic Homes (for single family owner and renter occupied residences)
o Appliance Rebates
o Consumer Product Rebates
o Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling
o Home Energy Reports
o Larimer County Conservation Corps
Renewable Energy
o Commercial and Residential Solar Rebates
o Community Solar
Demand Response
o Peak Partners
Building Code and Compliance
View more information about the Energy Policy and programs at www.fcgov.com/what we do.
Thank You
We would like to share our thanks to the hundreds of contractors, consultants, residents, and
business partners that make our programs successful.
If you have any questions about the Energy Policy or this report, please contact us at
energyservices@fcgov.com.