ENHANCING MEMBER CHOICE

SMPA’S Time-of-Use (TOU) rate offers members a discount on energy for 19 hours of the day, 11¢ / kWh (previously 13.5¢ / kWh). During the 5 hour “Peak” period of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., members see a higher rate (22¢ /kWh).

Here's how members with varied energy needs can make TOU work for them:

Jennifer Jones

Jennifer

Occupation: Customer Service Rep

Values: Family, comfort, worry-free appliances, power reliability

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load ProfileAnnual Kwh Used: 11,658
Average power bill (Before Time-of-Use): $158.89
Average power bill (After Time-of-Use): $148.33

Jennifer works during the day and uses a lot of power around dinnertime. Under the new rate, she may see an average $6 /mo. increase in her monthly bill. She did some research and found that her family qualifies for the SMPA I.Q. program. Now, she’ll be getting a water heater timer, and a mini-split air source heat pump, which creates more heat with less energy, to replace the baseboard heating in the baby’s room. These tools will help her save money by drawing discounted power. The heat will be there when she needs it, and the equipment and installation was free!

Jennifer received $75 for her water heater timer, helping eliminate the $6 monthly increase

Jenny and baby are more comfortable with an air-source heat pump

Jennifer is pleased with her reduced energy use thanks to her new heat pump and water heater timer

hector guttierez

Hector

Occupation: Farmer

Values: Running his business, protecting the environment, keeping his industry healthy

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load ProfileAnnual Kwh Used: 17,756
Average power bill (Before Time-of-Use): $229.75
Average power bill (After Time-of-Use and Totally Green Membership): $238.85

Hector runs irrigation pumps during the day. Under a time-of-use rate, most of the power he uses will be discounted. With the money he saves, he can save up for equipment upgrades, and he may even join SMPA’s Totally Green program to ensure that his farm operations are powered by 100% renewable sources, like wind, solar and hydro.

Hector saves money on the TOU rate because he uses most of his power off-peak

Hector feels good for lowering his carbon footprint with Totally Green

Hector supports beneficial electrification rebates for himself and his fellow members

hector guttierez

Mindy

Occupation: Accountant

Values: Environmental stewardship, feeling good about their choices, making a difference

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load ProfileAnnual Kwh Used: 6,439
Average power bill (Before Time-of-Use): $100.29
Average power bill (After Time-of-Use): $94.91

Mindy and her husband just bought an electric vehicle (EV). At a ride-and-drive event, they learned how to set their garage EV charger (SMPA has rebates for these) to schedule charging off-peak to take advantage of the discounted energy. They saved money with rebates and tax credits. Now, under a time-of-use electric rate, they’re saving even more.

Mindy and her husband are pleased that their EV helps them have a lower carbon footprint

The couple's EV helps them save on gas, oil and maintenance

In the future, the Mindy's home will be vehicle-to-grid capable

Shaun

Occupation: Veterinarian

Values: Keeping the power on especially in emergencies, saving money so they can prioritize the animals

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load ProfileAnnual Kwh Used: 22,284
Average power bill (Before Time-of-Use): $278.18
Average power bill (After Time-of-Use): $275.73

The animal hospital has been looking to replace their diesel-powered generator with batteries to ensure better reliability for their refrigerated storage. An SMPA rebate helps to make the purchase pencil out. Under a time-of-use rate, they can also use the battery to move much of their energy purchases to discounted time frames. This shortens their return-on-investment even more.

SMPA beneficial electrification and energy efficiency rebates helped reduce the cost of their batteries

Batteries helped the animal hospital save money by avoiding peak energy prices; they also support grid stability

More reliable and climate- friendly contingency power for refrigeration of medicine

hector guttierez

Hannah

Occupation: Library Director

Values: Saving money to make limited funding go further, visitor comfort, long-term solutions

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load ProfileAnnual Kwh Used: 50,504
Average power bill (Before Time-of-Use): $587.92
Average power bill (After Time-of-Use): $583.80

The library director was considering a purchase of on-site batteries to save money under a time-of-use rate. She found that, for a much lower investment, the library can purchase an Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) furnace to always keep the interior at a comfortable temperature using only inexpensive daytime energy. The Board’s going to love those savings!

The library received a rebate for their ETS furnace

An ETS furnace was ten times cheaper than on-site batteries, saving the library money

ETS furnaces are far less carbon intensive than batteries, so Hannah can feel good about her greener choice

hector guttierez

Sarah

Occupation: Power Supply Director

Values: Members’ needs and comfort, keeping rates fair and equitable, lowering carbon footprint

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Average Daily Load Profile

Sarah faces the evolving energy landscape in Colorado. She's grappling with an aging grid infrastructure while striving to integrate exciting new technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps. Sarah is under pressure to meet increasing renewable energy targets. On top of that, she's navigating rising wholesale power supply costs, making accurate capacity cost association in retail electricity rates crucial. To manage these challenges, Sarah is exploring a wave of new energy management tools, from smart appliances and battery storage to load control EV chargers and smart panels. She's dedicated to keeping the lights on and ensuring a reliable, sustainable energy future for her community.

TOU rates help Sarah avoid multi-million dollar upgrade to stabilize grid, keeping rates fair and equitable for members

Energy management tools help keep power cost lower and pass the savings to member-owners

Energy management tools help Sarah pass on a lower carbon footprint to the entire community

Jennifer

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Hector

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Mindy

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Shaun

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Hannah

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

Sarah

_{* Fictional usage profiles are generated from actual SMPA member data.}

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