Fort Collins Utilities Earns National Recognition for Energy Innovation

Fort Collins Utilities has been awarded the Excellence in Resourcefulness — Energy award by Frost & Sullivan, recognizing the city’s innovative approach to managing its grid resources. The award underscores the utility’s commitment to achieving affordability and climate objectives while setting a precedent for energy management.

The city of Fort Collins aims to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2050. To support these goals, the utility collaborates with customers to promote energy efficiency and reduce consumption. Key initiatives include the implementation of Time-of-Use rates and a distributed energy resources management system (DERMS). These programs encourage residents to shift their energy use to off-peak times, when electricity generation is cleaner and more economical.

Fort Collins Utilities has successfully managed energy usage, alleviating peak demand stress while serving as a national model for next-generation energy technologies. This includes advancements in electric vehicle (EV) integration, which play a significant role in the utility’s energy strategy.

“Our team has worked hard to bring advanced grid technologies from concept to reality,” said Pablo Bauleo, Senior Energy Services Engineer at Fort Collins Utilities. “Every improvement we make — whether in smart controls or data analytics — helps us deliver more reliable, efficient energy to our community while paving the way for a cleaner future.”

To further enhance its capabilities, Fort Collins has partnered with Itron to integrate various smart devices, including smart thermostats and grid-interactive water heaters. These technologies enable the utility to manage demand actively and in real-time, even down to the neighborhood level.

Frost & Sullivan, a global consulting firm that specializes in growth strategy and market intelligence, commended Fort Collins Utilities for its leadership in creating a smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effective energy future for the community.

This recognition reflects a significant step towards Fort Collins’ ambitious climate goals and highlights the importance of innovative resource management in addressing contemporary energy challenges. The city continues to make strides in its commitment to sustainability while setting an example for others to follow.