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Efficiency Program

Electric Efficiency Program at a glance: • Provides funding for energy-efficiency projects at commercial and industrial facilities • Projects must provide reliable, measurable, and verifiable savings • An application must be submitted and approved and a Project Implementation Agreement signed before materials are ordered and before demolition or installation has begun. • Payment is made when a customer submits a Request for Payment and copies of project-related invoices upon completion of the project.

The Electric Efficiency Program (EEP)

What's New in 2007

Every month the payments you make for energy come directly out of your organization's bottom line. It makes sense to do everything you can to use the energy you purchase as productively as possible. That's why Platte River Power Authority has teamed up with the Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland electric utilities to offer the Electric Efficiency Program.

EEP incentive funding offers a great opportunity for you to save on utility costs and boost productivity by upgrading to more efficient equipment. At the same time, these upgrades help reduce the need to add expensive new generating resources to the electric system. Participation in EEP pays off for everyone!

·         To access and download application forms or instructions, go to:

Application Forms, Instructions, and Supporting Materials

·         For an overview of program incentives, eligibility criteria, and project administration procedures, please see the information below.

Overview of the Project Process
Incentive Availability and Determination
Eligible Types of Measures
Participant Eligibility

For additional information or assistance please contact an energy services representative at (970) 226-4000 or email electricefficiency@prpa.org

Overview of the Project Process

An EEP project takes place in four straightforward steps:

1.      Identify and Plan

Ideas for projects that boost efficiency in your operation originate in many ways. You, your contractor, or your design professional may identify promising opportunities. In addition, Platte River's energy specialists can help you identify and evaluate potential projects. Eventually ideas are turned into proposals, with specific descriptions of what is to be done, together with cost, savings, and payback estimates. Frequently proposals take the form of bids or work proposals from contractors, engineering firms, or energy service companies.

2.      Apply for EEP Funding

Complete and submit the funding application forms, which can be downloaded at Application Forms, Instructions, and Supporting Materials. Platte River will work with you to complete the application and to develop a savings measurement and verification plan, if necessary, for your project. Once the application is reviewed and approved, a Project Implementation Agreement is signed by Platte River and the program Participant, committing funding to the project as defined in the application.

Note:

·         Installation of packaged high-efficiency air conditioning is typically supported through the Cooling Rebate Program. For equipment types not covered by the Cooling Rebate Program, incentives may be available through the Electric Efficiency Program.

·         Energy-efficient lighting upgrades are typically supported through LIGHTENUP.

3.      Install

Proceed with installation of the project.

4.      Verify and Collect

Payment is made upon completion of the project. Before requesting payment, the application should be updated to reflect any changes to the project.

To request payment, print and sign a Request for Payment form. Send the Request for Payment and copies of project invoices to Platte River Energy Services.

An energy services representative may contact you to arrange a site visit to verify completion of the project before payment is issued. Payment is typically received in four to six weeks. If the project requires additional measurement and verification of savings (as identified during the application process), the payment will be split into two halves. The first half is paid upon completion of the installation, and remaining portion is paid after the measurement and verification is completed.

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How Incentives are Determined

Incentives are based on the project electric energy or demand savings, project cost and annual savings.

The Nominal Incentive is the greater of the Energy Incentive or Demand Incentive:

·         The Energy Incentive is $0.10 per annual kWh saved.

·         The Demand Incentive is $500 per kW saved during the Summer Peak Period (Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m., June through August, inclusive). The demand savings is the one-hour average and should be based on the projected operation of the equipment during summer peak conditions rather than maximum equipment ratings.

The Actual Incentive is the lesser of the Nominal Incentive and the following two incentive caps:

·         Sixty percent (60%) of project cost — The total project incentive shall not be greater than 60% of the total cost to implement the project.

·         One-year simple payback period — The total project incentive shall not be greater than that which reduces the simple payback period of the project to one year.

Maximum Incentive Per Customer
An additional cap of $70,000 per customer, per year, may also be applied to ensure the program budget is distributed among several customers and to reduce risk that a significant portion of the program’s funds fail to be used if the project is not completed. This cap may be waived at Platte River’s discretion, pending availability of funds. Contact Platte River Energy Services (link to bottom of page) for more information.

Important Notes on Incentive Availability

·         Incentive funding is limited by annual budget and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Platte River Energy Services to ensure that funding is available for your project.

·         Funding is assured only after your application has been submitted, approved and a Project Implementation Agreement has been signed.