Tri-State conducts system-wide energy efficiency study

As part of its continued commitment to the wise use of energy, Tri-State has hired a firm to assess the market potential for electric energy savings in the association’s 250,000-square-mile service territory. Nextant, a Boulder-Colo.-based global energy software and consulting firm, is conducting the study.

Nexant has designed, delivered and managed many of the largest demand-side management (DSM) and energy efficiency incentive programs in the United States. For Tri-State and its member co-ops, Nexant will determine the potential for enhancing energy load management and achieving tangible, cost-effective energy efficiency savings that benefit the residential, commercial, irrigation and industrial customers within the association’s service territory.

The scope of the Nexant assessment spans a 15-year period between 2010 and 2025. When completed, it will help Tri-State’s energy efficiency and demand-side management planning efforts, and provide information to assist its member co-ops in identifying and developing more effective DSM and energy efficiency incentive programs.

“This is a significant initiative for Tri-State,” said Lowell Stave, senior manager of member services and rates at Tri-State. “It is an important step to identify the potential for long-term energy and cost savings on a comprehensive scale.”

For this assignment, Nexant is teamed with The Cadmus Group, which will provide load research, forecasting and other services to support Nexant’s overall assessment. Nexant plans to deliver the assessment to Tri-State by the spring of 2010.

Updated: September 16, 2009