LPEA hosts Beneficial Electrification Workshop Feb. 27

Co-op reprises free information series to support consumer-members

DURANGO, Colo. – La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) will reprise its free community education series on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 with a discussion of Beneficial Electrification, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., lunch included. All community members are invited.

“Beneficial Electrification is the wise use of electricity and something we at LPEA have been implementing for decades,” said Dominic May, energy management supervisor, who will conduct the workshop. “The electric industry as a whole recently coined the broad term of Beneficial Electrification to better define the concept for consumers.”

Essentially, Beneficial Electrification is the (increased) consumption of electricity in end-uses that would more traditionally be powered by fossil fuels, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“LPEA is looking forward to the opportunities that Beneficial Electrification can present our membership as we move toward our goal of de-carbonization,” said Dan Harms, manager of rates, technology and energy policy. “There are opportunities to do things in a more efficient way with a resource that is becoming increasingly more renewable.”

Indeed, the electric grid is moving steadily toward more renewable sources of power generation.

“Doesn’t it make sense to use electricity when it is generated from a renewable resource?” said May. “Add to that, technology has made electric devices more efficient, plus advancements in power plant technology and renewable development will continue to reduce the environmental impact of the electric system. These two converging trends are clarifying that electricity is a smart choice.”

A very visible indication of this trend is the growth in Electric Vehicles (EV). Instead of driving a car on gas, consumers can opt to do it with electricity. And taking it a step further, they can be cognizant of when they charge their electric vehicles to coincide more with when renewable energy generation occurs – solar power during the day, perhaps wind at night, as well as consuming electricity in off-peak periods through programs like LPEA’s Time-of-Use.

“LPEA optimizes the use of its grid,” said Harms. “The more we can do that, the more it saves our members money in the long run. With EVs, for example, it’s a very shapeable load (for us) because you can choose to fill that EV battery to minimize the impact to the grid. Plus, an electric loader in a car is much more efficient than an internal combustion engine – Beneficial Electrification.”

“There are some exciting possibilities out there that can help us reduce members’ costs while at the same time giving our members a cleaner, greener, more efficient way of doing something that they already do every day,” said May. “I look forward to presenting a high-level view to help our consumer-members understand things they can do easily. This will be a continuing educational effort and we at LPEA look forward to the information process.”

As lunch will be provided at the workshop, reservations are required. Email May to reserve a seat at dmay@lpea.coop, or call LPEA, 970.247.5786 for additional details.

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its more than 30,000 members, with in excess of 43,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For further information, contact LPEA at 970.247.5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.