Smart Energy Provider#
What is the Smart Energy Provider Program?#
Customer Connections staff all play a part in the SEP designation.
The American Public Power Association’s Smart Energy Provider (SEP) program acknowledges utilities that demonstrate 'green' practices. Utilities apply for the designation, and an expert review panel evaluates applications to ensure utilities meet criteria.
Fort Collins Utilities is one of 97 public power utilities that received the two-year designation in 2021. The designation recognized our commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, renewable energy and environmental initiatives. Through the SEP program, we have a chance to learn, grow and improve our smart energy practices, as well as serve as an example for others striving for excellence in these areas.
Areas of Evaluation#
The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.
The designation recognizes electric utilities that exhibit leading practices in the following areas.
Smart Energy Information
Structuring a smart energy program into operations, engaging in research and development in areas including energy efficiency, sustainability and distributed energy resources, and benchmarking these programs against utilities with similar attributes.
Energy Efficiency & Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
Offering a variety of energy efficiency and DER programs, such as supply-side and demand-side energy efficiency programs, demand response, distributed generation and storage, to different types of customers.
Environmental & Sustainability Programs/Initiatives
Working to reduce emissions and other adverse impacts to the environment through programs and partnerships with other community stakeholders. This includes tracking and evaluating emissions and savings from smart energy programs.
Communication, Education & Customer Experience
Communicating with customers about smart energy policies, procedures, programs and evaluating customer satisfaction with smart energy programs. This includes training customer service representatives to enhance the customer experience with these programs.
The SEP program started in December 2019, when designations were officially conferred at the American Public Power Association’s Customer Connections Conference.
Learn more about SEP and how to achieve the designation.
Did You Know?
When warm enough, you can save ~50 cents/load by hanging your laundry on a clothesline. Clotheslines are allowed everywhere in Fort Collins.
Setting your refrigerator to recommended 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit helps save energy.
Installing cooking vent hood controls with VFD fans and sensors (rebates available) at your business can help save energy and money.