Ask the Energy Expert
Does Cuivre River offer Green Power?By Kevin Hurd, Manager of Member Services
Q. I've been hearing about renewable power initiatives. Does Cuivre offer "Green Power"?
A. Yes. Cuivre River's wholesale power suppliers, Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI) and Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC), give us the opportunity to offer "Green Power" to members who wish to purchase energy generated by renewable resources. AECI has exclusive rights to purchase the energy output of the majority of turbines constructed on wind farms in northwest Missouri. CEPC operates a biomass-permitted plant in Chamois, Missouri.
Q. Does Cuivre River supply green power for everyone?
A. No. We're pleased to offer renewable energy, but it comes to us at a higher price. We let our members who are willing to pay an extra 2.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (kwh) choose to purchase renewable energy if they wish.
Recent member surveys show that many members like the idea of renewable energy, but more than 90% are unwilling to pay more. This is consistent across all age groups.
Since Green Power is more expensive, we give members a choice, and work to keep our power costs as low as possible for the majority of our members — especially as the cost of electricity produced by all fuel sources remains volatile.
Even at higher costs our Green Power program, which began in 2004, continues to grow. Cuivre River members buy 44,500 kwhs of Green Power each month. Annual sales have increased to 534,000 kwhs.
Q. Why is Green Power more expensive?
A. Most renewable resources — especially large scale wind and solar energy applications — are not available on demand. They are more difficult and costly to convert into electricity for delivery to the power grid. In addition, power generated by these types of facilities must be backed by other generation resources to maintain a steady, reliable power supply.
Q. Is Cuivre River's program similar to other local renewable energy programs?
A. No. When Cuivre River members purchase Green Power, energy generated from renewable resources is actually delivered to the utility grid for them. Other programs recently in the news offer customers the opportunity to support renewable resource development for an extra charge per kwh, but do not provide electricity.
Q. If I order Green Power, how can I tell what I'm really getting?
A. All kwhs look the same once they enter the transmission network. We cannot guarantee that electrons which leave a wind farm or biomass plant are delivered to your meter. We can guarantee that the amount you order will be delivered onto our power grid for you.
Q. How do I enroll in Green Power?
A. April is a good time to enroll. An order placed by April 26 will deliver Green Power to you beginning July 1, and for the next 12 months. The cost, an extra $2.50 per 100 kwh block, will begin to appear on your July or August electric bill.
Our suppliers require three months' advance notice and a 12-month commitment. A single 100 kwh block costs an extra $30/year. Multiple blocks are available.
You can enroll by using the form below. You can also call me at 800.392.3709, ext. 231, or e-mail khurd@cuivre.com.
Green Power Program open enrollment is this month. Green Power orders can also be placed quarterly by special request.
Your Power Supply and Fuel Mix
Clean, low-cost coal is the primary fuel used to generate electricity for Cuivre River members.
Hydropower and natural gas are important secondary sources of power when the seasonal demand for energy is high.
Green power is available from Missouri wind farms and a cooperative-owned biomass facility.
Your cooperative power suppliers acquired energy from these resources to meet member needs last year:
Coal 79.8%
Hydro 8.9%
Natural Gas 6.1%
Purchases 3.7%
Wind* 1.5%
*100% of available capacity
Your power suppliers include:
Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC), Jefferson City, Mo., provides regional transmission lines and generates electricity from coal and biomass in Chamois, Mo.
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), Springfield, Mo., generates electricity at coal and gas-based plants in Missouri and Oklahoma. AECI also acquires wind energy from Missouri wind farms and hydropower from the Southwestern Power Administration.
In addition, AECI uses its 37 interchange agreements and 80 interconnection points to make power transactions with other utilities for the benefit of its cooperative members.
AECI and CEPC are currently sponsoring research at the Chamois Plant. The project is conducted by the Missouri University of Science and Technology and Lincoln University of Missouri and studies the use of flue gas from power plants to grow algae to reduce CO2 gas emissions.