More than 20 projects were installed and tested during 2011. Projects are located at five FortZED electric end-users for a combined controllable load of 5 megawatts. Testing occurred on two of the eight electric feeders serving FortZED with a peak demand of 7-8 megawatts per feeder.

Technology Partners

Advanced Energy, Eaton, Spirae, VanDyne SuperTurbos, Woodward, Inc.

Sample Jump Start Projects

  • Solar photovoltaic panels
  • Advanced controls for onsite generators
  • Mixed fuel generator controls
  • Microturbine
  • Pug-in hybrid vehicles
  • Advanced inverter
  • Measures to reduce electric energy demand at certain times by shutting
    down equipment

SMART PROJECTS

RDSI, FortZED’s Jump Start

The “FortZED” project, which aims to create a district that produces as much energy as it uses – the largest of its kind in the world - is making significant progress. FortZED, or the Fort Collins Zero Energy District, includes the Fort Collins campus of Colorado State University (CSU) and much of Old Town Fort Collins.

Thanks to a $6.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and $5 million in local community support, the FortZED “RDSI” project – which stands for Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration—will jump start FortZED by testing out a number of technologies that reduce peak energy use and integrate renewable energy, such as solar panels, into the district’s electric energy system.

Technology Testing Sites

  • City of Fort Collins
  • Colorado State University
  • Larimer County
  • New Belgium Brewing
  • Integrid Lab at CSU’s Engines and Energy Conversion Lab

Benefits of the Jump Start

  • Provides valuable research for the Department of Energy’s nationwide RDSI program, which includes 9 demonstration projects
  • 20-30 percent peak electric demand load reduction on the two feeders
  • Supports the City’s electric supply policy and greenhouse gas reduction goals
  • Provides a critical mass for adoption of 45 MW vision for all of FortZED
  • Supports the existing and future clean energy economy in the region with participating local companies showcasing their technologies and potentially attracting new companies to the region.

Need more information?

Here's a brief glossary of FortZED terminology.

Need a quick overview of the project? Here's a flyer for you to download and print.