Fort Collins zero-energy district powers down
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2017/09/10/fort-collins-zero-energy-district-powers-down/646429001/Sept. 10, 2017
A nationally known Fort Collins initiative that promoted clean energy, innovation and community collaboration has run out of steam.
FortZED, which began with the idea of creating a district that generated as much energy as it used — ZED stands for zero energy district — was formally dissolved last month by its steering committee. The decision marks the end of a 10-year run during which the project pioneered ideas for energy efficiency, distribution and conservation.
The demise of FortZED as entity does not mean it was a failure. It’s more a matter of changing times and transformation, said Mayor Wade Troxell.
In many ways, the community has moved on and embraced energy efficiency and the tenets that come with it, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he said....
...he project received a $6.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and an addition $5 million in funding from local contributors. Partners included the city, Larimer County, CSU, New Belgium Brewing Co., and the technology company Spirae....
...FortZED’s vision of establishing a
zero-energy district covering downtown Fort Collins and CSU was never realized. Among the things that got in the way were current regulation and accepted practices for energy distribution, Troxell said....
