Tuesday night, President Obama laid out his vision for renewable energy in a speech to a joint session of Congress. He said, “[w]e know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century.” Among projects awaiting funding is Fort ZED, short for “zero energy district”, in Fort Collins, Colorado. The town of Fort Collins and Colorado State University have entered into a partnership referred to as “UniverCity“. This joint venture aims to be a “zero energy district“. All energy needed for the town and school will be produced within a 50 mi (80km) radius by new renewable energy projects. In addition, plug-in hybrids will compose a significant portion of the vehicle fleet in order to reduce the need for fossil fuels. Lastly, energy efficiency upgrades will complete the transition to a zero energy district. Fort ZED backers estimate the price tag to fully implement the initiative at $200 million.

UniverCity Collaborative from Univercity Connections on Vimeo.

Fort ZED will make use of a smart grid. This system will constantly monitor supply and “balance it with its demand in the most efficient way possible.” Local NPR affliate KUNC, out of Greeley, Colorado, has a three minute and a half minute audio clip of an interview with Northern Colorado business editor Tom Hacker detailing the project.

- Eric Wilson