Advanced technology energizes Yellowstone Valley Co-op
by John Pankratz, Western's Upper Great Plains Energy Services manager
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| Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative's new 11,326 square-foot building boasts four 10-ton geothermal heat pumps that provide energy-efficient year-round building conditioning for less than $2,800 a year. |
Thanks to increased population and economic development Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a member of Central Montana Electric Cooperative, can look forward to system growth and new members. YVEC recently completed its first year in a new technologically advanced headquarters building in Huntley, Mont.
Managing resources, cutting costs
The 11,326 square-foot building houses one of the most modern communications operations in the state. A high speed intranet backbone supports computer networks and the Internet-protocol telephone system. The heating and cooling system—a ground source heat pump—is also state-of-the-art.
YVEC Manager Terry Holzer said, "Although the new building is twice the size of the old one, we can heat and cool it for half the cost. Four 10-ton geothermal heat pumps use 30 300-foot vertical ground loops under the parking area to provide energy-efficient year-round building conditioning. A centralized energy management system controls the temperature in each room. Total heating and cooling costs are less than $2,800 a year.
Getting community buy-in
"We involved co-op members and employees in the new building's planning and design process. They know everything about the building—including the $1.5 million price tag," Holzer added.
The headquarters sits on 3.5 acres and was developed along with a 7.5-acre business park. The new business park hopes to attract high-technology businesses that require state-of-the-art services in rural settings.
YVEC has grown from 900 members in 1940, to more than 11,000 today. The new headquarters is positioned to meet continued regional growth and is a great example of efficiently meeting that challenge.
