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Energy Alternatives to Install 200,000th kW of Generation

Posted on: Thursday, 12 June 2008, 16:38 CDT

Energy Alternatives, a for-profit subsidiary of Dakota Electric Association, recently signed contracts to install its 129th project of utility peak-shaving and backup generation, bringing the company's total installations to 200,000 kilowatts (kW).

The milestone-reaching project for Energy Alternatives is an 800-kW backup generator installation for Target Corporation's new Waconia, MN, store. Energy Alternatives provides project design, management and financing for utilities and businesses seeking to install backup generation.

"We appreciate the confidence our customers have in us," Energy Alternatives President Dale Gundberg said, "Installing a generator involves a lot of engineering and permitting requirements and Energy Alternatives' staff has the experience to do it right."

Known for its strong customer service, Energy Alternatives has completed 129 generator projects for more than 90 businesses and utilities in five states. In its 15-year history, Energy Alternatives has installed generator systems as small as 100 kW and as large as 18,000 kW. Energy Alternatives will soon be featured nationally on an episode of Eye on America, hosted by Greg Gumbel.

Energy Alternatives' client list includes Ecolab, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, Cub Foods, Target, Menards, Great River Energy, RR Donnelley, numerous casinos, school districts, cities and utilities.

With options to own or lease the equipment, Energy Alternatives provides an analysis to determine the benefits of installing on-site generation based on utility rate savings and reliability compared to overall project costs. The company accounts for all project costs including the equipment, permitting, and installation as well as the ongoing maintenance, fueling and monitoring costs.

"Often, the savings on the electric bill will cover the cost of backup generation," Gundberg said. "It becomes an easy decision when we can present a plan to install backup generation for little or no out-of-pocket expense."

The Target project recently broke ground with plans for it to be online and providing backup power and energy savings by September.

Energy Alternatives, a for-profit subsidiary of Dakota Electric Association, provides project management for generator installations for commercial and industrial customers. They design and install generators, providing ownership or leasing options, which many times provide rate savings with the customer's utility company. To find out more, go to www.energyalternative.com.

A customer-owned, non-profit utility since 1937, Dakota Electric Association provides electricity to more than 100,000 members throughout Dakota County and portions of Goodhue, Rice and Scott counties. Dakota Electric, a Touchstone Energy Partner, serves its member/owners with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

Source: Business Wire

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