United Cooperative Services Data Access Guide
United Cooperative Services is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving roughly 105,000 meters across 14 counties in North and Central Texas. It runs the NISC SmartHub platform (MyAccount), supports Green Button Download My Data with 15-minute interval data, and has opted out of ERCOT retail competition, so members buy energy from the cooperative rather than a competitive retailer.
How to Get Your United Cooperative Services Data: All Access Methods
| Method | 1st Party | 3rd Party | Customer Types | Data Types | Latency | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartHub MyAccount Portal | ✓ | — | All | Billing, 15-min interval usage, payments | Daily / monthly | PDF, web, XML |
| Green Button Download My Data | ✓ | ✓ | Smart-metered members | 15-minute interval usage | On-demand | XML (ESPI) |
| Green Button OAuth (Connect) | — | ✓ | Members authorizing apps | Interval usage | Automatic | XML (ESPI) |
| EDI (Texas SET) | — | ✓ | Retail providers / trading partners | Enrollment, usage, billing | Transaction-based | ANSI X12 v4.0A |
| Nectar API | — | ✓ | All | Billing, usage | Auto-pull | Structured |
Billing Data Access
UCS provides billing data through the NISC SmartHub MyAccount portal and mobile app. Bills are downloadable as PDFs, and the portal shows usage, payment history, and the Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF). Third-party billing access is available through Nectar with customer authorization — see docs.nectarclimate.com.
What Data Is on Your United Cooperative Services Bill
- Current and historical monthly bills
- Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF) breakdown
- Payment history
- Monthly usage summary by billing period
- Rate comparisons vs. other utilities
How to Download United Cooperative Services Bills (Business & Commercial)
- 01Log in to MyAccount with your business credentials
- 02Review monthly usage, demand, and PCRF charges in the Billing section
- 03Use Usage Explorer for granular consumption analysis
- 04Aggregate multiple meters/locations under one account where applicable
How to Download United Cooperative Services Bills (Residential)
- 01Visit https://myaccount.united-cs.com/ and register with your UCS account number and email
- 02Log in and open the Billing/Bills section
- 03Select a date range and open a bill to view details
- 04Download the PDF and review Payment History as needed
Third-Party Access to United Cooperative Services Billing Data
Nectar API (docs.nectarclimate.com)
- 01Customer registers with Nectar
- 02Adds United Cooperative Services and authenticates with MyAccount credentials
- 03Grants data scope and date range
- 04Nectar auto-fetches new bills and usage
Green Button File Sharing
- 01Customer downloads Green Button XML from SmartHub
- 02Sends the XML file to a consultant, auditor, or solar installer
- 03Third party parses interval data for analysis
Want to understand the charges on your bill?
See the United Cooperative Services Rate Schedules & Tariff Guide →Interval Data & Smart Meters
UCS has deployed AMI smart meters capable of 15-minute interval data through the NISC SmartHub platform. Members can view interval usage in Usage Explorer and download it via Green Button. A reverse-engineered SmartHub API (community project) can also pull 15-minute data programmatically.
How to Download United Cooperative Services Interval Data via Green Button
- 01Log in to MyAccount at https://myaccount.united-cs.com/
- 02Open the My Usage / Usage Data section
- 03Click Green Button Download My Data
- 04Select a date range (up to 14 months) and granularity (daily, monthly, or 15-minute)
- 05Download the zipped Green Button (ESPI) XML file
Interval data is essential for rate comparison and TOU analysis.
See which United Cooperative Services rate schedule is best for your usage pattern →Third-Party API Access
UCS does not publish an official developer portal, but the NISC SmartHub platform supports Green Button OAuth for authorized third-party apps. A community-maintained reverse-engineered SmartHub API can pull 15-minute interval data programmatically with member credentials.
Available United Cooperative Services API Endpoints
| Function | Endpoint | Method | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poll interval usage | SmartHub usage/poll (community-documented) | GET | JSON |
How to Register as a United Cooperative Services API Vendor
- 01For sanctioned access, use Green Button OAuth: customer authorizes your app via SmartHub login
- 02For programmatic access, obtain member credentials and use the SmartHub usage/poll endpoint (reverse-engineered)
- 03Extract serviceLocationNumber, then pull interval data by date range and granularity
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
Supported United Cooperative Services EDI Transaction Sets
| Code | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 814 | Enrollment Request/Response | Customer change/enrollment in the Texas retail market. |
| 867 | Product Transfer / Usage | Historical and ongoing usage data for retail provider enrollment. |
| 810 | Invoice | Billing transaction. |
| 820 | Remittance Advice | Payment notification. |
| 997 | Functional Acknowledgment | Receipt confirmation. |
How to Enroll in United Cooperative Services EDI
- 01Contact UCS (817-556-4000) or Business Development (817-782-8326)
- 02Provide trading partner information and intended transaction types
- 03Receive trading partner agreement and EDI technical specs
- 04Confirm X12 v4.0A support and transport (NAESB EDM 1.6 or direct/VAN)
- 05Complete testing, then go live
Rate Schedules & Tariff Analysis
UCS three-phase C&I rates pair a fixed facilities charge, a demand charge ($/kW on the highest 15-minute demand adjusted for power factor), and an energy charge ($/kWh), with a separate monthly Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF) and Securitized Charges Recovery Factor (SCRF). Notably, larger loads (≥700 kW) get a lower energy rate but a higher demand rate, so load factor and peak management drive the optimal schedule. A minimum billed demand of 80% of the highest May-October peak makes summer demand control especially important.
United Cooperative Services Rate Schedule List
| Schedule | Applicability |
|---|---|
| General Service 3-Phase (<700 kW) | $32.50/meter, $7.75/kW, $0.052874/kWh secondary |
| Industrial 3-Phase (≥700 kW) | $40.00/meter, $8.36/kW, $0.044019/kWh secondary |
| Large Power Contract | Negotiated; $65.00/meter (<700 kVA) |
United Cooperative Services Rate Features & TOU Details
- Demand charge set on highest 15-minute kW (power-factor adjusted)
- Lower energy rate but higher demand rate above 700 kW
- Monthly PCRF + SCRF pass-throughs on top of base rates
- 3% energy discount for primary-voltage service
- Minimum billed demand = 80% of highest May-Oct peak
For a deeper analysis including cost optimization strategies and historical rate trends:
Read the full United Cooperative Services Rate Optimization Guide →Sources
Other Data Access Programs
In-Home Energy Use Display (IHD)
Real-time in-home display program (limited quantities) showing kWh and approximate cost; requires a complimentary smart meter and a free trial period.
- 01Confirm eligibility (member in good standing 12+ months, principal residence)
- 02Download and complete the application form
- 03Email to IHD@ucs.net
- 04Accept meter install and 3-month free trial; keep for $12/mo or $120, or return
Community Solar
Optional community solar subscription for eligible members with a locked rate through 2038 and integrated billing.
- 01Confirm eligibility
- 02Subscribe via UCS
- 03Solar credits appear on the integrated bill
Distributed Generation Interconnection
Tariff section 205 governs distributed generation interconnection (facilities under 10 MW), with no net metering above 50 kW of connected generation.
- 01Review the DG provisions in the UCS tariff
- 02Submit an interconnection application
- 03Coordinate metering and contract terms with UCS
Limitations & Considerations
- ⚠Members cannot choose a competitive retail provider (cooperative opted out of ERCOT choice)
- ⚠No official public developer API (only Green Button OAuth and a community SmartHub API)
- ⚠Base C&I tariff dates to 2022; current bill totals depend on monthly PCRF/SCRF not published as fixed rates
- ⚠Large Power Contract demand/energy rates are negotiated and not fully public
- ⚠Interval history limited to roughly 13-14 months
United Cooperative Services Data Access FAQ
Can I get 15-minute interval data for my UCS commercial facility?▾
Yes. UCS uses the NISC SmartHub platform, which supports 15-minute interval data for smart-metered accounts. You can view it in Usage Explorer and download it via Green Button Download My Data (ESPI XML) for up to about 14 months. A community-maintained SmartHub API can also pull the same data programmatically with your credentials.
How does a consultant or solar provider get authorized access to our data?▾
Two sanctioned paths: (1) Green Button OAuth — the member logs into SmartHub and authorizes your application to pull interval data, revocable anytime; or (2) the member downloads the Green Button XML and shares the file directly. Nectar can also collect billing and usage data with member authorization — see docs.nectarclimate.com.
Why can't we choose a competitive retail provider even though UCS is in ERCOT?▾
Texas electric cooperatives may opt out of retail competition, and UCS has not opted in. As a member-owned cooperative it provides bundled delivery and energy, sourcing wholesale power through the Brazos Electric system. So unlike investor-owned utilities in deregulated ERCOT zones, UCS members buy energy from the cooperative and its board sets rates.
What drives our demand charges, and how is summer treated differently?▾
Demand charges apply to your highest 15-minute kW in the billing period, adjusted for power factor ($7.75/kW under 700 kW, $8.36/kW at or above 700 kW). Critically, your minimum billed demand is 80% of your highest May-October peak, so a single summer spike can inflate demand charges for months. Managing summer peaks and correcting power factor are the top cost levers.
Should a large facility be on the under-700 kW or 700 kW-plus schedule?▾
The ≥700 kW Industrial schedule has a lower energy rate ($0.044019/kWh secondary vs. $0.052874/kWh) but a higher demand charge ($8.36 vs. $7.75/kW). High-load-factor facilities benefit from the lower energy rate, while spiky loads may prefer the lower demand rate. Facilities near 700 kW should model both, and consider the 3% primary-voltage discount.
Does UCS support EDI for retail/trading-partner transactions?▾
Yes, for the Texas retail market UCS follows Texas SET standards using ANSI X12 v4.0A over NAESB EDM 1.6, supporting transactions such as 814 (enrollment), 867 (usage), 810 (invoice), 820 (remittance), and 997 (acknowledgment). EDI is for retail providers/trading partners, not direct member access; members use SmartHub. Contact Business Development (817-782-8326) to enroll.
The Best Way to Access Data from United Cooperative Services
Nectar connects to United Cooperative Services and 7,000+ utility providers — billing, interval, and rate data delivered automatically. No portals, no forms, no manual downloads.
Nectar for Energy & Sustainability Teams
Managing utility data for commercial or industrial buildings? Nectar offers a free energy data audit — we'll review your current setup and show you where automation can save your team hours every month.
Get a Free AuditNectar for Developers & Consultants
Building energy tools or advising clients on utility data? Nectar works with technology partners and consultants who need reliable data infrastructure.
Partner with Us