Tucson Electric Power Seeking Contractor for Energy Storage Facility

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Tucson Electric Power issued a request for proposals in which it seeks a developer to design and construct a utility-scale energy storage system.

The RFP was issued on April 24 and stipulates that the 10 megawatt facility should be operational by the end of 2016. The future project partner would build and own the asset under a 10-year agreement – TEP provides the site for the project.

Storage systems can be used to accumulate energy generated by renewable resources for later use. The addition of grid storage systems is particularly important in networks fed by solar energy and other renewable sources with inconsistent output.

Solar power plays an important part in TEP’s generating portfolio. By increasing its use of renewable power, the company plans to reduce its overall coal generation capacity by more than 30 percent over the next five years. According to an announcement, the provider currently has around 330 megawatts of total renewable generating capacity, which is enough to meet the electric needs of about 70,000 homes.

The company provides electric service to more than 414,000 customers in southern Arizona at present. “We’re looking for cost-effective, proven energy storage systems that will help us integrate renewable energy into our electric grid,” said Carmine Tilghman, a TEP senior director who oversees the company’s renewable energy programs. “As we expand our renewable resources, TEP will need additional and more flexible resources to help manage the variable energy production of these systems,” he added.

The bid deadline has been set for Friday, May 8, and the RFP process is being managed by New Hampshire-based Accion Group. A copy of the solicitation can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Fernando Tomás via Wikimedia Commons