TEP's 10 RICE generators stand ready to restore Tucson power fast
TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — Tucson Electric Power says its control room operators monitor conditions and make quick decisions to help restore service when the power goes out, including when to bring in extra generation.
TEP says operators use maps to monitor power conditions across the area, including when storms cause outages or when demand is high. When possible, officials can reroute power to help restore service.
If more generation is needed, TEP says its RICE units can be turned on to help provide additional power. TEP maintains 10 RICE units at its H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station at the Irvington campus.
Tucson Electric Power says its control room operators monitor conditions and make quick decisions to help restore service when the power goes out, including when to bring in extra generation.
The natural gas-fueled generators first went into service in late 2019, replacing older equipment with what TEP says is a more efficient design. Unlike conventional generators, the RICE units can quickly ramp their output up or down, depending on how much power is being produced by wind turbines and solar panels.
RICE stands for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine. TEP says that flexibility helps support its growing use of renewable energy while providing reliable power for customers.
Officials say RICE units also produce fewer emissions and save hundreds of millions of gallons of water each year compared to the older generators they replaced.
“All 10 of them on can be up to full output within under a minute, they are very fast acting and then we can adjust them as needed,” Lonnie Chapman said.
Chapman is TEP distribution system control and transmission manager.