Meeting Growing Demands
As our member communities continue to grow, the demand for reliable and affordable electricity is more critical than ever. To ensure we meet this demand, UAMPS has identified the need for a dispatchable resource to complement the renewable resources that have come online in recent years. While renewable resources are both economical and abundant, their inherent intermittence poses significant challenges to grid stability.
UAMPS has determined that integrating a fast-acting, natural gas-fired resource is essential for filling the hourly and daily resource need, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and enhancing overall grid resilience. This strategic addition will not only support our commitment to renewable energy but also guarantee a consistent and dependable electricity supply for our growing communities.
Project Overview
The Millard County Peaking Plant is slated to be a state-of-the-art 200 MW generation plant equipped with 10 to 12 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) units. These advanced units offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing the plant to swiftly ramp up or down to match real-time power needs. This ensures a stable, uninterrupted power supply, crucial for our growing communities. Planned for Millard County, Utah, the plant will leverage existing natural gas pipelines and transmission lines, facilitating efficient electricity distribution across both urban and rural areas, while minimizing construction times and costs.
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Efficient Land Use for a Sustainable Future
The proposed 200 MW generation plant is designed with community and environmental considerations in mind. The project requires 40-60 acres of land, with an additional 10-20 acres needed during the construction phase. To put this into perspective, achieving the same power output with solar systems would necessitate over 1,000 acres of land. By opting for a more compact and efficient solution, we minimize the impact on our natural landscapes and preserve valuable land for other community uses, such as parks, agriculture, and development.
Maximizing Efficiency, Minimizing Impact
RICE units represent a significant advancement in power generation technology, delivering a 40% increase in efficiency compared to older models. This substantial improvement reduces fuel consumption and lowers nitrogen oxide emissions. In Utah, where air quality is a critical concern, the adoption of RICE technology plays a pivotal role in mitigating air pollution. By cutting nitrogen oxide emissions, these units contribute to cleaner air.
In our water-scarce region, every drop counts. The air-cooled system implemented in this technology exhibits significant water efficiency, consuming less than a million gallons annually, which is comparable to the usage of just 12 residential homes. This efficiency is essential for conserving water resources in water-scarce regions. The advanced RICE units integrated into the system operate with 70% less water consumption compared to traditional methods, resulting in millions of gallons saved each year. This conservation measure is critical for sustaining vital water resources and maintaining a reliable water supply for future generations.
Economically Viable and Future-Focused
Highly efficient RICE generators lead to substantial savings in fuel consumption and operational costs. Compared to nuclear and coal-fired plants, natural gas plants have lower initial capital costs and shorter construction times. This makes them an economically viable option for meeting the growing energy demands of our communities without compromising on financial prudence.
RICE generators are not just built for today but are designed with the future in mind. Their adaptability to burn various types of fuel, including renewable natural gas and hydrogen, ensures long-term viability as energy markets evolve and new technologies emerge. This remarkable flexibility allows us to stay ahead in the transition to more sustainable energy sources, guaranteeing that our energy solutions remain reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly well into the future.
A Path to Stability and Sustainability
In today’s rapidly changing energy landscape, there is a clear need for reliable and flexible power generation. New natural gas plants are engineered to quickly ramp up and down, making them the ideal solution for managing peak electricity loads. This capability ensures a stable power supply during high-demand periods, providing peace of mind for our communities.
Natural gas plants possess the unique flexibility to integrate seamlessly with renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This integration creates a balance within the energy grid, allowing it to adapt to varying power needs efficiently. By supporting renewable energy, natural gas plants contribute significantly to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
Investing in new natural gas plants allows UAMPS to leverage existing infrastructure, reducing implementation timelines and maintaining affordability for member communities. This strategic approach ensures that we can deliver dependable and cost-effective energy solutions swiftly and efficiently. UAMPS’ commitment to environmental responsibility and community support is at the core of this investment, aligning perfectly with our mission to meet the growing energy needs of our communities.
Benefits of Natural Gas-Fired Generation
