Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has various power generating portfolio including solar power. As TEP offers more solar generation to its customers, energy storage systems become more important in the future. Accordingly, the company is seeking bids for the design and construction of a utility-scale energy storage system that would be operational by the end of 2016.

With a request for proposals (RFP) issued on April 24, TEP is seeking a project partner to build and own a 10MW storage facility under a 10-year agreement. Such systems can be used to store energy generated by renewable resources for later use, making them increasingly important for managing the local electric system without compromising reliability.

“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.”

The RFP process is being managed by New Hampshire-based Accion Group. A copy of the RFP can be found at tepes.accionpower.com.

Solar power plays an important part in TEP’s increasingly diverse generating portfolio. The company has plans to reduce its overall coal generation capacity by more than 30% over the next five years by increasing use of renewable power, energy efficiency and natural-gas generation. TEP has approximately 330 MW of total renewable generating capacity, enough to meet the electric needs of about 70,000 homes. So far, TEP has more than 414,000 customers in southern Arizona.