Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has selected AREVA Solar as a technology partner for its concentrating solar power (CSP) addition to TEP's H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station in Tucson, Ariz.
The addition, known as the Sundt Solar Boost project, will use AREVA Solar's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam generators to produce up to 5 MW of power during peak demand periods without added emissions. Producing that same amount of power at the dual-fueled unit would otherwise require burning 46 million cubic feet of natural gas, or 3,600 tons of coal, according to TEP.
In addition to helping TEP meet its renewable energy goals cost-effectively, the Sundt Solar Boost project will allow the company to evaluate the potential integration of CSP additions at other power plants.
Construction of Sundt Solar Boost is scheduled to begin in the spring, and the project is expected to be operational by early 2013. The facility will be built on TEP property adjacent to the Sundt plant, which is located east of South Alvernon Way between East Irvington Road and Interstate 10.
