Tucson Electric Power unveiled its new battery energy storage facility, Roadrunner Reserve, in response to rising summer temperatures and increased strain on Arizona's power grid. The facility, declared by Governor Katie Hobbs as 'powering the future of Arizona,' will store solar-generated energy for use during peak demand hours, providing affordable and reliable energy to customers. The 200 MW system can power approximately 42,000 homes for four hours and is expected to be charged during low-demand periods.
Faced with rising summer temperatures and increased strain on Arizona ’s power grid , utility Tucson Electric Power hosted a ribbon-cutting Wednesday for its newest battery energy storage facility, Roadrunner Reserve.
At the event, Governor Katie Hobbs declared the project “powering the future of Arizona.” “It’s been said a couple times that this project is powering the future of Arizona,” Hobbs said. “And that is absolutely true.”Government officials and TEP representatives gathered at the facility, located on the southeast side of Tucson, where the utility is storing solar-generated energy during off-peak hours for use later in the day. TEP spokesman Joe Salkowski explained that “it’s actually been operating through the summer … and it has helped us provide affordable, reliable energy for our customers.” He added, “This system is able to store that energy and deploy it … during the hours of the day when our customers need energy most. Which is typically toward the last afternoon and early evening.” Salkowski emphasized the system’s performance in recent months, too. “It has been critical in helping us meet this summer’s energy needs. Both reliably and affordable.”The Roadrunner Reserve system has a capacity of 200 megawatts and can store 800 megawatt-hours of energy — enough to power approximately 42,000 homes for four hours. TEP expects to charge the system during the morning and early afternoon, when solar output is strong and rates are lower, then deploy the stored energy during peak demand periods. The project is one of the largest battery energy storage systems in Arizona.Hobbs, reflected on the broader role of such grid infrastructure within the state. “These are the type of projects that we need to be investing in, and the state is here to be a true partner for years to come,” she said. With grid-reliability concerns mounting in the face of hotter summers, the Roadrunner Reserve facility underscores TEP’s push to diversify its energy mix and support its long-term goal of net-zero direct greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. While the utility did not specify the exact cost of the facility, Salkowski noted that “the first phase of this system is an investment that’s incorporated in the rate proposal that’s pending before the Arizona Corporation Commission.”Looking ahead, TEP is already constructing a second phase of the Roadrunner Reserve project, known as Roadrunner Reserve II, also 200 MW/800 MWh, which is slated to come online by spring 2026. The utility says this expansion will further bolster service reliability for customers during the demanding summer months and support the region’s transition to cleaner energy.
Battery Storage Renewable Energy Arizona Power Grid Tucson Electric Power
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New York City voters choose new mayor after heated campaignNew York City voters are choosing their next mayor, as Zohran Mamdani faces former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a generational battle between Democrats while Republican Curtis Sliwa tries to land a massive upset.
Read more »
New era in Greenville: Jae’ques Brown sworn in as first new mayor in 25 yearsA new era has begun for the city of Greenville as Jae’ques Brown was officially sworn in as mayor, marking the first time in a quarter-century the city has seen a change in leadership.
Read more »
Moto G 2026 arrives with selfie camera upgrade, big battery, and new colorsIzzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities.
Read more »
Pixar's Toy Story Returns: New Looks, New Challenges, and New ToysPixar is bringing back the Toy Story gang in a new movie, with Woody sporting a fresh look and the toys facing new challenges from electronic toys as they compete for Bonnie's attention. The article provides details on Woody's new appearance, the introduction of new characters, and a shift in focus to Jessie. It explores potential plot points and anticipates the film's release.
Read more »
New ‘All-Climate Battery’ could keep EVs running in extreme heat and coldThe Penn State team addressed the existing conflict between a battery's performance in cold weather and its stability in hot weather.
Read more »
BMW Just Found A New Partner To Boost Its Solid-State Battery DreamsThe finish line is still far away, but solid-state battery development is in full swing at BMW.
Read more »