The first generators in a new GUC-owned peak shaving generation “plant” have been installed and will be up and running in September.
Typically, peak shaving generators have been installed at industrial sites and operated behind that industrial customer’s meter. Thanks to an updated power supply agreement with Duke Energy Progress and our power agency, we are now able to put them directly on our system.
These two 2-megawatt generators have been installed at the MacGregor Downs Substation and replace older generators at ECU Health Medical Center. Unlike before, the energy produced will go directly into GUC’s grid to serve all our customers instead of back to that one customer.
Times when energy use is at its highest – peak times – the wholesale price that GUC pays skyrockets for an hour. That ends up making up more than 50% of our monthly power bill. These generators will be used to offset those costs by burning natural gas instead of buying electricity at a premium price, optimizing our energy use. This will help keep energy costs more affordable and stable for all our customers.
This is the first phase of installation for the peak shaving generators with an additional five expected to be installed by early next year.
