The city found the answer it was seeking in reciprocating engines. Drawing on the same technology used in the internal combustion engines found in automobiles, these efficient engines can be brought online and ramped up to produce precisely the amount of power needed on only a few moments’ notice. A newer, turbocharged version of the engines replaces the diesel fuel formerly needed to operate the engines with cleaner-burning natural gas.
In September 2016, Denton Municipal Electric contracted our team to provide comprehensive engineer-procureconstruct (EPC) services for a new 225-MW reciprocating engine plant. Permitting and design of the grassroots, $225 million plant began immediately so that our construction team could begin site work two months later. The aggressive timetable, made possible by our integrated EPC approach and the self-performance capabilities of our wholly owned subsidiary, AZCO, was necessary to meet the established project completion date of July 2018 — in time to meet peak summer demand.