APS Adding More Carbon-Free Resources

Since announcing its clean energy commitment in January 2020, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) has made steady progress in adding more carbon-free resources to meet the energy needs of one of the fastest growing service territories in the country.

Last year, APS secured more than 400 megawatts of clean energy capacity, including 200 megawatts of wind power and 75 megawatts of demand response capability from APS Peak Solutions and APS Cool Rewards – two voluntary energy conservation programs that provide business and residential customers ways to manage energy use on hot summer days and help maintain grid reliability.

“APS’s bold clean energy goal is an opportunity to work in close collaboration with our stakeholders,” said APS Northwest Community Affairs Manager Darla DeVille of Prescott. “While our resource experts and energy planners focus on integrating renewable resources into our overall clean energy plan, we’re also enhancing our customer experience and finding ways to bring energy efficiency programs with cutting-edge technology to Arizona’s rural communities.”

Along with expanding clean power capabilities, APS plans to add an additional solar generating resource and acquire more battery storage that can be combined with the company’s existing solar power plants, increasing the access of renewable energy to customers even after sunset. APS also proposed the Coal Communities Transition plan to facilitate a shift away from coal and support the communities that are home to coal-fired power stations. The utility plans to end all coal-fired energy production by 2031.

APS began its commitment with an energy mix already 50% clean and has interim target goals of increasing its resource mix to 65% clean by 2030, with 45% of that generation coming from renewable energy.

While the utility plans to closely track and adapt to the future of renewable energy and storage technology, APS customer programs are already providing opportunities for local communities to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Our programs provide innovative carbon-free solutions for our customers. We are committed to designing for tomorrow, empowering one another and succeeding together, and that means developing meaningful clean energy opportunities for our partners,” said DeVille. “The strong relationships we’ve cultivated with Prescott-area leaders and environmental experts over the years have helped us broaden the reach and impact of our carbon-free resources.”

Among the APS customer programs that are focused on promoting carbon-reduction, two are paving the way for increased access to electric vehicle charging stations and solar power energy.

The APS Take Charge AZ program expands access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and helps prepare Arizona for the anticipated growth of electric vehicle adoption. As part of the program, APS covers the cost of installing and maintaining Level 2 EV charging stations at businesses, government agencies, non-profits and multi-family communities. Level 2 EV chargers can provide drivers a full charge within two hours, depending on battery life.

To date, APS has installed 14 Level 2 charging stations in the Quad Cities and Verde Valley regions. In Prescott, several businesses and organizations have taken the opportunity to participate in the charging program. Medical patients, staff and business patrons are already charging their EVs at participating locations, such as the Yavapai Medical Center, PACE Preparatory Academy and the Residence Inn by Marriott. The City of Sedona and City of Cottonwood are also participants in the program.

For local EV drivers looking to explore other parts of the state, APS is in the planning stages of launching the second phase of Take Charge AZ. This phase will include the installation of DC fast charging stations at retail and tourist locations in the communities of Prescott, Sedona, Payson, Show Low and Globe. DC fast charging technology can provide an EV a full battery charge within 45 minutes. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

New solar parking structures have recently been installed at the U.S. VETS facility in Prescott, Sedona City Hall and the Town of Jerome. These projects are part of the APS Solar Communities program, which offered a unique opportunity for limited and moderate-income customers, government agencies and non-profits to access solar energy resources at no cost.

“APS is a born-and-raised Arizona company. We believe in the success of rural Arizona and want to provide communities in the northwest region access to resources that will help drive our carbon-free future,” said DeVille. “We value our customers, invest in our communities and will work together to achieve a sustainable energy future.” QCBN

By Yessica Del Rincon, QCBN