The Cedar River Generating Station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will make use of five reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) units that run on natural gas. RICE units let us quickly ramp energy production up or down as demand fluctuates. This complements resources like wind and solar, which produce energy intermittently. Natural gas is also a cleaner burning energy source compared to other fossil fuels.
We expect the project to be fully operational by June 2027 with a capacity of 94 megawatts.
Community impact
This project is located next to our Prairie Creek Generating Station. During construction, the new station will provide a boost to the local community and economy through tax revenue and increased local business as workers eat at restaurants and buy gas, food and other daily amenities.
How does a RICE system work?
A reciprocating internal combustion engine is similar to a car engine but on a much larger scale, and instead of being coupled with the transmission, the engine is coupled with an electric generator to produce power.
This generating facility can start and stop quickly many times a day to meet real-time energy needs. This improves efficiency and flexibility. RICE units support 24/7 system reliability. They complement renewable generation variability and can potentially operate for long periods with no need to charge.
How do RICE systems get us ready for the future?
The Cedar River Generating Station project is part of our efforts to deliver safe and reliable energy while keeping customer bills as low as possible so we can meet energy needs today and tomorrow.
As the electric grid evolves, we are integrating new technologies like RICE systems and battery storage, along with existing resources like wind, solar and traditional systems.