Ames Municipal Energy Center currently has two units that generate power; however, these systems are aging rapidly and it is time to build new ones. The new power plant will be built south of the current plant in the coal yard. The Ames Municipal Energy Center has purchased three RICE engines to be placed on the new plant that is going to be built. The current power plant takes around 12 hours to start up; these new units will take about 15 minutes to start up. Currently, the power plant has the capacity for 150 MW.