Grand Rapids to Upgrade Thermal Energy Infrastructure

News Summary

Vicinity Energy is set to install its first new boiler in 60 years in Grand Rapids, a 9MW electric boiler that is part of its electrification strategy to reduce carbon emissions. This new boiler, expected to produce renewable ‘eSteam,’ signifies a major step towards decarbonization and is supported by a $2 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission. Local officials will attend the installation ceremony, highlighting the commitment to a cleaner energy future in the city.

Grand Rapids is set for a significant upgrade to its thermal energy infrastructure as Vicinity Energy prepares to install its first new boiler in 60 years. Scheduled for installation on Wednesday, this new 9MW electric boiler is part of the company’s electrification strategy aimed at reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero emissions across its facilities.

The Vicinity Energy steam plant currently supplies thermal energy to 112 buildings throughout downtown Grand Rapids, utilizing a network of seven miles of underground pipes. Thermal energy, primarily delivered as steam, plays a crucial role in heating numerous buildings in the city.

The new boiler marks the first major step towards decarbonization for Grand Rapids. It will utilize carbon-free renewable electricity along with other energy sources to facilitate this transition. Once operational in 2026, the new boiler is expected to produce “eSteam,” a type of thermal energy sourced entirely from renewable energy, aligning with the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan to reduce carbon emissions.

This modernization effort is partially supported by a grant exceeding $2 million from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). This funding is granted under the Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development (EIED) program, which aims to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies within the state.

The installation ceremony will feature attendance from local officials, including Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrande and U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI), alongside local business leaders and energy advocates who are expected to support this transformative initiative.

Vicinity Energy’s existing operations rely on four boilers that date back to the 1960s, making this new installation a landmark event for the facility and the city. The anticipated electric boiler is expected to go into service by the end of 2025, with future plans for additional electric boilers being considered as part of the company’s long-term strategy.

The electrification initiative also seeks to minimize potential increases in customer rates that may arise from transitioning to electric boilers. Vicinity Energy aims to provide cost-effective eSteam options that can assist local businesses in achieving their sustainability goals. Furthermore, the electric boiler may be powered with electricity generated from a proposed solar project located at the former Butterworth landfill site, enhancing the facility’s commitment to renewable energy.

Along with Vicinity Energy, other recipients of the MPSC grant include organizations such as the Grand Rapids Boys and Girls Clubs and the Kalamazoo Nature Center, which highlights the broader community effort toward renewable energy and sustainability initiatives within Michigan.

The shift toward renewable energy solutions at Vicinity Energy not only signifies a step forward for the facility but also mirrors the evolving energy landscape of Grand Rapids. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, the new boiler installation signifies hope for a greener future in thermal energy production and set the stage for cleaner heating solutions in the city.

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Additional Resources

• WZZM13: Grand Rapids Steam Plant’s First New Boiler in 60 Years
• Fox17: Vicinity Energy Adds Electric Boiler
• Crain’s Grand Rapids: Downtown Steam Utility’s $2M Grant
• Business Wire: Kent County Partners with Vicinity Energy
• Waste Today: Vicinity Energy in Michigan
• Wikipedia: Clean Energy
• Google Search: Thermal Energy Infrastructure
• Google Scholar: Decarbonization
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Renewable Energy
• Google News: Grand Rapids Energy Initiatives