GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Vicinity Energy has completed installation of a 9-megawatt electric boiler at its downtown Grand Rapids plant, marking the first new boiler at the Edison-era facility in 60 years.
The project, backed by a $2 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission, is part of the company’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The boiler will provide carbon-free thermal energy to more than 120 buildings across the city, including much of the downtown skyline.
“This boiler will decarbonize at a rate of about 1.5 tons per hour or about 37 tons per day… This is the equivalent of removing about 10 cars per hour off the road of carbon,” said Vicinity President and CEO Kevin Hagerty. “So, at the end of the year of this operating, it will remove the equivalent amount of cars off the road of about 3,000 cars.”
The electric boiler is expected to supply 30% of the system’s energy needs when it enters service in 2026. Vicinity plans to install two more electric boilers over the next 15 years, eventually powering 90% of its Grand Rapids network with emissions-free energy.
Local officials and federal lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, joined Vicinity to mark the milestone.
