Across the country, Vicinity teams are working hard to transform our facilities, enabling us to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner. As we spearhead this next evolution of district energy, we’re sharing key updates at our facilities.
Vicinity’s district energy system in Grand Rapids, Michigan is making key electrification progress, with an electric boiler being installed in the coming months.
Future electrification plans for Grand Rapids revolve around distributed electrification, leveraging existing systems that already benefit from distributed generation and access to renewable resources. The electrification of our operations will allow us to offer eSteam™ to decarbonize our customers’ buildings and communities.
Learn more about the various changes we’re making to decarbonize our Grand Rapids district energy operations below and stay tuned for all future updates on our progress.
Grand Rapids electrification progress
February 2026 update
Since October, key progress has been made at our Fulton Street facility to prepare the electric boiler for service this summer.
Key initiatives include work to install:
- Infrastructure at the substation of our local electric utility, Consumers Energy, where our extension will be finalized
- A dedicated substation at the Vicinity Energy facility
- Mechanical connection of the electric boiler
To optimize space and timeliness, our team is integrating the new electric boiler equipment with the existing systems and infrastructure at the facility.
Electrification progress
To seamlessly integrate the new electric boiler with the existing facility, key upgrades have been made to fabricate a new main steam header extension and interconnect, along with an additional expansion loop for resiliency.
An additional chemical feed system will be installed to meet the conductivity necessary for electric boiler operation. The team is also in the process of installing new recirculating pumps.
Electrification progress
Progress is being made to install a substation at Vicinity’s facility that will power the electric boiler. All subgrade construction for the substation has been completed.
Electrification progress
Work being done at the local utility (Consumers Energy) to install a dedicated feed to the Vicinity Energy facility to power the electric boiler.
October 2025 update
Our team has been working hard to get the new 9MW electric boiler operational. Construction of the new mezzanine was completed, allowing access to the electric boiler’s supporting infrastructure within the facility.
To operate this new electric boiler, the team is utilizing existing systems at the facility, like the water treatment system, RO system, and feed pump. However, the new electric boiler requires a different level of conductivity. To accomplish this, the team is installing supplemental water treatment to meet required specifications.
The upgrades coming at the facility over the next few months will allow for future growth and capacity. The team is utilizing existing systems and infrastructure at the plant to enable a timelier commissioning of the electric boiler.
Electrification progress
June 2025 update
On June 18, 2025, Vicinity officially kicked off our electrification strategy in Grand Rapids with a commemorative wrench turning ceremony.
Our customers, partners, and community members joined us at our Grand Rapids facility to mark the beginning of the installation of our new, 9MW electric boiler. Throughout the summer of 2025, the electric boiler will be installed at the facility. Once installed, our carbon-free thermal energy product, eSteam™, will be available to our customers throughout Grand Rapids.
The engineering and construction of this electric boiler is supported by the $2 million grant awarded to Vicinity by the Michigan Public Service Commission in 2024. This transition represents a significant step towards reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources and embracing cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.
Electrification progress
