District Heating and Cooling Operation

156 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Household Waste Guide

History

Kent County purchased the District Heating and Cooling Operation (DHCO) from Consumers Energy in May of 1986, however Consumers Energy stayed on to operate, maintain and financially manage the operation on behalf of the County's Department of Public Works. In October of 1989, Covanta Kent, Inc. took over operation and maintenance of the Fulton Street Steam Plant from Consumers Energy, and on February 1, 1990 the Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Facility began commercial operation.

The low-pressure system is the original system installed in the 1920’s, although much of the low-pressure system has been replaced with new pipe and equipment. The high-pressure system was installed by Consumers Power in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and has expanded to reach additional new load for the system.

The District Heating and Cooling Operation facility was completely renovated in 1998 by the Christman Company.

About The Facility

The combined steam plants presently have a 600,000 pounds-per-hour capacity of saturated steam at 250 psi and 405° F. The maximum steam load is 250,000 pounds-per-hour (less than 45% system capacity) with an annual average steam load of 100,000 pounds per hour. The approximate seven miles of steam main installed between 1922 and 2004 serves an average 125 customers’ heating, cooling and process use needs.

The plant houses four industrial boilers with a total nameplate output capacity of 450,000 pounds per hour. The winter peak demand on the system is approximately 260,000 pounds per hour leaving ample room for additional growth to the system.

The boilers were installed in the late 1960’s, however in recent years they have gone through extensive upgrades including computer controls, modern burner equipment and environmental upgrades including a reverse osmosis water system. The boilers have the option of burning either natural gas or low sulfur fuel oil and the entire plant can be backstopped by an additional 150,000 pounds per hour from the Waste-To-Energy facility via a 1½-mile export steam pipeline that connects the two facilities. Covanta Kent, Inc. is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the two plants with oversight from Kent County staff.

Steam Distribution

Steam customers are served either off of the high-pressure (120 psi) distribution system or the low-pressure (7 psi) distribution system. The DHCO has approximately 5 miles of underground distribution pipe in the high-pressure system and approximately 2 miles of pipe in the low-pressure system (see the steam distribution map). Pipe sizes range from 2 to 22 inches in diameter.

Customers consist of banks, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, condominiums, museums, churches and miscellaneous small shops, all of which have eliminated the need for in-house boiler and domestic water heating systems.

Saint Mary’s Hospital is the largest single customer, however the City of Grand Rapids is the largest customer in aggregate with a total of 15 buildings on the system. Other major buildings on the system include the Grand Rapids Public Museum, City Hall, Federal Building, State Building, County Courthouse, Amway Grand Plaza, Plaza Towers, Grand Rapids Press, Bank One, VAI, DeVos Convention Center, Downtown Parking Ramps, VanAndel Arena and the Monroe Mall snow melt systems.

Environmental Compliance

The DHCO has effectively taken steps to protect the environment, improve efficiency, save energy and reduce costs. Since 2002 the DHCO has installed a high efficiency – low NOX burner and updated combustion controls on our largest boiler. These improvements were coupled with a new variable speed fan motor to reduce electric use.

A reverse osmosis water treatment system was installed in 2003. This system has improved water quality and lowered water and energy costs.

The environmental benefits of the DHCO include reduced greenhouse gas emissions from a central heat source plus no ozone destroying CFC’s are used in steam absorption cooling.

Advantages of DHCO Steam

Advantages gained when buying DHCO energy:

• Safety. No combustible fuels are on site resulting in lower insurance costs. The need for state inspections and boiler licensing fees are eliminated.
• Long-term price stability due to fuel flexibility. The DHCO has the ability to generate steam from natural gas, low sulfur oil or waste (trash).
• Reliable service. Backup systems and 24 hour per day professional operation assures reliable service. A licensed boiler technician is on duty at all times to run plant equipment in the most efficient manner.
• Lower usage costs. Customers only pay for what they use with none of the expense of purchasing, operating and maintaining an in house boiler system.
• Space savings. DHCO equipment takes up very little space compared to an in-house system resulting in more usable room or revenue producing space for our customers.
• Reduced maintenance costs. Less need for in-house operating and maintenance personnel.
• Improved air quality. The DHCO results in improved air quality in Grand Rapids when compared to emissions from 125 in-house boiler systems.