District Energy 2012 Q2

Feature
Story
New Energy
in the Motor City:
Detroit legacy steam system
helps renew city growth
Steven A. White, Chairman, Detroit Renewable Energy LLC

The great city of Detroit is slowly but steadily working on a come- back, despite a U.S. economy that continues to struggle. A famous industrial legacy, proud citizenry, committed government and an optimistic private sector lead this revival. The creation of thousands of new jobs has resurrected morale of the downtown worker and renewed pride in local arts and culture, professional sports and opportunities for career growth. Defying a lingering urban decay, workers are once again happy to be in “the D,” inspiring employers to take advantage of low rents and private incentives to continue expanding into renovated central business district buildings.

Among the many forces rekindling
the city are prominent institutions such
as Wayne State University, the Henry
Ford Health System and the Detroit
Medical Center, all of which have recom-
mitted to the downtown area. Financial
incentives have made it more attractive
for employees to live downtown, while
new energy conservation programs have
encouraged businesses and landlords to
upgrade lighting, insulation, windows
and other amenities. Making these build-
ings modern, cost-effective and comfort-
able – while meeting a growing public
demand for sustainable and environmen-
tal initiatives – is being accomplished
by a combination of public and private
partnerships. Central to this effort is the
robust reinvestment in Detroit Thermal,
the city’s century-old, 39-mile district
energy system that derives most of its
energy from municipal waste.