We all use energy to live, work, learn, and travel around.
This page provides insight into the energy used by the City of Grand Rapids for our facilities, fleet, and services.
Increasing on-site energy generation, investing in energy storage, and reducing energy consumption are all strategies to slow down climate change.
The City of Grand Rapids purchases fuels and electricity for our municipal energy needs.
As a municipality, it is important for us to use taxpayer money as efficiently as possible. The more efficient we are, the less energy we have to use and pay for. Investing in energy efficiency decreases our operating costs and preserves valuable natural resources.
We have implemented a number of upgrades and improvements to our buildings and operations.
City of Grand Rapids Facilities
35
City-owned Buildings
60%
Utilize automation systems
32%
Utilize occupancy-sensors
10
Buildings connected to Vicinity's steam district
Facilities
The City of Grand Rapids maintains sustainable strategies for energy efficiency in our buildings. From City Hall to your local fire station, these technologies and practices reduce our demand for electricity and natural gas, while also saving money.
These strategies include:
- Automation systems and occupancy sensors for heating, cooling, and lighting
- Local HVAC zones that allow for flexible energy to direct hot or cool air where it is most needed
- Steam boilers that are connected the Vicinity's Steam District are replacing traditional natural gas water heaters in select City facilities to reduce fossil fuel demand
- Exterior window film on City Hall's highest floors reflects incoming sunlight to keep the building cooler in the summer
Streetlights
In 2025, the City completed the multi-year conversion of 18,000 City streetlights to low-power LED lighting which will result in $350,000 in annual energy savings while reducing emissions and increasing safety.
Statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard
In Michigan, the Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act, ensures that a certain percentage of the statewide electricity produced is renewable energy. Under the Renewable Portfolio Standard, electric providers must supply 12.5% of their electricity from renewable energy in 2019 and 15% by 2021. This means when we purchase electricity from Consumers Energy, a portion is already guaranteed to come from renewable sources.
The City of Grand Rapids Renewable Energy Goals
The City of Grand Rapids has declared the following goals of:
• 20% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2008
• 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2025
To meet these goals, the City installed a nearly one megawatt behind-the-meter solar array at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant, continues to operate a small rooftop solar array at the Oak Industrial office building and purchases renewable energy credits (RECs).
The City continues to assess pathways to decrease reliance on RECs and to sustainably maintain 100 percent renewable energy. This includes pursuing solar on other City properties such as the Community Archives & Research Center (CARC) and the former Butterworth Landfill as well as participating in Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program.
Oak Industrial Solar Array
Lake Michigan Filtration Plant Solar Array
In 2022, the City completed construction of a nearly 1 MW solar array at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant that will generate net savings of approximately $1.55 million over 24 years and increase the City's renewable energy performance.
Community Archives & Research Center Solar Array
In 2025, the City completed construction of a 133.97 kW solar array at the Community Archives & Research Center that will provide clean energy for the climate-control systems.
Butterworth Solar Array
In 2026, the City entered a power-purchase agreement (PPA) with Enerlogics Networks, Inc. to install a nearly 2 MW solar array on the former Butterworth Landfill.
In 2017, the City started construction of an $85 million biodigester at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), which includes the largest membrane system in the country and is the first to combine several elements:
- phosphorus extraction
- biodigestion of solid waste
- capture of renewable natural gas (AKA methane)
The biodigester will reduce carbon emissions for the WRRF by 3,330 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, which is a 32% reduction from business as usual.
The biodigester generates 125,000 MMBtu’s of renewable natural gas (CH4) annually.
City of Grand Rapids Fleet
46%
Low/Zero Emission Vehicles in Service
27
Electric Vehicles in Service
90
Hybrid Vehicles in Service
60
City-owned EV Charging Stations
Fleet
In 2025, the City installed 36 EV charging stations at the new Public Service Center (PCS) at 1500 Scribner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI. The PCS is the permanent garage for the City's 27 full EVs & 90 hybrid vehicles.
