The Kansas City Star
Summary
Maybe you’ve seen steam clouds rising on the north edge of the downtown loop. Or spotted them popping up from manholes on 10th or 12th streets. Or along Wyandotte Street near the Loew’s Hotel. If you’re like most of us, you’re not sure why. Here’s the answer: The clouds of steam are a product of “district energy,” in which a production facility sends thermal power for heating and cooling to buildings through a network of pipes.
Colleges and hospitals with their central boiler plants are familiar examples of district energy, but they’re usually much smaller than the system Vicinity Energy has built downtown. From its plant at East First Street and Grand Boulevard ,which originally powered streetcars and downtown streetlights, Vicinity serves 60 large-scale customers, including Bartle Hall, the Marriott Hotel, Lifted Spirits Distillery, the Folly Theater, Flash Cube Apartments and the T-Mobile Center.
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