Focus: Resilience

HOLLAND, MI ENERGY PARK

The City of Holland, Michigan was facing high demand for power coupled with aging existing facilities. In lieu of a planned and permitted coal-fired project, the Board of Public Works worked with the community to develop a forward-looking and resilient energy plan that included significant investment in renewable energy.

In 2015, construction began on a $200 million Energy Park, consisting of a 145 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant encompassed in a park-like setting. When it goes fully operational in 2017, the Holland Energy Park will double the fuel efficiency of Holland’s present power generation, reliably meet power needs with maximum renewable contributions, and achieve a fifty percent reduction in carbon emissions, ultimately making the plant consistent with EPA goals. In addition, the development of open, public space will integrate with the local trail network. Focusing on renewable energy is one of many ways that project planners can create resilient systems for the communities of today and tomorrow.

Source: ASCE Game Changers