Detroit Thermal previously worked with the Detroit Science Center, which closed in 2012 as a victim of the economic downturn, but the museum reopened in December 2012 as the Michigan Science Center. Now, Detroit Thermal has worked with the center’s new management team to establish a relationship between the two organizations.
Detroit Thermal will serve the science center under a three-year contract, which has been approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The majority of Detroit Thermal’s steam is supplied by Detroit Renewable Power’s energy-from-waste facility, said Scott Barr, director of business development for Detroit Thermal.
Detroit Thermal’s steam distribution system has been in operation since 1903 and has provided the science center with district energy since it moved downtown in 1978.
Detroit Thermal was acquired by Detroit Renewable Energy in 2010, and it provides energy to more than 145 buildings throughout downtown Detroit.
Sister company Hamtramck Energy Services also operates private steam plants at five General Motors facilities.
In 2012, U-Haul selected Detroit Thermal to reestablish steam heating services to its new moving and self-storage facility in Detroit.