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What are the benefits of Vicinity’s eSteam™ product for customers?

Electrification will enable Vicinity to generate steam with a zero-carbon emissions factor. This means that the eSteam™ energy you purchase from Vicinity is clean and sustainable. By using eSteam™, our customers will be able to enjoy many benefits, including

Carbon-free: eSteam™ is a carbon-free renewable energy product for rapid decarbonization
Maximum flexibility: Customers choose how much eSteam™ they want to use and the carbon-free electricity source
Superior economics: eSteam™ is the most affordable option to decarbonize your building compared to onsite alternatives
Maximum resiliency: Vicinity’s operational flexibility means that we can switch fuel and generating sources to avoid interruptions

How will Vicinity create and deliver eSteam™?

To generate and deliver eSteam™, Vicinity is electrifying its operations by installing electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal battery storage. Vicinity will procure electricity from renewable, carbon-neutral energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro. Leveraging our existing network of underground pipes, we will deliver eSteam™ to our customers without any effort.

What is eSteam™?

eSteam™ is Vicinity’s unique and innovative carbon-free renewable energy product. eSteam™ offers maximum flexibility and superior economic benefits compared to alternative onsite solutions. Vicinity uses carbon-free, renewable electricity to generate eSteam™, providing rapid decarbonization for commercial and institutional buildings in city centers.

How will Vicinity decarbonize?

The backbone of Vicinity’s decarbonization plan is the electrification of its operations. Electrified district energy utilizes existing infrastructure at a central facility and the irreplaceable and robust distribution piping to decarbonize urban buildings. Vicinity will import carbon-free electrons through co-located, existing substations to power electric boilers, coupled with industrial-scale heat pumps and thermal batteries, to deliver electrified, clean steam for heating, cooling, sterilization, humidification, and other thermal energy needs.

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What is combined heat and power (CHP)?

Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy from a single energy source. Unlike a traditional power plant that discards excess heat from its power generation process, CHP harnesses this recovered steam for cleanly and efficiently heating and cooling commercial buildings. Two useful end products are created through one process.

Is district energy safe?

Yes. Unlike onsite generation – which intrinsically involves onsite combustion as part of the energy generation process – district energy is a safer alternative. With district energy, thermal energy is produced at a central facility and distributed to individual buildings via underground piping, eliminating the safety risks associated with onsite generation.

Is district energy sustainable?

Yes. District energy systems are agnostic to fuel type. This fuel flexibility enables the use of lower-carbon, local sources of energy, increasing the resiliency and security of the network and the health of our communities. Decarbonization upgrades to our centralized facilities immediately benefit our entire network. As more new renewable technologies and sources come online, district energy systems can easily integrate these into their existing, robust distribution systems.

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How quickly can a district energy system recover from a natural disaster event?

Quickly. District energy systems can isolate issues and have built-in redundancy to leverage multiple generating assets and fuel, power, and water sources to maintain reliable service even in the most demanding weather events.

If a piece of equipment or utility source is compromised or experiencing any issues, the system can continue to operate by drawing from its backup sources and infrastructure. With insulated carbon steel conduit piping encased in concrete, a district energy network’s distribution system is more robust and resilient than conventional utility alternatives, even during extreme weather events.

What are the benefits of district energy systems?

District energy provided multiple advantages:

Freedom from asset ownership and the costs associated with maintenance
Wholesale energy pricing and stability
Efficient energy delivery
Greater reliability and redundancy in energy supply
Reduced carbon footprint

What is district energy?

District energy uses a centrally-located facility, or facilities, to generate thermal energy – heat, hot water, or chilled water – for commercial buildings that form an “energy district.” The energy is transported through underground pipes to meet the needs of commercial and institutional buildings such as life sciences, college and hospital campuses, museums, hospitality, airports, and office parks.

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FAQ Category: Products & Services

What are the benefits of Vicinity’s eSteam™ product for customers?

How will Vicinity create and deliver eSteam™?

What is eSteam™?

How will Vicinity decarbonize?

What is combined heat and power (CHP)?

Is district energy safe?

Is district energy sustainable?

How quickly can a district energy system recover from a natural disaster event?

What are the benefits of district energy systems?

What is district energy?

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