Hospitality Archives | Vicinity Energy

Vicinity Energy Announces Bill DiCroce’s Passing of the Baton to Kevin Hagerty as the New CEO

Posted on July 10, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Boston, MA, July 10, 2024—Vicinity Energy, a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Hagerty as the company’s new chief executive officer and president. Bill DiCroce has led Vicinity and its predecessors as CEO and president since 2012 and will stay on as executive chairman of Vicinity’s Board of Directors.

Bill DiCroce’s long tenure as CEO and president has been marked by significant accomplishments, shaping the district energy portfolio and driving transformative growth and efficiency for Vicinity. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its footprint, enhanced its technological capabilities, and solidified its position as a leader in the urban and campus clean energy sector. Bill’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in advancing Vicinity’s mission to provide sustainable and reliable energy solutions to its customers and communities.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Vicinity,” said Bill DiCroce, executive chairman of Vicinity. “Our adoption of cutting-edge clean energy technologies and our commitment to sustainability have set a strong foundation for the future. Kevin has been instrumental in driving our shift to electrification and will continue to lead our efforts to decarbonize our customers and operations.”

Kevin Hagerty brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to his new role as CEO and president. With a proven track record of driving innovation and fostering growth, Kevin is poised to lead Vicinity into its next chapter. His vision for a clean energy future aligns perfectly with Vicinity’s commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions that decarbonize our customers and communities.

“I am honored to take on this new role and continue the essential work of decarbonizing and expanding Vicinity’s district energy business,” said Kevin Hagerty, CEO and president of Vicinity. “My focus will be accelerating our efforts to provide clean, efficient, and reliable energy solutions to drive the transition to a sustainable energy future. A prime example of our commitment is our recent partnership with Emerson College, where we are excited to support their sustainability goals through our innovative eSteam™ solution.”

As part of this vision, Vicinity is committed to electrifying its operations and expanding its innovative eSteam™ solution. By transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity sourced from renewable energy, Vicinity aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of its services. eSteam™, in particular, represents a groundbreaking approach to providing carbon-free steam for heating and cooling needs, further supporting customers in their journey toward decarbonization and compliance with building performance standards.

“Our electrification initiatives and district solutions are designed to decarbonize at a city-wide scale. Creating a sustainable energy future is a monumental task that we all share, and innovative solutions like Vicinity’s eSteam™ are crucial to addressing this challenge with the necessary scale and speed,” added Kevin Hagerty. “Vicinity is made up of an incredible team of people that I am proud to be a part of, and together, we will strive to do what is best for our customers, the cities we serve, and our planet.”

As Vicinity looks ahead, the company remains dedicated to its core mission of safety, sustainability, innovation, and community. With Kevin Hagerty at the helm and Bill DiCroce’s continued strategic involvement as executive chairman, Vicinity is well-positioned to lead the clean energy transition of urban cores and campuses.

About Vicinity Energy

Vicinity Energy is the largest owner and operator of district energy systems dedicated to decarbonizing its operations and investing in innovative renewable thermal energy technologies to offer carbon-free eSteam™ to its customers. Operating 19 district energy systems in 12 cities, Vicinity delivers reliable and sustainable steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 260 million square feet of building space nationwide. As Vicinity advances its electrification efforts across its locations, the goal to achieve net zero by 2050 is more than a commitment—it’s a mission. Learn more about Vicinity’s vision for a clean energy future at www.vicinityenergy.us.

Media Contact
Sara DeMille
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
media@vicinityenergy.us

Hotel Phillips leverages district energy to optimize guests’ experiences and lower its carbon footprint

Posted on June 25, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Industry

Hospitality

Location

Kansas City, MO

Square footage

207,375

The customer

Opening its doors to guests in 1931, Hotel Phillips is an iconic Art Deco building located in the heart of downtown Kansas City. With 217 rooms, the 20-story landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Many of the original details remain today, including the walnut paneling, intricate metalwork, a 20-story mail chute, Art Deco lighting fixtures, a speakeasy, and a gilded statue of the goddess Dawn. The hotel’s historic character, state-of-the-art amenities, and superior guest services provide a unique experience for all visitors.

The challenge

Due to the building’s aging infrastructure and need for upgrades—mainly replacing the cooling tower—Hotel Phillips needed a cost-effective solution to provide efficient cooling to keep guests comfortable. The owners considered the complexity of chillers, the associated annual maintenance costs, and the staffing required for safe and efficient operation. Given these concerns, Hotel Phillips wanted to explore cooling options to reduce operational complexity and disruptive downtime.

The solution

Since Vicinity already supplied Hotel Phillips with green steam for over two decades, switching to district chilled water rather than purchasing onsite chillers was a seamless and easy decision. To support the hotel in connecting to the chilled water system, Vicinity invested capital in the expansion project, including street repairs, landscaping, and beautification to benefit the surrounding Kansas City community. With Vicinity’s operations and maintenance (O&M) support and dedicated customer service, the hotel now benefits from improved operational efficiency, increased reliability, and expert help on demand.

“We’ve been very happy with our longstanding steam service from Vicinity, and look forward to the additional efficiency, reliability and peace of mind we can expect from their chilled water service. Keeping our guests comfortable is our number one priority and we’re also so proud to be reducing our carbon footprint in the process,” states Hotel Phillips General Manager John Glenn of Arbor Lodging Partners LLC.

Reducing upfront capital investments

The switch to Vicinity’s chilled water substantially reduced the hotel’s upfront capital expenses, associated operations, and maintenance costs. With a lower total cost of ownership than onsite chillers, Hotel Phillips can now repurpose funds and staff hours to core business operations, optimizing guests’ experiences.

Achieving a lower carbon footprint beyond the building

Swapping the hotel’s cooling tower with chilled water yields a sizeable reduction in the hotel’s water and energy consumption, resulting in a net environmental benefit to the city. As Vicinity advances its net zero carbon plan across all its operations, Kansas City customers, like Hotel Phillips, will continue to receive greener energy solutions and reduce their carbon footprint. Vicinity’s district energy system in Kansas City plays a pivotal role in creating a sustainable, cleaner future.

Benefits

Upfront capital savings

99.99% reliability 

Less maintenance

Community volunteers, with the help of nonprofit and private sector, create urban pollinator habitat in Point Breeze park

Posted on May 13, 2024May 14, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

D is for district heating

Posted on May 13, 2024May 14, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Cambridge, Mass., Cogeneration Plant Upgraded With 42-MW Electric Boiler

Posted on April 25, 2024May 14, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

As Sustainability Deadlines Loom, Here’s What Measures Boston Developers Are Taking To Get Ahead

Posted on April 25, 2024May 14, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Summer readiness checklist

Posted on April 16, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

As temperatures rise, it’s time to ensure HVAC systems are geared up for the summer heat to optimize building systems’ performance, conserve energy, and keep occupants comfortable.

Whether buildings use district chilled water or operate onsite chillers and cooling towers, regularly reviewing and implementing this guide ensures proactive building readiness for summer temperatures, helps maximize equipment lifespan, and improves overall energy efficiency.

Print out this summer preparedness checklist and review it every spring to prepare staff and equipment for the coming warm temperatures. Please note that the steps will vary depending on the equipment present onsite.

Contact your account manager to explore partnering with Vicinity’s operations and maintenance experts to assist with summer readiness, equipment upgrades, or preventative maintenance programs.

Vicinity leverages best practices at its central facilities to provide a smooth transition into the summer season. These protocols ensure safe, reliable, and consistent operation to prevent service disruptions for customers who leverage chilled water or steam for cooling purposes. Vicinity’s interconnected energy facilities offer 99.99% uptime energy delivery with resiliency through redundant power and fuel sources.

Vicinity’s summer preparedness includes extensive cooling tower and chiller inspection and cleaning at Vicinity’s central facilities that produce chilled water, including basin cleaning, sterilization to prevent bacteria growth, and oil inspections on gearboxes and fan belts. Vicinity also performs eddy current testing to detect leaks on chiller tubes and inspects refrigerant and oil samples. By taking these proactive steps, Vicinity delivers reliable customer service year-round and reduces the maintenance needed onsite at customers’ buildings.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium optimize visitors’ experiences with district energy

Posted on April 11, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Industry

Sports and entertainment

Location

Baltimore, MD

Square footage

2.6 million

The customer

Located in downtown Baltimore, Oriole Park at Camden Yards became the official home of the Baltimore Orioles on April 6, 1992. Since then, more than 72 million fans have attended Orioles’ games, and millions more have attended concerts, festivals, meetings, tours, and community events held at the retro-style ballpark.

Adjacent to Oriole Park is M&T Bank Stadium, a multi-purpose football arena and home to the Baltimore Ravens since its construction in 1998. It’s one of the most praised stadiums in the NFL for amenities, ease of access, concessions, and other facilities.

As two of the most preeminent sports stadiums in the country, both facilities are LEED Gold certified (Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) and feature state-of-the-art amenities. The stadiums are owned by Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), a public corporation of the state that plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects. MSA aims to promote historic preservation, adaptive reuse, community redevelopment, cultural arts, and civic pride throughout the state with its projects.

The challenge

Both stadiums leveraged the Baltimore district energy network for heating and domestic hot water for nearly 30 years since they opened. However, shortly after the construction completed on Oriole Park at Camden Yards, MSA sought an efficient cooling solution to support both stadiums. MSA needed an energy solution that would keep guests and employees comfortable in the various amenity spaces, including locker rooms, restaurant/café, suites, press areas, special event space and offices.

The solution

Rather than investing in chillers and cooling towers at both stadiums, the Maryland Stadium Authority decided to construct its own central chilled water facility that could simultaneously cool both stadiums due to their proximity. MSA supplemented its cooling with Vicinity’s chilled water system for the historic 45,000 square foot gateway station and museum located at the opening gates of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Driving reliability to guarantee optimal event experiences

As the home for many events that draw large crowds, uninterrupted service is of utmost importance to MSA. Vicinity offers 99.99% uptime energy delivery through interconnected central energy facilities with multiple power supplies, back-up generation, and several water and fuel sources in the event of interruptions to other utilities. Also, Vicinity’s network incorporates thermal storage systems that produce chilled water from ice made using off-peak electricity—taking pressure off electrical grids during summer peak capacity periods and helping reduce electric capacity charges. With both Vicinity’s steam and chilled water, MSA can rest assured that staff and visitors are comfortable year-round, and there are no disruptions to events.

Minimizing carbon impact

The partnership between MSA and Vicinity drives efficiency and sustainability, lowering the stadiums’ carbon footprint. Vicinity leverages renewables to generate approximately 50% of the steam delivered to Baltimore customers and 100% carbon-free electricity via emission-free energy certificates (EFECs), enabling the two stadiums to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Even better, as Vicinity progresses its electrification strategy and incorporates new technologies at Maryland’s central facilities, the MSA can continue to promote sustainability at these two stadiums.

Benefits

Reduced carbon footprint

99.99% reliability 

Operations savings

The National Aquarium keeps its cool with Vicinity

Posted on April 11, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Industry

Hospitality

Location

Baltimore, MD

Square footage

250,000

The customer

Ranked as one of the nation’s top aquariums by U.S. News & World Report, the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is home to thousands of species. From colorful exotic fish to diverse collections of plants and animals, like crocodiles, birds, and reptiles, the National Aquarium delivers a memorable experience for visitors.

The challenge

Spanning across two piers within the Inner Harbor seaport, the National Aquarium complex is home to nearly 20,000 aquatic animals, with over 700 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The Aquarium requires a significant energy load because of the animals’ specific air and water temperature needs and the complex’s vast open spaces. To support the growing cooling needs of various exhibits and provide optimal comfort for visitors, the Aquarium needed an energy solution to supplement its cooling capacity back in 2001.

The solution

When looking for an energy solution with exceptional reliability, the Aquarium supplemented its cooling capacity through a long-term supply agreement with Vicinity. More recently, the Aquarium renewed this agreement for an additional twenty years, a testament to the Aquarium’s trust in Vicinity’s district chilled water service and clean energy mission.

“Through this partnership with Vicinity Energy, we are able to maintain the comfort of our visitors and support the delicate air and water temperature requirements of our aquatic plants and animals. The use of Vicinity Energy’s chilled water system… stands as a testament to the National Aquarium’s focus on sustainability and supports our mission to conserve the world’s aquatic treasures,” states John C. Racanelli, president and CEO of the National Aquarium.

Meeting precise energy needs

Vicinity supplies chilled water for roughly a dozen Aquarium exhibits, including the coral reef, kelp forest, anemones, puffins, and octopus. Since fluctuations in water temperature can cause stress and harm to the animals, the Aquarium uses the district chilled water system to prevent temperatures from fluctuating more than 2-3°F from the ideal temperature requirements for each exhibit. Certain species of seabirds, such as the Atlantic puffin, require cooler environments to mirror their native habitat in the northeastern Pacific. With the help of Vicinity’s chilled water, the water in the puffin exhibit is cooled to approximately 40 degrees °F, and the air temperature is set to a frosty 42 degrees °F.

Benefits

Precise energy needs

99.99% reliability 

Reduced maintenance effort and cost

eSteam™: a cost-effective, carbon-free renewable energy solution to decarbonize your commercial building

Posted on April 10, 2024July 18, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Commercial buildings represent the highest source of carbon emissions in major cities, making them one of the most important targets in urban decarbonization. eSteam™ is a unique solution that can address this challenge head-on and inexpensively decarbonize healthcare, life sciences, universities and commercial buildings with ease.

Accelerate decarbonization with eSteam™

Vicinity’s renewable thermal energy product will help you accelerate the decarbonization of your building and our communities. Our solution is turn-key.

eSteam™ reduces the need for you to invest in new onsite energy infrastructure to meet your sustainability goals. By connecting to the district energy system, you eliminate the need to make significant investments to decarbonize your building’s thermal energy load—we’re doing that for you. Vicinity will leverage and build upon existing infrastructure, including our existing network of steam pipes, electric substations, and transmission lines, and deploy the capital needed to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions.

For our cities, Vicinity’s eSteam™ provides a way to cleanly heat and cool urban buildings—reducing the need for natural gas boilers that create unregulated gas stacks and unmonitored carbon emissions—improving overall air quality in neighborhoods.

eSteam™ is the first renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States, offering maximum flexibility and superior environmental benefits.

eSteam™ benefits:

Carbon-free – eSteam™ is carbon-free, so you can meet your sustainability goals and avoid looming carbon taxes.
Total flexibility – You nominate how much eSteam™ you want annually and select the renewable electricity source to generate your eSteam™ based on your budget and sustainability objectives.
Affordability – eSteam™ is the most cost-effective, affordable option to green your building compared to alternatives, like electric boilers in your building. Vicinity’s access to transmission level rates gives district energy an economic advantage over onsite equipment.
Avoid carbon fees and fines – Many cities in the U.S. have implemented or are considering laws that will lower greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Oftentimes, these policies will carry hefty fines for non-compliance. eSteam™ is guaranteed carbon- free, giving you peace of mind that your building will be green, without costing you more green.
Maximum reliability and resiliency – Join the many customers who choose Vicinity’s district energy heating and cooling products for maximum reliability and resiliency.
Low capital investments – To access the benefits of eSteam™, you don’t need to invest in costly capital projects and you can avoid expensive building retrofits. Decarbonize your thermal energy footprint by simply connecting to Vicinity’s district energy network.
Certifications – Gain potential points for LEED® and ENERGY STAR® certifications to demonstrate your buildings’ commitment to sustainability.

Customers benefit from carbon-free eSteam™ generated with renewable electricity.

How eSteam™ works

By installing electric boilers at our central facilities and procuring renewable power from the grid, we can offer carbon-free steam to meet your buildings’ thermal energy needs. Vicinity can purchase renewable power on your behalf—such as wind, solar and hydro—at transmission level rates, allowing us to keep your costs down.

Coupled with other technologies like industrial-scale heat pumps and thermal storage, our goal is to offer you the most affordable, flexible thermal energy product that lowers carbon footprints, improves air quality and meets sustainability goals.

Vicinity’s eSteam™ is the first renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States, offering you maximum flexibility and superior environmental benefits.

Lock in with eSteam™ today to decarbonize your buildings and avoid looming carbon fees. To learn more about eSteam™ email our energy experts at info@vicinityenergy.us.

Industry

Location

Square footage

The customer

The challenge

The solution

Reducing upfront capital investments

Achieving a lower carbon footprint beyond the building

Benefits

Upfront capital savings

99.99% reliability

Less maintenance

As temperatures rise, it’s time to ensure HVAC systems are geared up for the summer heat to optimize building systems’ performance, conserve energy, and keep occupants comfortable.

Contact your account manager to explore partnering with Vicinity’s operations and maintenance experts to assist with summer readiness, equipment upgrades, or preventative maintenance programs.

Industry

Location

Square footage

The customer

The challenge

The solution

Driving reliability to guarantee optimal event experiences

Minimizing carbon impact

Benefits

Reduced carbon footprint

99.99% reliability

Operations savings

Industry

Location

Square footage

The customer

The challenge

The solution

Meeting precise energy needs

Benefits

Precise energy needs

99.99% reliability

Reduced maintenance effort and cost

Accelerate decarbonization with eSteam™

How eSteam™ works

Stay informed

Technologies

Products

Services

99.99% reliability 

99.99% reliability 

99.99% reliability 