Life sciences Archives | Vicinity Energy

Empowering life sciences: Achieving sustainability with district energy solutions

Posted on October 8, 2024October 7, 2024 by Mary Calnan

Life science companies nationwide are dedicated to cutting-edge research and developing critical innovations and medications. This type of mission-critical work requires reliable energy 24/7, and compared to similarly sized commercial office space, lab facilities require 10 times more energy.

Because of their energy-intensive needs, many life sciences companies have established sustainability goals for eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the planet. According to McKinsey research, the number of life science companies that have established carbon emission reduction goals increased by nearly 100 from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, many leading U.S. cities with booming life science markets also have aggressive climate action goals, making low-carbon sustainable energy a non-negotiable requirement.

Because of its high demand for energy and ambitious sustainability targets, the life sciences industry has a long history of leveraging green and reliable district energy for sterilization, humidity control, and building heating and cooling. As these companies expand in major U.S. cities close to Vicinity’s district energy systems, like in Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore, they can better meet their high energy needs and gain access to the right talent pool.

Vicinity currently provides steam to 33 life science facilities, totaling nearly 27 million square feet of building space. From supporting The Curtis’ office space to lab conversion in Philadelphia and providing carbon-free eSteam^TM to IQHQ’s Fenway neighborhood district developments in Boston, district energy enables life science companies to excel as leaders in research and sustainability.

Why district energy is a trusted solution

State-of-the-art office and lab spaces support life science companies’ efforts to continuously operate without interruption, attract and retain top talent, and fulfill their corporate sustainability goals. While aging natural gas boilers require continuous maintenance and contribute to significant greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere due to the onsite combustion of fossil fuels, district steam better suits life sciences companies’ energy-intensive demand for heating, hot water, and sterilization without the ongoing maintenance costs.

Meeting high energy and reliability demands

Laboratories have particular and stringent energy requirements. From ventilation, space temperature, and humidity requirements to sterilization of laboratory tools and equipment, life science companies need high-quality, reliable thermal energy at a high volume to support their critical operations. Any potential interruptions can lead to millions of dollars in lost research and development, presenting a financial burden for life science companies and detrimental risks to advancing fundamental medical discoveries.

Optimizing energy efficiency to fulfill corporate sustainability goals

By leveraging district energy, facilities better support life sciences companies’ operational needs and sustainability commitments. Rather than relying on onsite boilers that continuously burn fossil fuels 24/7, companies only access steam when needed, maximizing the efficiency of their operations. Vicinity’s green steam is generated in combined heat and power (CHP) facilities, which produce electricity while simultaneously capturing waste heat that would otherwise be lost under conventional methods.

CHP systems are 25% more efficient than onsite generation, saving energy and reducing greenhouse emissions.

As Vicinity invests in upgrades at our central facilities, Vicinity’s operations will rely solely on renewable, carbon-free fuel sources and innovative technologies—including a blend of electric boilers, an industrial-scale heat pump complex, and thermal storage—to generate eSteam™. This transition enables life sciences customers, like IQHQ, to lead the way in decarbonization. Because district energy is safer, more efficient, and more resilient than conventional onsite energy generation, life sciences companies are closer to meeting their ambitious corporate goals.

Boosting tenant retention and satisfaction

In collaboration with life sciences real estate developers, Vicinity helps adapt buildings to better suit their needs. Building owners can rest assured that Vicinity’s long-term clean and reliable energy solution will enhance the overall satisfaction of their premier life sciences tenants while eliminating risks associated with outdated and inefficient equipment.

Benefits of district energy for mission-critical life sciences operations

Our energy solutions for life sciences are reliable and green, helping advance the innovations that propel our communities forward and protect our world.

Increased reliability and sustainability – Without the burden of onsite combustion or maintaining chillers or boilers, district energy is a safer and more sustainable alternative. We have a 99.99% reliability guarantee and a team of over 450 energy experts, allowing you to focus on your work while we ensure 24/7 energy delivery.
Optimal sterilization and humidification – The CDC recommends steam sanitation over conventional sanitation methods. Vicinity can provide a safer, more environmentally friendly energy solution to keep life science facilities primed for innovation.
Uninterrupted energy supply – Proper operations and maintenance (O&M) of energy infrastructure ensures that laboratories and medical research facilities can rely on a reliable and uninterrupted thermal energy supply.

Get started with district energy today to decarbonize your life science buildings and access reliable, uninterrupted service.

Vicinity Energy Executive Chairman Bill DiCroce on Boston Public Radio

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Bella Pace

Boston Public Radio in conversation with Vicinity Energy’s Bill DiCroce

Hosted by WGBH | October 3, 2024

On the WGBH Boston Public Radio show, Vicinity Energy’s Executive Chairman Bill DiCroce joined the President of the Alliance for Climate Transition Joe Curtatone on the radio to discuss how Vicinity is combating the climate crisis by electrifying our district energy systems, and why more businesses need to take action now.

About Boston Public Radio

Hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan facilitate smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. Listen to the full episode here.

The Boston Globe Climate Club Explores: Climate Innovation

Posted on October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 by Bella Pace

Vicinity Energy’s CEO Kevin Hagerty took part in an Energy Innovations panel, hosted by The Boston Globe and presented by the Museum of Science. The panel explored the past, present, and future of energy innovations, including what has shaped the current landscape and the groundbreaking advancements that are driving us toward a sustainable future. Climate reporter Sabrina Shankman moderated the dynamic conversation between Kevin and the Executive Director of HEETlabs, Audrey Schulman, and the Chief Technology Officer of Innovation at Schneider Electric, Scott Harden.

Charging ahead: Vicinity’s decarbonization pathway through electrification

Posted on September 16, 2024September 24, 2024 by Scott McBurney

Mitigating carbon in the U.S.’s production and distribution of energy is now just as critically important as society’s ever-growing need for energy. The federal government, states, and local municipalities are implementing, drafting, and debating new laws, regulations, and programs to swiftly push the clean energy transition and decarbonization.

Commercial buildings represent the highest source of carbon emissions in major cities, making them one of the most critical targets in urban decarbonization. New York City’s Local Law 97 was the first to set restrictions around carbon emissions on existing and new buildings—with Boston following close behind with Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) 2.0.  As communities strive to lessen the impacts of climate change and building owners look to comply with these evolving mandates, it’s clear that resilient, reliable, and agile energy solutions are needed for a more sustainable future.

The first district energy electrification strategy in the U.S.

One of the most valuable assets in achieving aggressive decarbonization targets is district energy, a network of underground pipes that delivers thermal energy and chilled water to buildings in urban communities. Because district energy systems are agile, flexible, and agnostic to fuel sources, they are essential tools to decarbonize communities at scale. As clean energy technology evolves and more renewable sources become available, Vicinity is quickly adapting to emerging trends to eliminate carbon from operations at central facilities in 12 cities across the country.

In 2020, Vicinity pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2050. As Vicinity delivers steam for heating, cooling, and sterilization to customers ranging from state-of-the-art life sciences research facilities to Class A commercial office space, the company remains committed to providing reliable and affordable products to help customers eliminate carbon emissions.

How Vicinity is getting there

The backbone of Vicinity’s decarbonization plan is the electrification of its operations by utilizing a combination of existing infrastructure and implementing new, innovative technologies at Vicinity’s central facilities.

Like district energy systems in Canada and Europe, Vicinity will import carbon-free electrons through co-located substations to power electric boilers and industrial-scale heat pumps. These technologies with thermal storage will deliver safe, clean, and reliable carbon-free steam, known as eSteam^TM, for heating, cooling, sterilization, humidification, and other thermal energy needs.

While the technologies will vary at each of Vicinity’s central thermal energy facilities, below is a quick snapshot of the overall electrification strategy:

- Biogenic fuel: A truly circular solution, Vicinity uses the waste cooking oil discarded by the local food service industry to generate steam. Vicinity has replaced heating oil with LR100, a biogenic fuel derived from waste vegetable oil. Benefits include significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared to distillate fuel and improving local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate emissions.
- Heat pumps: Vicinity is partnering with a Germany-based energy provider to develop a low-temperature water-source heat pump system for carbon-free eSteam^TM generation. These plans are already in motion as Vicinity looks ahead to 2028 when the Kendall facility in Cambridge will be home to Massachusetts’s largest planned industrial-scale heat pump complex. Installation at other locations in Philadelphia and Kansas City will follow.
- Electric boilers: Leveraging existing infrastructure and access to a lower-cost, transmission-level electrical supply, Vicinity will consume renewable power from the grid and import it to its facility through the co-located substation to produce carbon-free eSteam^TM.
- Thermal storage: Vicinity will procure renewable electricity when available and costs are lower (typically overnight for offshore wind) to generate eSteam^TM and store it for when demand is high, dramatically lowering customers’ average cost of renewable thermal energy.

What this means for Vicinity’s district energy customers and communities

Vicinity’s decarbonization journey enables buildings to transition to clean energy sources at scale and seamlessly achieve carbon reductions without any additional capital needed. As federal, state, and city officials enact building performance standards to reduce existing and new buildings’ carbon footprint, Vicinity continues to invest in infrastructure at central facilities. It enables customers to comply with these evolving standards. Vicinity’s eSteam^TMsets customers on a rapid pathway to decarbonize by 2050 and achieve their ambitious ESG initiatives. With eSteam^TM, Vicinity’s valued customers, like IQHQ, can provide resilient and responsible spaces to positively impact their building occupants and the surrounding community.

Oklahoma State University Partners with Vicinity Energy for Sustainable District Energy

Posted on September 3, 2024September 5, 2024 by Bella Pace

Tulsa, September 5, 2024—Vicinity Energy, a leader in decarbonization with the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, has partnered with Oklahoma State University (OSU) to provide chilled water and steam service to a new medical campus. This project will combine multiple existing buildings into a state-of-the-art hospital. Vicinity will serve the entire 58-bed medical-surgical inpatient hospital for Oklahoma veterans, totaling over 275,000 square feet of building space.

The medical campus will use steam and chilled water for space heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and direct steam humidification. By choosing district energy, the campus will reduce the emissions associated with its onsite operations.

Nearly 100% of the condensate water will be returned and reused at Vicinity’s facility. This sustainable practice conserves water and enhances the system’s overall efficiency, aligning with Vicinity’s commitment to a clean energy future.

By utilizing district energy, the medical campus will experience enhanced reliability, better redundancy, and greater energy efficiency compared to operating onsite equipment. This ensures a stable and efficient energy supply, which is crucial for the continuous and reliable operation of the medical facility.

“This partnership reflects our dedication to operational excellence,” said Dr. Johnny Stephens, president of Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. “By integrating Vicinity’s district energy solutions, we are not only minimizing our carbon footprint but also enhancing the reliability and efficiency of our medical facilities. This collaboration ensures that we provide our veterans with a safe and environmentally responsible healthcare environment.”

“At Vicinity, our priority is delivering innovative, sustainable energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of our customers,” said Kevin Hagerty, CEO and president of Vicinity. “We’re proud that OSU has chosen district energy for its reliability and environmental benefits, entrusting us with the opportunity to power their state-of-the-art medical campus. This partnership not only significantly reduces OSU’s onsite carbon emissions but also positively impacts the campus and the surrounding community.”

Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its entire portfolio while offering sustainable solutions to help decarbonize its customers and communities. In Tulsa, Vicinity plans to implement electric boilers and heat recovery heat pumps, leveraging renewable energy sources to decarbonize its operations. This initiative will allow Vicinity to provide Tulsa customers with its carbon-free thermal energy product, eSteam™.

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 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

Sustainability spotlight: a conversation between Vicinity Energy and Ballard Spahr

Posted on August 6, 2024August 7, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Sustainability spotlight: a conversation between Vicinity Energy and Ballard Spahr

by Ballard Spahr | August 6, 2024

In this episode of Ballard Spahr’s Sustainability Spotlight series, Vicinity Energy’s Chief Sustainability Officer Matt O’Malley and Vice President of Government Affairs Jeannie Morris discuss how Vicinity is combating the climate crisis with carbon-free eSteam™ and why more businesses need to take action now. Brendan K. Collins, a partner in Ballard Spahr’s Philadelphia Office and leader of the firm’s Manufacturing and Consumer Products Industry Group, hosts the discussion.

About Ballard Spahr LLP

Ballard Spahr LLP, an Am Law 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers in 15 U.S. offices, serves clients across industry sectors in litigation, transactions, and regulatory compliance. The firm’s Sustainability Spotlight podcast highlights the sustainability efforts that businesses are making to combat climate change and other environmental challenges.

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

Reliable green steam supports The Curtis’ office to lab conversion in Philadelphia

Posted on June 24, 2024August 15, 2024 by Vicinity Energy

Industry

Life sciences

Location

Philadelphia, PA

Square footage

912,245

The customer

Situated near Independence Hall, The Curtis, founded in 1891 and owned by the Keystone Property Group, is a historic 12-floor, mixed-use building. From luxury living to collaborative office spaces and a wide range of retail and dining offerings, this revitalized Philadelphia icon also supports the city’s booming life sciences industry with its innovative lab facilities.

The challenge

Because of the city’s thriving life sciences scene, Keystone sought to convert The Curtis’ traditional office spaces to support lab research. From ventilation, space temperature, and humidity needs to sterilizing laboratory tools and equipment, laboratories have particular and stringent energy requirements to support continuous operations. Keystone’s existing onsite boiler could not handle the precise requirements necessary for laboratory research and the increasing energy demands of life science tenants. Keystone needed an alternative energy solution to serve the high-pressure, clean steam requirements to attract and support life science tenants’ needs.

The solution

To meet the unique energy needs and space requirements while ensuring peak reliability at The Curtis, Keystone turned to Vicinity’s district energy system for heating, reheating, sterilization, and humidification to support lab research.

“This is an exciting time for the life sciences industry in Philadelphia, and The Curtis’ conversion from office to lab space is at the forefront of the city’s life science sector. Thanks to the reliability and flexibility of district energy, tenants can be confident that our labs will maintain consistent 24/7 heating, reheating, sterilization, and humidification to meet the specific requirements needed to support their critical research,” states Keystone Property Group’s Senior Property Manager Sam Mattei.

Empowering Keystone to meet each tenant’s needs

Keystone recognized the value of district energy in its scalability and capacity to deliver the uninterrupted—and sustainable—low-carbon thermal energy required for tenant lab spaces. Keystone can conveniently increase its steam demand to support additional floors if needed, without any additional upfront capital investment.

Supporting mission-critical needs

High-pressure steam is the preferred method of sterilization for state-of-the-art hospitals and research facilities across the globe. Vicinity reduces energy risk for The Curtis and 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. Access to reliable and clean district steam allows the life science tenants to carry on their mission-critical research without compromising on productivity, safety, or results.

Reducing Philadelphia’s carbon footprint

The partnership between Keystone and Vicinity drives sustainability in The Curtis and beyond, lowering the building’s carbon footprint and impact on the surrounding community. Because Vicinity’s district energy system relies on the highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) process and biogenic fuels to produce steam, The Curtis is able to avoid approximately 168 tons of carbon each year, the equivalent of removing 34 cars from the road. As Vicinity transitions to cleaner energy solutions and incorporates new technologies at Philadelphia’s central facilities, The Curtis will benefit from continuous greening solutions that will further cut carbon emissions.