Industry: Residential real estate
Mayor Wu Kicks off Vicinity Energy’s Electrification Plans
Could steam heat, long used by cities and colleges, be a solution to climate change?
Could steam heat be a solution to climate change?
Beneath the streets of hundreds of North America’s oldest cities lies a network of pipes delivering steam heat to office buildings and hospitals. These steam loops could be a clean energy solution.
The Morning Edition of NPR Radio discusses Vicinity Energy’s district systems as a valuable tool to decarbonize cities at scale. Susan Phillips of NPR member station WHYY in Philadelphia reports these steam loop systems could be a climate change solution.
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‘Steam loops’ under many cities could be a climate change solution
Now is the time to triple down on renewables
Vicinity Energy Incorporates Green Loan Principles to Support Investment Funding in Green Districts
August 9, 2022 – Vicinity Energy, a decarbonization leader with the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, has recently incorporated Green Loan Principles into its existing credit facilities. Vicinity will use funds from new Green Loan borrowings to support investments into eligible green projects across its district energy systems using renewable energy, waste heat, cogenerated heat, or a combination. The Green Loan Principles, initially introduced by the LSTA, APLMA, and LMA, provide a general framework of market standards and guidelines to promote the development and integrity of the Green Loan product. Vicinity intends to use the funds of the Green Loan for investments that are consistent with the EU Taxonomy technical criteria for District Energy and the Energy Efficiency category of the Green Loan Principles.
Vicinity’s lender group includes many leading global financial institutions for sustainable financing. BNP Paribas served as Green Loan Coordinator.
With a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Vicinity is electrifying its district energy systems in Boston and Cambridge, with its other locations to follow. The company’s multi-pronged decarbonization and electrification plan includes installing innovative technologies such as electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage. As a key part of this strategy, Vicinity announced the launch of eSteam™, the first-ever carbon-free thermal energy product powered by renewable energy.
“Vicinity is on the forefront of building decarbonization. We are investing in our existing infrastructure today to provide our customers with a resilient and cost-effective option to cleanly heat and cool their buildings. Our new Green Loan financing is closely aligned with our corporate ESG objectives,” said Bill DiCroce, Vicinity’s president and chief executive officer.
“Vicinity is working collaboratively with our communities to help achieve their net zero goals. We are excited to have the partnership of financial institutions who share our commitment to sustainability,” added Matt O’Malley, chief sustainability officer of Vicinity.
“BNP Paribas is proud to support Vicinity Energy in its program to decarbonize infrastructure and invest in energy-efficient assets as a key part of the firm’s journey to net zero,” said Anne van Riel, head of sustainable finance capital markets at BNP Paribas for the Americas region.
About Vicinity Energy
Vicinity Energy is a clean energy company that owns and operates an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States. Vicinity produces and distributes reliable, clean steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 250 million square feet of building space nationwide. Vicinity continuously invests in its infrastructure and the latest technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial and institutional buildings in city centers. Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon across its portfolio by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.vicinityenergy.us or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Media Contact
media@vicinityenergy.us
Vicinity Energy’s district steam loop is planning to use more sustainable energy to heat and cool Philadelphia’s buildings
Report Cards Come Due for Building Performance
Vicinity Energy Awarded with Outstanding Mechanical Installation Award in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, June 21, 2022 – Vicinity Energy has received an Outstanding Mechanical Installation (OMI) Award in the large mechanical project class by the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Kansas City, Missouri, for its chilled water lateral expansion completed in collaboration with Enerfab and Davidson Architecture + Engineering.
The OMI Awards recognize the best mechanical projects completed in the last three years in the Kansas City Area. Projects are evaluated based on the complexity, quality, serviceability, and overall difficulty of the challenges involved.
The project expanded Vicinity’s district energy system piping 12,000 ft. to serve chilled water to the west side of Kansas City’s Central Business District. In conjunction with contractors Enerfab and engineers at Davidson Architecture + Engineering, the project included the interconnection of the first three customer buildings to be served by the lateral expansion: Flashcube apartments, KC Downtown Convention Center Hotel, and the MC Realty-owned 114 W. 11th Street.
With a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Vicinity Energy is currently electrifying its district energy systems in Boston and Cambridge with its other locations to follow. The company’s multi-pronged decarbonization and electrification plan includes installing innovative technologies such as electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage. As a key part of this strategy, Vicinity announced the launch of eSteam™, the first-ever carbon-free thermal energy product powered by renewable energy.
Over the next few years, Vicinity’s Kansas City operations will begin to procure renewable energy sources and work towards rapidly decarbonizing buildings connected to the district energy system in the city.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City,” said Scott Stordahl, general manager for Vicinity Energy. “This project involved a lot of hard work and collaboration from our team and partners, and we’re proud to expand our offering of reliable chilled water to more Kansas City buildings.”
Click here to read more about Vicinity’s district energy systems and its commitment to innovation and the environment.
About Vicinity Energy
Vicinity Energy is a clean energy company that owns and operates an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States. Vicinity produces and distributes reliable, clean steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 250 million square feet of building space nationwide. Vicinity continuously invests in its infrastructure and the latest technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial and institutional buildings in city centers. Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon across its portfolio by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.vicinityenergy.us or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Media Contact
media@vicinityenergy.us
District energy and its importance to a greener future
In this interview with Capital Analytics, Chief Customer Officer of Vicinity Energy Jackie Bliss discusses why district energy will be crucial to decarbonization efforts, as well as the current status of women leadership in the energy and utilities sector.
