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Boston and Cambridge

Distributing reliable and sustainable district energy to over 260 buildings in the Boston and Cambridge areas.

For over 90 years, the Boston and Cambridge district system has distributed reliable, resilient and sustainable district energy to some of the area’s premier hospitals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, universities, hotel and entertainment venues, commercial space, and government facilities. Vicinity Energy’s robust, underground district energy network distributes 99.99% reliable cogenerated thermal energy—or green steam—to over 260 buildings that use it for heating, making hot and chilled water, steam-driven cooling and processes like sterilization and humidification.

$110 million

Green steam project investment in Boston and Cambridge

165,000 tons

Annual reduction of the region’s GHG emissions

36,000 cars

Cars removed from the road per year (carbon reduction equivalent)

Investing in Boston and Cambridge

In Boston and Cambridge, Vicinity has invested over $110 million in a series of green steam projects to improve efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. These projects include incorporating the interconnection of the two previously separated district energy systems, a new 7,000-foot steam pipeline extension, acquisition and reconfiguration of the Kendall Station Cogeneration facility and the integration of renewable energy.

The new pipeline from Kendall captures and leverages the facility’s excess heat for use in Vicinity’s district networks, thereby recycling thermal energy that was previously discarded. These combined efforts have dramatically reduced the city’s carbon footprint.

Learn more about District Energy in Boston and Cambridge

Meet The Federal Building Performance Standard With District Energy

Vicinity's systems can help you instantly meet the requirements set by Biden's Building Performance Standard (BPS) while benefiting from the efficient, sustainable, and reliable service district energy provides.

Boston Medical Center logo

“After careful analysis of all of our potential options, it became clear that with Vicinity’s recent investments to create a more sustainable district energy system, executing a new “Green Steam” contract with Vicinity would best support our sustainability goal of a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.”

Bob Biggio

Vice President of Facilities and Support Services, Boston Medical Center

Electrifying Boston and Cambridge

With the help of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, we kicked off our electrification plans with the deconstruction of the steam turbine at our Kendall facility, paving the way for the installation of our new 42MW electric boiler.

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An Innovative Approach to a Cleaner Environment

With decades of building and managing the largest energy districts in the U.S., Vicinity continues to innovate and invest in sustainable energy infrastructure and technology to reduce our overall environmental impact.

Our Clean Energy Future is a reflection of this commitment and incorporates the latest strategies and technologies available, including:

  • Electrifying generation ​to further reduce ​carbon emissions as the grid gets greener;
  • Investing in efficiency projects and upgrades to our existing district infrastructure;​
  • Leveraging renewable energy for our “house loads” in our facilities;
  • Researching new opportunities, like the introduction of battery storage, to meet the needs of customers and avoid costly grid interruption; and
  • Exploring additional leading-edge technologies to accelerate our transition.

Learn more about our Clean Energy Future

Infographic showing Vicinity Energy's Path to a Clean Energy Future

A Clean Energy Future is in our Grasp

By taking action and implementing a host of innovative energy strategies and technologies, Vicinity is leading the way to building decarbonization.
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Our Customers

We help organizations of all sizes—from hospitals to hotels to municipalities—use and manage energy more efficiently, sustainably, and strategically.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
IQHQ
Boston Medical Center
Northeastern University
New England Aquarium
Boston Historical Society
Emerson College logo

Meet Local Building Performance Standards With District Energy

Talk to our team of energy experts today to learn how district energy can help your Boston and Cambridge buildings meet BERDO 2.0 and BEUDO requirements.