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Watergate

Providing reliable and sustainable heating and cooling to buildings across the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C.

Nestled in the Washington D.C.’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, the Watergate Energy Collaborative Utility serves the historic Watergate Complex with reliable high-pressure steam and chilled water. As owner and operator of the utility system, Vicinity is managing the energy operations to provide reliable and sustainable heating and cooling to six buildings that comprise the mixed-used campus.

With over $11 million in planned investments, Vicinity will revamp the plant and distribution system to improve efficiency, reliability and sustainability. Upgrades include converting the plant’s 55-year-old steam heating system to high efficiency hot water, complete efficiency upgrades to the chilled water system, and installation of an advanced treatment system to facilitate use of groundwater, currently sent to the sewer, as makeup water to the plant, saving millions of gallons of water each year.

500,000

Square feet of space served

$11 million

Planned improvements to the plant and distribution system

6

Buildings served with steam and chilled water

Investing in District Energy

By centralizing and aggregating the production of heat, hot and chilled water to multiple buildings, district energy cuts down on the amount of fuel that would be required by individual buildings using onsite generation, and the resulting carbon emissions. Furthermore, it allows for faster, more complete transitions to clean energy options as they become available.

District systems and infrastructure can easily be updated to integrate new technologies and/or renewable fuels that benefit a great number of buildings in a geographic footprint. This allows for carbon footprint reductions at a scale that would be impossible to achieve on an individual basis.

Learn more about the benefits of District Energy

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.

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

How District Energy Works

District energy is an innovative and resilient energy solution that uses a centrally located facility, or facilities, to generate thermal energy—heat, hot water, or chilled water—which is then transported through highly insulated underground pipes directly to nearby buildings, avoiding the need for boilers, chillers and cooling towers in individual buildings. Watch the video to learn more about how district energy works.

What is District Energy?

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
Van Andel Institute
The Walters Art Museum
Metropolitan
Two Liberty Place
Flash Cube Apartments
Jefferson Health
National Aquarium
Maryland Stadium Authority
New England Aquarium
Boston Medical Center
Walnut Street Theatre