Tag: Oklahoma City
Investment firm acquires majority stake in Vicinity Energy in $2.92B valuation
Sustainability
At Vicinity Energy, we are leveraging our existing district energy systems and deploying innovative technologies to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.
To reach net zero carbon emissions, we are electrifying our operations using three proven technologies.
- Industrial-scale heat pumps will efficiently utilize energy from adjacent water sources to produce eSteam™.
- Electric boilers will use renewable electricity to power the industrial-scale electric boilers to produce eSteam™.
- Thermal storage technologies will be used to produce eSteam™ from stored, off-peak renewable electricity.
How does eSteam™ work?
Vicinity will use a combination of heat pumps, electric boilers, and thermal storage technologies to create carbon-free eSteam™.
Procure
Vicinity will procure electricity from renewable, carbon-free energy sources and import the power through a co-located electric substation.
Produce
Powered by renewable electricity, electric boilers and industrial-scale heat pumps will transform water into eSteam™.
Optimize
Thermal storage provides on-demand eSteam™ production from stored, off-peak renewable electricity.
Distribute
Carbon-free eSteam™ will be distributed to customers through underground piping infrastructure.
Biogenic fuels
Vicinity utilizes waste cooking oil discarded by the local food service industry to generate steam to heat and cool businesses and institutions in the very same community. A truly circular solution, Vicinity is consuming this fuel in many of our central plants to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
To learn more about Vicinity’s plans to decarbonize, visit vicinityenergy.us, or email info@vicinityenergy.us.
Condensate heat recovery and reuse
Improve steam system efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support sustainability goals with condensate heat recovery and clean water reuse services from Vicinity.
Many steam systems discharge hot condensate that still contains valuable heat and clean, treated water. Vicinity helps customers capture and reuse this resource to lower energy and water costs, improve system performance, and reduce environmental impact.
Benefits of condensate recovery and reuse
- Lower energy and water costs
- Reduced steam consumption
- Improved system efficiency
- Reduced carbon emissions and water use
- Potential support for LEED, ESG, or other sustainability objectives
Vicinity can evaluate, design, and install condensate heat recovery or reuse solutions tailored to each building’s system, operating needs, and sustainability goals.
Common applications include:
- Domestic hot water preheating
- Low temperature heating
- Air handler preheating
- Swimming pool preheating
- Snowmelt and surface heating for sidewalks, walkways, or loading docks
- Greywater systems
- Irrigation, green roof watering, fountains, reflecting pools, or other water features
- Power washing
Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) reuses condensate in outdoor reflective pool to reduce water costs
The Maryland Center for History and Culture developed a creative solution to pipe condensate into an adjacent outdoor reflecting pool, helping reduce sewer charges and city water costs. By recycling condensate instead of discarding it, MCHC conserves water, lowers costs, and reduces its environmental impact on the surrounding community.
Ready to see what your building could save?
Contact your Vicinity account manager or email info@vicinityenergy.us to schedule a condensate recovery walkthrough.
Steam trap inspection services
Maximize steam efficiency, safety, and cost savings and keep your steam system operating at peak performance with proactive steam trap inspections from Vicinity ProService.
Our trained technicians use advanced ultrasonic digital detection technology to identify failed, leaking, or blocked steam traps before they lead to energy waste, equipment damage, or safety concerns.
Benefits of a Vicinity ProService steam trap survey
Lower energy costs
Identify and eliminate steam losses that increase energy consumption and operating expenses.
Improve equipment reliability
Extend the life of steam system components and reduce unplanned downtime. Deliver high quality, dry steam throughout the system.
Enhance workplace safety
Reduce the potential for condensate buildup and dangerous water hammer incidents.
Support sustainability goals
Improve energy efficiency and lower associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Identify immediate savings opportunities
DOE analysis shows that repairing a single failed steam trap can save thousands of dollars annually, depending on operating conditions.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 15% to 30% of steam traps in systems that have not been maintained for 3 to 5 years may have failed, resulting in significant energy losses. Regular inspection programs can reduce failed trap populations to less than 5%.
Contact Vicinity ProService today
Schedule a site walkthrough to get a scope and proposal for steam trap testing. Upon approval, qualified Vicinity technicians will perform inspections using thermal and ultrasonic equipment. First-time surveys include trap tagging and cataloging for future tracking.
Receive a comprehensive report that includes:
- Status of each steam trap
- Identified failures and deficiencies
- Recommended corrective actions
- Estimated energy and cost savings opportunities
Preventative maintenance services
Vicinity’s comprehensive maintenance services are offered year-round—during peak usage or before system turn-ons—to optimize steam efficiency, reliability, and cost savings.
Why preventative maintenance?
- Improve reliability before peak heating season
- Reduce outages, disruptions, and comfort complaints
- Catch small issues before they become costly repairs
- Support safer, more efficient equipment operation
- Extend critical system life and performance
Available services
Steam trap surveys
Ensure steam traps function correctly and prevent issues that can lead to energy waste, equipment damage, and safety hazards.
Pressure Regulating Valves (PRVs)
Maintain PRVs for efficient system operation and prevention of system over-pressurization.
Strainers
Reduce rust and pipe scale damage to valves and pumps. Ensure heat transfer surfaces are kept free of efficiency-reducing deposits.
Heat exchanger and water samples
Ensure heat exchangers are operating efficiently, tube bundles are not leaking, and that water is not entering the system through leaks.
Steam pipe
Inspect steam pipe and insulation integrity to ensure safe and reliable delivery of steam to the facility.
Condensate return line
Ensure proper evacuation of condensate from system lines, and identify the presence of leaking steam traps in the system.
Mechanical room hot water loop
Confirm efficient operation of key energy transfer equipment such as heat exchangers, which supply building heat, hot water, or other process loads.
Seasonal and maintenance shutdowns/turn-ons
Prevent pipe deterioration and prepare systems to be dormant for an extended period by draining the systems for shutdowns.
To learn more about Vicinity’s ProService program and schedule a walkthrough, email info@vicinityenergy.us.
ProService overview
Vicinity ProService provides responsive expert support to help keep heat, hot water, and steam systems operating safely, efficiently, and reliably.
Vicinity ProService benefits
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Improve reliability before peak heating season
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Reduce outages, disruptions, and comfort complaints
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Catch small issues before they become costly repairs
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Support safer, more efficient equipment operation
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Extend critical system life and performance
Why Vicinity ProService?
District energy expertise: Specialists who understand customer-side equipment and Vicinity’s network.
Responsive support: Help for urgent needs plus proactive maintenance plan
Practical recommendations: Targeted improvements to strengthen reliability, efficiency, and performance.
Available services
Emergency services & repairs
Emergency response, service calls, heat and hot water troubleshooting, leak identification, shutdowns, and urgent steam support.
Operations and maintenance
Seasonal tune-ups, inspections, steam trap testing, valve cleaning and repairs, and system turn-ons or shutdowns.
Energy efficiency and system optimization
Domestic hot water review, heat exchanger inspections, pressure reducing valve service, condensate equipment evaluation and beneficial reuse, and insulation checks.
Equipment installation, repair and upgrade
Support for pumps, PRVs, heat exchangers, condensate equipment, heating equipment, steam valves, domestic hot water systems, and insulation.
Schedule your ProService assessment
Contact your Vicinity account manager or email us at info@vicinityenergy.us today to schedule an assessment, request a quote, or learn more about services available in your market.
Vicinity Energy collaborated with several industry partners to provide a speedy and flexible solution for an NBA arena
Industry
Hospitality
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Square footage
581,000
The customer
Home to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, the Paycom Center has been a cornerstone of Oklahoma City since 2002. It’s owned and operated by the City of Oklahoma City and has hosted more than 1,200 events since its opening.
With a capacity of over 18,000 seats and over 500,000 square feet of building space, the arena is designed to NBA and National Hockey League standards. The multi-purpose venue also hosts an array of entertainment events including professional sports, concerts, and live TV such as WWE.
The challenge
The City of Oklahoma City passed a bond issue in 2023 to build a new arena to replace the Paycom Center. The site selected for the new arena was a city-owned facility that provided onsite heating and cooling to the Paycom Center. To start the demolition of the new arena site, the city needed to provide an alternate source for heating and cooling to the original Paycom Center. They also needed to avoid disruptions to the arena event schedule, which included the NBA season.
The solution
The Paycom Center needed to solve its heating and cooling needs very quickly. So, Vicinity Energy worked alongside several industry partners to produce a completely unique solution.
Providing speedy solutions that keep buildings running
Vicinity teamed up with engineering firm FSB, equipment supplier EEI, and local contractor United Mechanical. The team leveraged EEI’s long-term relationship with Grundfos, an international manufacturer, to produce a heating and cooling system that was reliable but could be installed rather quickly.
In this system, hot water and chilled water equipment was designed for Grundfos to mount on skids. The skids were manufactured offsite at a Grundfos facility to ensure no onsite disruption at the Paycom Center. When complete, the skids were transported to the Paycom Center, wheeled in, piped up, and turned on. Without disrupting major operations within the building, the Paycom Arena could now leverage Vicinity’s heating and cooling services for its facilities.
The following video provides more information about the installation process:
Flexible solutions for customers in downtown Oklahoma City
The Paycom Center plays an integral role in Oklahoma City. It’s home to a premier NBA franchise and is a popular venue for hosting live events. Vicinity Energy was chosen because of its flexibility and customizable solutions, allowing the City of Oklahoma City to make necessary improvements without jeopardizing critical operations.
The partnership between Vicinity Energy, FSB, United Mechanical, EEI, and Grundfos enabled the Paycom Center to quickly implement a reliable, flexible heating and cooling solution. By leveraging district energy and innovative equipment, the venue achieved significant cost savings while providing a comfortable guest experience for attendees.
Benefits
Maximized building space
Scalability & flexibility
99.99% reliability
Engineering Under Pressure: Grundfos’ Innovative Solution at the Paycom Center
When our customers at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City needed to transition hot and chilled water service to the new arena in time for the OKC Thunder season, Vicinity and our partners came together to manage this complex project.
This new case study from Grundfos highlights how the Oklahoma City Paycom Center is improving performance through a collaborative approach with Engineered Equipment Inc., FSB Architects + Engineers and Vicinity Energy.
Watch the full video to hear from Vicinity’s General Manager Todd Lewis on how the team ensured uninterrupted service while driving long-term reliability and efficiency for the arena.
Cities work because district energy works
Today, and every day, we’re paying tribute to those who put their hearts, minds, and backs into what they do for the good of our cities.
Together with our customers, partners, and community members, Vicinity Energy is building a stronger future for our cities, and district energy is part of that solution.
