This short video published by the International District Energy Association showcases the important role district energy plays in a clean energy future, through job creation, cutting carbon emissions and enhancing resiliency.
Industry: Government
Vicinity Energy Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Grand Rapids with Purchase of Carbon Offsets
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 18, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, owner and operator of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces that it has purchased carbon offsets for its Grand Rapids district energy operations offsetting carbon emissions in the City by 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period.
Vicinity Energy supplies space heating and cooling, domestic hot and chilled water, humidification, and sterilization to over 100 facilities located in downtown Grand Rapids. Through its efficient district energy operations, Vicinity currently reduces greenhouse gas emissions in Grand Rapids by 11,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 2,400 cars from the road. The purchase of carbon offsets will allow Vicinity to further support the sustainability efforts of the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids 2030 District Plan, offsetting carbon emissions by an additional 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period, without any additional cost to customers.
“The City of Grand Rapids and building owners in downtown Grand Rapids have received low-carbon energy from our district network for over a century, and this purchase of carbon offsets reinforces our commitment to the City and our entire Grand Rapids customer base in delivering thermal energy that is both reliable and sustainable,” said JJ Loew, Vicinity Energy general manager in Grand Rapids. “We’re proud to continue our greening efforts alongside the City and all our customers to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience in our community, so that future generations may thrive here for years to come.”
“Sustainability is one of the City’s core values. Since 2008, the City has reduced our carbon emissions by 30%, which exceeds the 26-28% Paris Climate Accord target for 2025, and we remain committed to further reducing carbon emissions,” said Alison Waske Sutter, Grand Rapids’ sustainability and performance management officer. “Vicinity’s purchase of carbon offsets supports our mutual goals to continue measurable progress toward reducing carbon emissions for both our city government operations and community in order to achieve the 2030 District’s target of net zero carbon by 2050.”
This milestone in Grand Rapids marks another key step forward for Vicinity in its efforts to further green its district energy systems nationwide, including its recent purchase of carbon-free electricity in Baltimore and the integration of renewable biogenic fuel into its energy mix. Together, these actions bring Vicinity closer to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
Vicinity Energy Moves Closer Toward Net Zero Carbon Goal in Baltimore with Shift to 100% Carbon-Free Electricity
BALTIMORE, June 22, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, Vicinity Energy, owner of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces that all the electricity the company purchases for its Baltimore District operations is now carbon-free. Vicinity has entered into an agreement with Constellation, a leading competitive energy provider, to purchase Emission-Free Energy Certificates (EFECs) to match 100% of its annual Baltimore electricity use starting this year.
Vicinity Energy centrally produces and distributes steam, hot water and chilled water to over 30 million square feet of building space in Baltimore. Through a long-term supply agreement, over 50% of the steam delivered to customers is derived from zero-carbon non-fossil fuel-based renewables. This has already resulted in greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the region by 30,000 tons annually, or the equivalent of removing about 11,000 cars from Baltimore’s roads every year.
Now, the company has transitioned to purchasing 100% carbon-free electricity to run its heating and cooling operations in the city. This change is expected to eliminate approximately 6,500 metric tons of carbon emissions associated with the company’s electricity use annually, the equivalent of taking 1,415 cars off the road per year.
EFECs represent the emissions-free attributes of generating sources that do not directly emit greenhouse gases, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, or carbon dioxide. The EFECs purchased by Vicinity Energy are sourced from facilities located in the PJM Interconnection. The generation source does not emit carbon dioxide into the environment. EFECs are tracked and reported through PJM Environmental Information Services’ Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS).
“Simply put, we can now purchase electricity generated without fossil fuels to run our Baltimore operations,” said Bill DiCroce, president and CEO of Vicinity Energy. “We have been able to source our electricity from emissions-free sources. As we enter Baltimore’s famously hot summers, this will have a significant beneficial impact on our cooling operations; slashing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and moving us tangibly toward our overall goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions across our entire business by 2050. We’re privileged to keep Baltimore residents cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and with this milestone, we can do it in an even cleaner, greener way.” “Constellation is pleased to support the sustainability goals of our customers,” said Daniel J. Verbanac, senior vice president, retail, for Constellation. “Voluntarily matching electricity supply requirements with a carbon-free power generation source encourages the use of clean, emission-free fuels, and demonstrates a commitment to the environment.”
This announcement comes on the heels of several other recent moves by Vicinity Energy to green its district energy systems, including the incorporation of renewable biogenic heating oil, as it continues on its path to net zero carbon emissions.
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 230 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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
Green Ribbon Commission Climate Action Exchange
Decarbonizing Boston’s district energy systems
On May 6, 2021, the Green Ribbon Commission hosted a virtual event to explore potential decarbonization pathways for Boston’s district energy systems, key challenges and opportunities, and how the State, City and large customers can be partners in supporting those pathways.
As owner and operator of one of the largest of these district energy systems in Boston, Vicinity is actively working to achieve 2050 carbon neutrality alongside the City. In this video clip, panelist Bill DiCroce, President and CEO of Vicinity Energy discusses Vicinity’s roadmap to decarbonization and how the company is partnering with the City to achieve a net zero carbon future.
Vicinity Energy Implements Renewable Biogenic Heating Oil, Transforming Food Waste into Energy and Creating Jobs
PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, owner of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces it has signed a long-term fuel supply agreement with Lifecycle Renewables, a Boston-based firm that produces LR100™, a unique biogenic fuel derived from waste vegetable oil and fats discarded by the food service industry. The partnership will provide Vicinity with expanded access to this clean, renewable fuel to replace conventional fossil fuel oil in its district energy facilities, a milestone in the company’s roadmap to reach net zero carbon by 2050. The partnership also enables the immediate expansion of Lifecycle’s operations in Philadelphia, creating local jobs and supporting economic growth.
Vicinity Energy centrally produces and distributes steam, hot water and chilled water to over 230 million square feet (nearly eight square miles) of building space nationwide. Now, in partnership with Lifecycle Renewables, Vicinity will begin to integrate LR100™ across each of its facilities over time. Permits have already been acquired and the biogenic fuel tested in Philadelphia, with implementation in Boston on the immediate horizon and other districts to follow. A truly circular solution, the wastes discarded by the local food service industry will now be used to heat and cool businesses and institutions in the same city.
The benefits of transitioning to LR100™ include:
- Significantly reducing Vicinity’s distillate fuel use, cutting carbon emissions by 12,200 tons, or the equivalent of removing 2,650 cars from Philadelphia’s roads each year
- Recycling 600,000 gallons of food service industry waste oil (the average person consumes approximately 1.5 gallons of oil a year) into energy, that would otherwise be discarded in landfills or city sewers
- Expanding Lifecycle Renewables’ operations in Philadelphia, resulting in job creation, recycling programs and cost savings for local restaurants, and sustainability benefits for the community
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% versus distillate fuel, improving local air quality through reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate emissions compared to traditional heavy fuel oils
“Vicinity is excited to partner with Lifecycle Renewables to accelerate our shared mission to reduce the carbon footprint of the communities we serve and deliver sustainable, local and circular energy solutions to our customers in support of nationwide carbon reduction goals,” said Bill DiCroce, president and CEO of Vicinity Energy. “Lifecycle Renewables has a proven record of delivering renewable heating oil that aligns with our Clean Energy Future roadmap, and we’re proud to move forward with this biogenic fuel supply agreement to support a cleaner, healthier environment.”
“We chose to partner with Vicinity because they are the most forward-thinking district energy company in the nation,” said Rory Gaunt, president and CEO of Lifecycle Renewables. “Their ambitious march towards net zero carbon emissions provides Lifecycle Renewables an opportunity to have a positive environmental impact on hundreds of millions of square feet of building space where our fellow Americans live, work, and play. We look forward to growing our partnership in response to Vicinity’s increased demand for our renewable fuel. Our team is energized by the opportunity to supply renewable heating oil to Vicinity, as they continue on the path to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
About Lifecycle Renewables
Lifecycle Renewables is an integrated food waste recycling and renewable fuels company. Using recycled waste oils and fats from the food service industry, Lifecycle Renewables produces LR100™, a renewable heating oil. LR100™ is a drop-in fuel for oil-capable facilities that competitively replaces fossil fuels. Environmental authorities consider LR100™ to be carbon-neutral, and users of the fuel realize significant emissions reductions. With focus on providing the highest quality service to our restaurant and food-production partners, Lifecycle Renewables seeks to create closed-loop waste-to-energy solutions for cities across America. Lifecycle Renewables is now serving restaurants in New England, Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Learn more at: lifecyclerenewables.com
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 230 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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
Vicinity Energy Provides Green Steam to Walters Art Museum Under New 20-Year Contract, Delivering Heat and Precise Humidification to Historic Buildings and Artifacts
BALTIMORE, March 3, 2021 – Vicinity Energy, owner of the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, announces a 20-year steam contract with Walters Art Museum to provide heating and humidification to the landmark Baltimore facility, which encompasses 70,000 square feet of space. With 50 percent of its steam generated from renewables, the district energy system will deliver high-pressure sustainable steam for the museum, replacing the facility’s current boiler setup.
Walters Art Museum will receive approximately 12,000 pounds of steam per hour (pph), replacing its traditional boiler system and transitioning its two existing functional boilers to provide back-up energy as needed. Vicinity is funding the connection to the district system, resulting in zero up-front capital costs to the museum, enabling Walters to reallocate capital funds to support exhibits and other core offerings. Completion of the project is anticipated by April 2021.
“In order to preserve the historic artifacts housed in the Walters Art Museum, our buildings must meet precise humidification requirements. The reliability of district energy, in addition to its ability to meet the specifications of the museum’s exhibitions while also reducing our carbon footprint, makes Vicinity an excellent solution for Walters’s energy needs,” said Julia Marciari-Alexander, who serves as the Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director.
In addition to providing the museum with steam, Vicinity Energy has committed to a long-term 20-year sponsorship of the Walters – underscoring Vicinity’s commitment to the city of Baltimore, its cultural artifacts, history and communities. Currently, Vicinity provides low-carbon district energy to 30 million square feet of buildings in Baltimore, reducing the region’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by 30,000 tons. As Vicinity advances its net zero carbon plan across all its operations, customers will continue to receive greener energy solutions as a result.
“Through renewable energy use and ongoing greening efforts, Vicinity’s district energy system provides immense opportunity to deliver greener, more reliable energy alternatives to Baltimore facilities, while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint,” said Bill DiCroce, president and CEO of Vicinity Energy. “We’re proud to be the long-term energy partner of such an important Baltimore institution as the Walters Art Museum and deliver reliable heating and the humidification required to preserve the city’s precious cultural artifacts.”
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 230 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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
A high energy conversation with Bill DiCroce
Dynamic districts, January 2021
by Energy Cast | Episode 105
In this episode of Energy Cast, host Jay Dauenhauer sits down with CEO, president and chairman Bill DiCroce from Vicinity Energy. Bill shares his thoughts on district energy networks, underscoring Vicinity’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and how the company and district energy is uniquely positioned to rapidly expand and deploy renewable strategies and energy sources to local cities and communities.
About Energy Cast
Energy cast is a podcast about the energy sector, with particular focus on business, policy and economic issues. Hosted by Jay Dauenhauer, each episode examines a facet of the energy sector – coal, oil/gas, nuclear, biofuels, battery, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, and fusion – and the opportunities and challenges of bringing these technologies to the energy mix. As host of the Energy Cast Podcast for the past four years, Jay Dauenhauer, CSM, PMP, has an extensive energy background, including previously serving as a media analyst for TXU Energy and Executive Director of the Clean Coal Technology Foundation of Texas, working with stakeholders to pass clean energy legislation for the state.
Vicinity Energy celebrates Earth Day in Philadelphia
In celebration of Earth Day, Vicinity’s Philadelphia team joined with ACV Enviro for the Schuylkill River Bank clean up. The team spent the day removing a cubic yard of aerosol cans for safe disposal and filled an entire dumpster with trash! The Schuylkill River is used for recreation and is a source of drinking water in Philadelphia, in addition to being an important habitat for wildlife. As a local environmental company in Philadelphia, Vicinity organized this clean-up event because we feel strongly that it is our collective responsibility to keep our cities green.
Vicinity Energy acquires central energy plant serving historic Watergate Complex in Washington D.C.
BOSTON, June 17, 2020 – Vicinity Energy announced today that it has acquired the district energy system serving the historic Watergate Complex in Washington D.C. and taken over operations as of February 1st 2020. The acquisition is the first for the company under its new ownership, making Washington D.C. the eleventh major city served by Vicinity. This brings Vicinity’s portfolio to a total of eighteen district energy networks. It comes on the heels of Washington, D.C. passing the most ambitious clean energy law in the country.
Positioned in the city’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, the Watergate Energy Collaborative Utility serves a group of six buildings with high pressure steam and chilled water. Vicinity will own and manage the energy operations on the mixed-used campus, providing heating and cooling under six separate 25-year energy service agreements.
Vicinity has committed to invest over $11 million in the plant and distribution system to improve efficiency, reliability and sustainability. The company will convert the plant’s 55-year-old steam heating system to high efficiency hot water, complete efficiency upgrades to the chilled water system, and install 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.
“We are proud to serve as the new owner and operator of the central utility plant for this important piece of the city’s history and look forward to working with the Watergate community on delivering the highest quality, and most resilient and sustainable energy services possible,” said Bill DiCroce, president and chief executive officer of Vicinity Energy. “In addition to ensuring building occupant comfort, state-of-the-art, efficient energy systems are important for the long-term viability of historic campuses like the Watergate Complex.”
The Watergate Complex has long been one of Washington’s most desirable locations to live and work. Adjacent to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Potomac River, the complex includes cooperative apartments, a hotel and two office buildings. The complex’s central utility plant, built in 1964 and enlarged in 1967, supplies steam and chilled water to more than 1.8+ million square feet of building space.
“The city’s recent clean energy law creates increased incentives for building owners to seek out innovative service providers to partner with and – in the case of the Watergate complex – invest in the facility’s immediate infrastructure needs and long-term viability,” said Kirk Betts, principal with Betts & Holt, LLP and representative for the Watergate Complex. “We know that with Vicinity Energy at the helm of Watergate Energy Collaborative Utility, these buildings will become more resilient and energy efficient, both in the near-term and well into the future.”
The Watergate acquisition is in line with Vicinity’s growth strategy to acquire and invest in district energy systems across the United States. The acquisition broadens Vicinity’s presence in an important market and expands the company’s operations and remote monitoring services at its state-of-the-art operations center in nearby Baltimore.
Vicinity Energy currently supplies district energy and related services to more than 200 million square feet of building space, with its largest networks located in downtown Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and Kansas City. Through its ownership and operation of over 400 megawatts (MW) of combined heat and power (CHP) production, Vicinity is the greener alternative, owning and operating some of the most efficient large generators within their respective energy grids.
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 230 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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
Vicinity Energy is Now the Largest Provider of District Energy Solutions in North America
BOSTON, Massachusetts – Antin Infrastructure Partners has, today, finalized its purchase of Veolia North America’s district energy assets in the United States. Now officially named Vicinity Energy, the district energy business is comprised of steam, hot and chilled water and electricity production plants, including cogeneration, across 13 networks in 10 major cities. As its first big energy acquisition in the U.S., Antin, a global infrastructure fund, has expanded its presence in the district energy market to own the largest platform in North America.
With over 50+ years in the district energy business, Vicinity Energy may have a new name and brand, but its current leadership team and experienced engineers, operators and energy experts will largely remain the same as part of the terms of the sale. With the financial backing of Antin, Vicinity is poised for growth while continuing to deliver upon its commitment to customers: to safely meet their mission-critical energy needs by providing cutting-edge technical expertise, dedicated personal service, infrastructure and investments so they’re able to focus resources and capital on achieving their core business objectives.
“In a carbon-neutral future, growth will be determined by the kinds of energy partners whose expertise can enable local governments, companies and institutions alike to meet their sustainability goals, while also ensuring the vitality and resilience of energy infrastructure in a savvy and customized way,” said William DiCroce, president and chief executive officer of Vicinity Energy. “Through our employees’ unmatched engineering, operations and technological expertise, Vicinity will continue to advance sophisticated technologies and energy services that meet our customers’ needs in today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, while ensuring that they have the reliable, cost-effective, resilient and environmentally responsible energy they need to thrive.”
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 230 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
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
