Vicinity Energy Announces Bill DiCroce’s Passing of the Baton to Kevin Hagerty as the New CEO

Boston, MA, July 10, 2024—Vicinity Energy, a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Hagerty as the company’s new chief executive officer and president. Bill DiCroce has led Vicinity and its predecessors as CEO and president since 2012 and will stay on as executive chairman of Vicinity’s Board of Directors.

Bill DiCroce’s long tenure as CEO and president has been marked by significant accomplishments, shaping the district energy portfolio and driving transformative growth and efficiency for Vicinity. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its footprint, enhanced its technological capabilities, and solidified its position as a leader in the urban and campus clean energy sector. Bill’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in advancing Vicinity’s mission to provide sustainable and reliable energy solutions to its customers and communities.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Vicinity,” said Bill DiCroce, executive chairman of Vicinity. “Our adoption of cutting-edge clean energy technologies and our commitment to sustainability have set a strong foundation for the future. Kevin has been instrumental in driving our shift to electrification and will continue to lead our efforts to decarbonize our customers and operations.” 

Kevin Hagerty brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to his new role as CEO and president. With a proven track record of driving innovation and fostering growth, Kevin is poised to lead Vicinity into its next chapter. His vision for a clean energy future aligns perfectly with Vicinity’s commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions that decarbonize our customers and communities.

“I am honored to take on this new role and continue the essential work of decarbonizing and expanding Vicinity’s district energy business,” said Kevin Hagerty, CEO and president of Vicinity. “My focus will be accelerating our efforts to provide clean, efficient, and reliable energy solutions to drive the transition to a sustainable energy future. A prime example of our commitment is our recent partnership with Emerson College, where we are excited to support their sustainability goals through our innovative eSteam™ solution.”

As part of this vision, Vicinity is committed to electrifying its operations and expanding its innovative eSteam™ solution. By transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity sourced from renewable energy, Vicinity aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of its services. eSteam™, in particular, represents a groundbreaking approach to providing carbon-free steam for heating and cooling needs, further supporting customers in their journey toward decarbonization and compliance with building performance standards.

“Our electrification initiatives and district solutions are designed to decarbonize at a city-wide scale. Creating a sustainable energy future is a monumental task that we all share, and innovative solutions like Vicinity’s eSteam™ are crucial to addressing this challenge with the necessary scale and speed,” added Kevin Hagerty. “Vicinity is made up of an incredible team of people that I am proud to be a part of, and together, we will strive to do what is best for our customers, the cities we serve, and our planet.”

As Vicinity looks ahead, the company remains dedicated to its core mission of safety, sustainability, innovation, and community. With Kevin Hagerty at the helm and Bill DiCroce’s continued strategic involvement as executive chairman, Vicinity is well-positioned to lead the clean energy transition of urban cores and campuses.

About Vicinity Energy

Vicinity Energy is the largest owner and operator of district energy systems dedicated to decarbonizing its operations and investing in innovative renewable thermal energy technologies to offer carbon-free eSteam™ to its customers. Operating 19 district energy systems in 12 cities, Vicinity delivers reliable and sustainable steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 260 million square feet of building space nationwide. As Vicinity advances its electrification efforts across its locations, the goal to achieve net zero by 2050 is more than a commitment—it’s a mission. Learn more about Vicinity’s vision for a clean energy future at www.vicinityenergy.us.

Media Contact
Sara DeMille
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
media@vicinityenergy.us

With thermal energy tech, Emerson College aims to decarbonize 100% of its heating

Emerson College and Vicinity Energy Forge Groundbreaking eSteam™ Partnership to Revolutionize Campus Sustainability

Boston, MA, June 26, 2024—Vicinity Energy, a national decarbonization leader with an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States, announced a long-term renewal of its partnership with Emerson College, a leading higher education institution. This partnership establishes a new benchmark for campus sustainability, with Emerson becoming the first college to convert 100% of their heating operations by implementing Vicinity’s carbon-free thermal energy solution, eSteam™. This initiative advances Emerson’s pursuit of its carbon neutrality objectives in Boston, MA.

Located in the heart of Boston’s Theater District, Emerson College sets the standard for sustainability in higher education. The college’s expansive 1.5 million-square-foot campus will use Vicinity’s carbon-free eSteam™ for all its heating and hot water requirements, making Emerson’s thermal operations carbon-neutral. 

“This project marks a pivotal moment in Emerson College’s journey towards environmental responsibility and sustainability,” said Emerson President Jay M. Bernhardt.

Regularly ranked among the top 50 Green Colleges in the U.S., Emerson College has earned Gold status in the AASHE Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, which measures the sustainability performance of colleges and universities.

“We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Emerson College. With innovative technologies and solutions like eSteam™, we can offer a replicable model for higher education institutions to rapidly decarbonize. Together, we are leading by example, demonstrating the positive impacts of sustainable energy solutions on our communities and the environment,” said Kevin Hagerty, CEO and president of Vicinity Energy.

“This partnership sets a new standard for sustainability within urban higher education institutions, and we are proud to lead by example, demonstrating that significant, sustainable change is possible and necessary for the future,” said Jennifer Lamy, associate director of sustainability at Emerson.

This partnership further reinforces Emerson’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, building upon its reputation as a sustainability leader. The transition to eSteam™ is a significant stride toward this ambitious goal and will drive the entire Emerson campus toward carbon neutrality.

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 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 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

 

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Summer readiness checklist

As temperatures rise, it’s time to ensure HVAC systems are geared up for the summer heat to optimize building systems’ performance, conserve energy, and keep occupants comfortable.

Whether buildings use district chilled water or operate onsite chillers and cooling towers, regularly reviewing and implementing this guide ensures proactive building readiness for summer temperatures, helps maximize equipment lifespan, and improves overall energy efficiency.

Print out this summer preparedness checklist and review it every spring to prepare staff and equipment for the coming warm temperatures. Please note that the steps will vary depending on the equipment present onsite.

Contact your account manager to explore partnering with Vicinity’s operations and maintenance experts to assist with summer readiness, equipment upgrades, or preventative maintenance programs.

Vicinity leverages best practices at its central facilities to provide a smooth transition into the summer season. These protocols ensure safe, reliable, and consistent operation to prevent service disruptions for customers who leverage chilled water or steam for cooling purposes. Vicinity’s interconnected energy facilities offer 99.99% uptime energy delivery with resiliency through redundant power and fuel sources.

Vicinity’s summer preparedness includes extensive cooling tower and chiller inspection and cleaning at Vicinity’s central facilities that produce chilled water, including basin cleaning, sterilization to prevent bacteria growth, and oil inspections on gearboxes and fan belts. Vicinity also performs eddy current testing to detect leaks on chiller tubes and inspects refrigerant and oil samples. By taking these proactive steps, Vicinity delivers reliable customer service year-round and reduces the maintenance needed onsite at customers’ buildings.

eSteam™: a cost-effective, carbon-free renewable energy solution to decarbonize your commercial building

Commercial buildings represent the highest source of carbon emissions in major cities, making them one of the most important targets in urban decarbonization. eSteam™ is a unique solution that can address this challenge head-on and inexpensively decarbonize healthcare, life sciences, universities and commercial buildings with ease.

Accelerate decarbonization with eSteam™

Vicinity’s renewable thermal energy product will help you accelerate the decarbonization of your building and our communities. Our solution is turn-key. 

eSteam™ reduces the need for you to invest in new onsite energy infrastructure to meet your sustainability goals. By connecting to the district energy system, you eliminate the need to make significant investments to decarbonize your building’s thermal energy load—we’re doing that for you. Vicinity will leverage and build upon existing infrastructure, including our existing network of steam pipes, electric substations, and transmission lines, and deploy the capital needed to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions.

For our cities, Vicinity’s eSteam™ provides a way to cleanly heat and cool urban buildings—reducing the need for natural gas boilers that create unregulated gas stacks and unmonitored carbon emissions—improving overall air quality in neighborhoods.

eSteam™ is the first renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States, offering maximum flexibility and superior environmental benefits.

eSteam™ benefits:

  • Carbon-free – eSteam™ is carbon-free, so you can meet your sustainability goals and avoid looming carbon taxes.
  • Total flexibility – You nominate how much eSteam™ you want annually and select the renewable electricity source to generate your eSteam™ based on your budget and sustainability objectives.
  • Affordability – eSteam™ is the most cost-effective, affordable option to green your building compared to alternatives, like electric boilers in your building. Vicinity’s access to transmission level rates gives district energy an economic advantage over onsite equipment.
  • Avoid carbon fees and fines – Many cities in the U.S. have implemented or are considering laws that will lower greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Oftentimes, these policies will carry hefty fines for non-compliance. eSteam™ is guaranteed carbon- free, giving you peace of mind that your building will be green, without costing you more green.
  • Maximum reliability and resiliency – Join the many customers who choose Vicinity’s district energy heating and cooling products for maximum reliability and resiliency.
  • Low capital investments – To access the benefits of eSteam™, you don’t need to invest in costly capital projects and you can avoid expensive building retrofits. Decarbonize your thermal energy footprint by simply connecting to Vicinity’s district energy network.
  • Certifications – Gain potential points for LEED® and ENERGY STAR® certifications to demonstrate your buildings’ commitment to sustainability.

Customers benefit from carbon-free eSteam™ generated with renewable electricity.

How eSteam™ works

By installing electric boilers at our central facilities and procuring renewable power from the grid, we can offer carbon-free steam to meet your buildings’ thermal energy needs. Vicinity can purchase renewable power on your behalf—such as wind, solar and hydro—at transmission level rates, allowing us to keep your costs down.

Coupled with other technologies like industrial-scale heat pumps and thermal storage, our goal is to offer you the most affordable, flexible thermal energy product that lowers carbon footprints, improves air quality and meets sustainability goals.

Vicinity’s eSteam™ is the first renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States, offering you maximum flexibility and superior environmental benefits.

Lock in with eSteam™ today to decarbonize your buildings and avoid looming carbon fees. To learn more about eSteam™ email our energy experts at info@vicinityenergy.us.

Pumps & Systems podcast: Heat pumps & decarbonization

In this episode of the Pumps & Systems podcast, Bill DiCroce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vicinity Energy discussed the role heat pumps can play in decarbonization, as well as the efforts cities like Boston are currently making to strive for sustainability and an eventual goal of net zero carbon emissions.