Tag: Boston
Viewpoint: ‘eSteam’ offers buildings a renewable energy alternative
A new energy source for downtown Boston: the Charles River
Vicinity Energy Employees Celebrate Earth Day Volunteering in Cambridge
To Balance Sustainability And Business Mandates, Commercial Buildings Find Relief In District Energy
Vicinity Energy and MAN Energy Solutions Partner to Install Industrial-Scale Heat Pump
Boston, MA, April 5, 2023 – Vicinity Energy, a national decarbonization leader with an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States, announced its partnership with Augsburg, Germany-based MAN Energy Solutions to collaborate in the development of low-temperature source heat pump systems for steam generation. Vicinity plans to install an industrial-scale heat pump complex at its Kendall Station facility by 2026.
“Vicinity’s first heat pump complex in Cambridge, MA, which draws from proven examples in Europe, will be the largest in the U.S. It will be powered by renewable electricity to safely and efficiently harvest energy from the Charles River, returning it at a lower temperature,” says Bill DiCroce, president and CEO of Vicinity Energy. “We have made a lot of progress harvesting the energy of the sun and wind, MAN’s cutting-edge technology will now enable Vicinity to renewably harvest energy at scale from rivers and oceans, which are presently warming from the effects of climate change. This is a big deal in district energy’s efforts to decarbonize cities, and Vicinity is very proud to lead the way with MAN in this exciting venture.”
“The heating sector accounts for 30-40 percent of global CO2 emissions. The global energy transition cannot succeed without decarbonizing heat,” says Uwe Lauber, CEO and CSO of MAN Energy Solutions. “At the same time, district heating systems are one of the most efficient and sustainable ways to provide heat to commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Hence the task is to reduce district heating systems’ dependence on fossil fuel-fired heat sources. Our heat pump technology can do that, with many examples in the European field to prove it. I am very happy to collaborate with Vicinity Energy on the application of our technology to support Vicinity’s impressive district energy system.”
The race to net zero
This announcement represents another significant step in Vicinity’s plans to electrify its operations to achieve net zero. In 2022, the company kicked off its electrification strategy by deconstructing a steam turbine at its Kendall Facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In its place, Vicinity is installing an electric boiler that will begin supplying carbon-free eSteam™ to customers in 2024.
The company’s other 11 locations in major cities nationwide will undergo similar electrification processes in the coming years to achieve its goal of net zero by 2050.
About MAN Energy
MAN Energy Solutions enables its customers to achieve sustainable value creation in the transition toward a carbon neutral future. Addressing tomorrow’s challenges within the marine, energy, and industrial sectors, we improve efficiency and performance at a systemic level. Leading the way in advanced engineering for more than 250 years, we provide a unique portfolio of technologies. Headquartered in Germany, MAN Energy Solutions employs some 14,000 people at over 120 sites globally. Our after-sales brand, MAN PrimeServ, offers a vast network of service centers to our customers all over the world.
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 Contacts
MAN Energy
Jan Hoppe
+49 821 322 3126
jan.hoppe@man-es.com
Vicinity Energy
Sara DeMille
Marketing and Communications
857-955-5073
sara.demille@vicinityenergy.us
Spotlight On: Jaclyn Bliss, Chief Customer Officer, Vicinity Energy
Boston company is helping create carbon-neutral buildings in Fenway
Vicinity Energy Announces Partnership with IQHQ to Power Fully Carbon-Neutral Development in Fenway
Vicinity Energy Announces Partnership with IQHQ to Power Fully Carbon-Neutral Development in Fenway
Boston, February 8, 2023- Vicinity Energy, a national decarbonization leader with an extensive portfolio of district energy systems across the United States, announced a long-term partnership with IQHQ, Inc., a premier life sciences real estate development company focused on leadership in sustainability. Vicinity will provide eSteam™, its new carbon-free, renewable thermal energy offering to IQHQ to rapidly decarbonize IQHQ’s developments in the Fenway neighborhood district.
Under the agreement, IQHQ’s development at 109 Brookline Avenue will use 100% eSteam™ for heating—making it one of Boston’s first entirely carbon-neutral buildings. The 305,000-square-foot office and laboratory space is part of IQHQ’s FWD district, a growing life science cluster connecting Kenmore Square with the Longwood Medical Academic Area.
IQHQ is also pursuing eSteam™ at its Fenway Center development, a mixed-use, transit-oriented life science campus located at the western gateway to Boston. Fenway Center will include nearly 1 million square feet of commercial office and lab space built over the Mass Pike, and will become the anchor of IQHQ’s FWD district.
Vicinity will begin delivering carbon-free eSteam™ in 2024.
“At IQHQ, we have a commitment to developing class-A life science districts that provide our tenant, visitors, and communities at large with healthy, resilient, and responsible spaces,” said Jenny Whitson, Director, Sustainability & ESG for IQHQ. “We are excited to partner with Vicinity Energy to decarbonize the steam serving our projects.”
Vicinity’s expansion into Boston’s Fenway neighborhood marks a significant milestone in Vicinity’s Clean Energy Future plans, and paves the way for more building owners and property managers to leverage eSteam™ for rapid building decarbonization to combat climate change and meet sustainability goals.
Vicinity is the first district energy company in the U.S. to commit to fully decarbonizing its operations, offering renewable thermal energy by installing electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage at its central facilities starting in Boston and Cambridge, with its other districts to follow. eSteam™ is the nation’s first 100% carbon-free renewable energy product, providing a one-stop-shop for Greater Boston businesses and institutions grappling with enforceable emissions performance standards and cities tackling the highest source of emissions.
“We are proud to partner with IQHQ as our first carbon-free eSteam™ customer to reduce their buildings’ carbon emissions and enable IQHQ to achieve their ESG goals while complying with the city’s BERDO 2.0 regulations,” said Bill DiCroce, president and chief executive officer of Vicinity Energy. “This eSteam partnership not only signifies our commitment to a clean energy future, but it also demonstrates the commitment from progressive, innovative industry leaders, like IQHQ, who are committed to lower carbon emissions and to combat climate change.”
Click here to read more about Vicinity’s district energy systems and its commitment to innovation and the environment.
About IQHQ
IQHQ is giving progress a home, empowering the life science community to thrive and succeed by creating and developing districts that inspire innovation and drive progress and growth. IQHQ’s focus is to acquire, develop, and operate sustainable transformational life science districts in the innovation hubs of San Francisco, San Diego, and Boston in the United States, and the United Kingdom. IQHQ has offices in San Diego, Boston and the UK. To learn more, visit iqhqreit.com or follow us on Linkedin or Instagram.
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
