Vicinity Energy, a decarbonization leader with the nation’s largest portfolio of district energy systems, has been recognized by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to innovation in the launch of eSteam™, the first renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States.

Each year, the Visionary Awards recognize innovators from the business, institutional, and non-profit communities who are creating change in Cambridge and beyond. This year’s fellow award recipients include Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Astellas Pharma, the Broad Institute, The Loop Lab, Philips, and Sarepta Therapeutics.

With a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Vicinity is electrifying its district energy systems, starting in Boston and Cambridge, with other locations to follow. The company’s multi-pronged decarbonization and electrification plan includes installing innovative technologies such as electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage. Vicinity announced the launch of eSteam™, the first-ever carbon-free thermal energy product powered by renewable energy, as a key part of this strategy.

“Vicinity's work to decarbonize its customers, operations, and communities by electrifying steam generation truly embodies the Visionary spirit," stated David Maher, president and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. "We are proud to present the Visionary Award to Vicinity for the development of eSteam™, a renewable carbon-free product that will be critical to helping businesses decarbonize their operations in Boston and Cambridge."

“At IQHQ, we are developing transformative science districts across Boston that will leverage e-steam from Vicinity Energy to meet the needs of our life science tenants and our organization’s sustainability goals,” said Will Ashton, senior director of development for IQHQ. “We are excited to have partnered with Vicinity to decarbonize the steam serving our projects with renewable energy options that comply with the City’s BERDO 2.0 regulations.

“This is an exceptional recognition of eSteam™, our renewable carbon-free product,” said Kevin Hagerty, president and deputy chief executive officer of Vicinity Energy. “The Chamber’s Visionary award solidifies our commitment to a clean energy future and demonstrates our team’s commitment to helping our innovative customers like IQHQ lower carbon emissions and combat climate change.”

The race to net zero

In November of 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 eSteam™ to customers in 2024.

In April 2023, Vicinity took another crucial step forward, announcing its partnership with Augsburg, Germany-based MAN Energy Solutions to collaborate in engineering 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 2027.

The company’s other 10 locations will undergo similar electrification processes in the coming years to achieve its operations goal of net zero by 2050.

About Vicinity Energy

Vicinity Energy is a clean energy company that owns and operates the nation’s most extensive portfolio of district energy systems. Vicinity produces and distributes reliable, clean steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 230 million square feet of building space nationwide. Vicinity is committed to achieving net zero carbon across its portfolio by 2050. Vicinity continuously invests in its infrastructure and the latest technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial and institutional buildings in city centers. For more information about Vicinity’s Clean Energy Future commitment, visit www.vicinityenergy.us.

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