Boston-Cambridge Sustainable Energy Project Commemorated
The “Green Steam” project advances environmental goals and enhances economic competitiveness –– avoiding 475,000 tons of carbon/year, equal to removing 80,000 cars.
Veolia North America commemorated the $112 million investment in its Boston-Cambridge district energy network. The “Green Steam” project, which includes the completion of a 7,000-foot steam pipeline extension and planned reconfiguration of the recently acquired Kendall Station combined heat and power plant, allows Veolia to export more environmentally friendly thermal energy from Kendall Station –– minimizing environmental impact to the Charles River and reducing the carbon footprint of Boston and Cambridge. Veolia’s investments will bring multiple benefits to energy consumers by increasing capacity, reliability and overall system efficiency.
“Green Steam” is an innovative environmental solution that captures and reuses heat that was previously lost to the environment. The increased efficiency reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 475,000 tons annually, the equivalent of removing 80,000 cars annually from the road and is directly responsible for nearly 6 percent reduction of non-transportation carbon emissions for both cities. Additionally, “Green Steam” infrastructure improvements support sustainable development in Boston and Cambridge by increasing the LEED ratings of buildings that tie into the system.
“The City of Boston has been making great strides in creating a green city, which is possible through the dedication and help of Boston’s residents, businesses, and institutions,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Veolia has been a strong and loyal partner with the City and the completion of this project marks an important step forward in attaining our Greenovate Boston goal of reducing Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.”
Some of the benefits of Veolia’s new steam pipeline connection and planned reconfiguration of Kendall Station include: supports sustainable development of Boston and Cambridge by reducing the cities of Boston and Cambridge greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding 475,000 tons of carbon per year; created green jobs; represents a $112 million investment by Veolia and its partners into improving the Boston-Cambridge system; reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 475,000 tons annually; eliminates thermal pollution from the Charles River ecosystem; and improves air quality by utilizing cleaner burning, domestically available fuel sources.
“I applaud Veolia and their partners for this investment, which is a win-win for both the environment and the economy,” said Cambridge Mayor David P. Maher. “This investment helps stimulate economic growth within our vital business and university facilities. The ‘Green Steam’ project will deliver higher efficiency and a lower carbon footprint – a combination that will benefit Veolia’s Cambridge and Boston customers.”
“The Boston-Cambridge ‘Green Steam’ connection is an innovative environmental solution that benefits the environment and the economy. Only a handful of cities in the U.S. have the unique opportunity to implement this type of solution combining existing district energy piping networks with innovative combined heat and power technology,” said Bill DiCroce, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Veolia North America’s Municipal and Commercial Business.
“A project such as this one combines the best of public support with private investment for one common cause – a more sustainable community. Today, we recognize the leadership of individual community members, local and state government, regulatory agencies and environmental conservancy organizations in support of these investments and the sustainable development of Boston and Cambridge.”
In Boston and Cambridge, Veolia’s district energy networks meet the critical energy requirements of 250 customers in the central business district of Boston, the biotechnology corridor of Cambridge, and the Longwood Medical Area. Veolia’s 256-megawatt cogeneration / combined heat and power (CHP) facility efficiently recycles the heat from its power generation process into useful thermal energy. Customers include major hospitals (and in Boston, Veolia serves every major one), biotech R&D facilities, data centers, office towers (including 70 percent of Boston’s high-rise buildings), colleges and universities, and several regional icons (the New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, City Hall, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Prudential Building).