Vicinity Energy Recognized with Gold Award for District Energy Growth in Boston and Cambridge

Vicinity Energy, the nation's largest owner and operator of district energy systems, was recently recognized by the International District Energy Association (IDEA) with a Gold Award for building area committed and total square footage committed to its Boston and Cambridge district energy system.

The award was presented at IDEA2026, the association's 117th Annual Conference & Trade Show, held June 23-26 in Ottawa, Canada. Vicinity Chief Development Officer Brian Mueller accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Founded in 1909, IDEA represents nearly 3,000 members across more than 30 countries and serves as the leading industry association for district energy professionals. This year's conference -- "Connecting Networks" -- brought together energy leaders from around the world to discuss decarbonization, system integration, energy resilience, and thermal network innovation.

Vicinity also participated in the conference's North American industry plenary panel, where CEO Kevin Hagerty joined industry leaders in a discussion on market trends, decarbonization, and the future of integrated energy networks.

Based in Boston, Vicinity operates one of the nation's largest district energy networks, serving more than 240 buildings through approximately 29 miles of underground pipe infrastructure across Greater Boston and Cambridge. The system provides reliable, resilient, and sustainable thermal energy to many of the region's leading hospitals, universities, commercial properties, and institutions.

Vicinity's district energy systems help avoid more than 97,000 tons of local carbon emissions annually. The company has also advanced building decarbonization efforts through innovations such as its electric powered boiler at the Kendall facility in Cambridge, which produces eSteam, a carbon-free thermal energy solution that helps customers meet their sustainability goals.

The Gold Award recognizes the continued growth of Vicinity's district energy network and the increasing adoption of district energy solutions across Boston and Cambridge as organizations seek reliable, cost-effective, and lower-carbon energy infrastructure. 

Vicinity Energy | https://www.vicinityenergy.us/