MAN Energy Solutions and Vicinity Unite to Decarbonize Boston with Landmark Heat Pump Project

MAN Energy Solutions and Vicinity Energy have officially partnered to advance urban decarbonization with a pioneering heat pump project in Boston. A signing ceremony brought together Kevin Hagerty, President and CEO of Vicinity Energy, and Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, to formalize this ambitious collaboration.

The partnership builds on an agreement announced in April 2023, in which Vicinity Energy and MAN Energy Solutions outlined plans to develop a low-temperature source heat pump system for steam generation in district energy applications. MAN Energy Solutions will supply a 35 MW industrial-scale steam heat pump to Vicinity’s Kendall Station facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The heat pump system will utilize proven technology to harness climate-neutral thermal energy from the Charles River. This innovative approach will replace fossil fuel-based systems, delivering high-pressure, decarbonized steam − branded as eSteam™ − to customers connected to Boston’s existing district energy network. By 2028, the river-source heat pump complex is expected to become the largest installation of its kind in the United States, solidifying its role as a model for clean energy innovation in urban environments.

A Vision for Decarbonized Cities

Kevin Hagerty, President and CEO of Vicinity Energy, said: “This marks an exciting milestone in advancing urban decarbonization through our continued partnership with MAN Energy Solutions to develop a 35 MW heat pump complex to produce eSteam™. The strong customer demand for carbon-free district energy reflects the urgency of transitioning to sustainable solutions. District energy electrification is an efficient, economic pathway to decarbonize cities, and this project represents a pivotal step toward that goal."

Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, added: “This collaboration embodies the future of sustainable energy. MAN Energy Solutions' mission to decarbonize industries’ CO₂ emissions perfectly aligns with Vicinity Energy’s vision for a cleaner, greener urban energy system. Together, we are setting new benchmarks for reducing CO₂ emissions in urban heating and advancing climate action in the United States.”

A Transformational Heat Pump Project

The partnership unites two organizations, each committed to addressing climate change by delivering innovative, sustainable energy solutions. Their combined efforts aim to set a new standard for decarbonization in the United States. This project not only redefines urban energy systems but also serves as a powerful statement about the potential for innovation and collaboration to drive decarbonization on a large scale.