About the Current Project

In 2019, Vermont Gas and Burlington Electric Department engaged Ever-Green to begin investigating options to advance the district energy system in Burlington by capturing waste heat at the McNeil Generating Station and sending it via steam to the University of Vermont Medical Center, and the University of Vermont campus. The system will also include a 10 MW electric boiler that will cost-effectively generate steam from renewable electricity when demand is low and there are excess renewables on the electric grid.

As Burlington Electric and Vermont Gas’s selected partner, Ever-Green performed an economic and technical feasibility study, which indicated the opportunity to implement this cost-effective district energy system program that advances Burlington’s energy initiative.

Ever-Green, with support from LHB Corporation and Hallam-ICS, refined the district energy system design, operational protocol, and updated cost estimate for a district energy system providing renewably-produced steam from the McNeil Generating Station to serve the University of Vermont Medical Center with thermal energy and make greenhouse gas reduction attributes available to the greater Burlington community.

The proposed solution has the potential to be a significant step toward reducing the emissions from fossil fuels and supporting the Net Zero initiative in Burlington.

Kicking off in early 2021, the finalized design and system implementation planning phase has included developing the district energy system business, securing all necessary permits and easements, developing a financing plan and schedule, finalizing detailed designs for the proposed district energy system, and supporting the partners’ discussions with key stakeholders. Ever-Green and project partners are working to finalize energy agreements to enable financing and finalization of system permitting.

Goals

• Utilize the available renewable energy/waste heat from the McNeil Biomass plant to reduce carbon emissions in Burlington
• Provide renewable energy in the form of steam to University of Vermont Medical Center for roughly 85% of its heating needs
• Create an opportunity for residents of Burlington to participate in this community-based carbon-free district energy system.
• Provide a system that will allow the City of Burlington’s facilities to offset most of their carbon emissions with Renewable Energy Attributes
• Advance the City of Burlington’s NetZero by 2030 goals and promote University of Vermont Medical Center as a national leader in innovative climate solutions
• Eliminates approximately 13,000 tons of CO2 annually, the equivalent of over 32 million passenger miles per year

Ever-Green’s Role

In 2010, Ever-Green Energy was initially selected to perform a feasibility analysis and implementation plan development, including examination of customer base, energy production options, and distribution routing options, all of which was completed 2014. During the study, Ever-Green analyzed the options for development and implementation of the system, market penetration and expansion, customer density, and available financial mechanisms.

Ever-Green has since partnered with Vermont Gas, Burlington Electric Department, and the University of Vermont Medical Center to study and advance a district energy solution for Burlington. Ever-Green completed a detailed engineering design, operational protocol, and final cost estimate for a district energy system providing steam produced from renewable fuel from the McNeil Generating Station. In 2022, Ever-Green formed the nonprofit district energy business that will fund and implement this renewable energy solution, and the business received 501c3 designation from the IRS in 2023. Ever-Green is currently working with project partners to finalize all remaining agreements to facilitate system financing.