Cooling – Vicinity’s district chilled water connects with simple heat exchangers to tenant fan coils, which eliminates the need for complex and large chillers and cooling towers.
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By designing its heating and cooling needs around district energy, the building was able to free up space for unique tenant amenities, while also leveraging an energy source which is helping to reduce Kansas City’s carbon footprint by nearly 33,000 tons annually. The owners of the newly renovated Flashcube saved significant upfront capital costs and reduced long-term maintenance expenses. Steam is also used as a snow melt system for building entryways and walkways. Additionally, the condensate from the steam pre-heats domestic hot water, and is then recycled as grey water to supply the building’s toilets. By choosing district energy and forgoing onsite chillers or boilers, Flashcube’s new owners saw a substantial reduction in electrical infrastructure costs, while gaining the benefit of 99.999% reliability. Powered by a highly efficient energy process called combined heat and power (CHP), district energy naturally aligned with Flashcube’s sustainability goals due to CHP’s high efficiency of up to 80%. Under the streets of downtown Kansas City, Vicinity operates a robust district energy network of steam and chilled water pipes serving the heating, cooling, humidification and sterilization needs of buildings. Additionally, a metering system was required to measure individual energy use, allowing tenants control of their carbon footprint and energy expenses. This challenge became an opportunity to explore various options, and reimagine a more sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective heating/ cooling system. ChallengeĪfter sitting vacant for over 15 years, the new owners of Flashcube were faced with antiquated onsite boilers and chillers. This has resulted in efficiency and reliability improvements, sustainability benefits, lower operating costs, significant upfront capital cost savings and better allocation and cost-recovery of tenant energy use. The new owners of this historic landmark opted to switch from boilers and chillers to Vicinity’s district energy system, while also implementing a sub-metering and tenant billing solution with Vicinity’s support. With its abstract reflective square glass walls, the Flashcube Apartments opened in 2020, after an extensive rehabilitation. Originally served by boilers and chillers, the building was converted to Vicinity’s robust district energy system for its’ heating, cooling and domestic hot water needs. Adjacent to the KC Streetcar and within walking distance of the Power and Light District, the iconic but vacant Executive Plaza building was purchased and transformed into the luxury apartments, Flashcube.
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