Veolia Energy Expands its Baltimore Presence with District Cooling System Acquisition

Veolia Energy North America, a leading provider of sustainable energy services and facility operations and management solutions, is delighted to announce that it has purchased the Comfort Link district cooling system business. Comfort Link was previously a partnership of Baltimore Gas and Electric, a Constellation Energy subsidiary, and Monumental Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. One of the largest ice thermal storage systems in the country, Comfort Link serves 50 major customers, representing more than 11.5 million square feet. The acquisition will expand Veolia Energy's existing district energy (heating, cooling and cogeneration) operations in Baltimore, with 16 new buildings served.

Reflecting Veolia Energy's commitment to sustainable development, Comfort Link's cutting-edge ice thermal storage system reduces the number of required chillers and cooling towers, which makes it highly energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. In addition, Comfort Link works as an energy storage system, allowing Veolia Energy to produce thermal energy during off-peak periods, potentially saving money, and reducing the demand for electricity during peak hours. Veolia Energy will provide preventive maintenance and will continue to invest in the system to increase efficiency. Customers connected to the system include federal, state, and Baltimore City government buildings; entertainment and retail establishments; commercial office buildings; hotels; hospitals; and religious and other non-profit facilities.

The Comfort Link system delivers more than 32,000 tons of cooling capacity and approximately 40 million ton-hours of chilled water via an 11-mile distribution network. Founded in 1996, the system features four "networked" chilled-water production facilities. Veolia Energy anticipates future growth for Comfort Link as more buildings in the vicinity leverage the network as a cost-effective, highly-reliable and environmentally-responsible alternative to operating and maintaining their own thermal energy equipment.

Prior to the acquisition of Comfort Link, Veolia Energy provided centrally produced steam, hot water and chilled water to approximately 250 commercial, government, institutional and hospitality customers, and nearly 30 million square feet of space, in Baltimore's central business district, East Baltimore and Inner Harbor East areas.