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JFK Elementary Geothermal Project
Mayor Wu has announced a groundbreaking initiative to advance Boston’s municipal buildings toward carbon neutrality by 2040. The JFK Elementary School geothermal project exemplifies this vision, by upgrading municipal buildings with cutting-edge energy technology.
Key Benefits for the Community
- Carbon Neutrality Leadership:
- This project is a flagship effort toward electrifying Boston’s municipal building stock and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- It aligns with the City’s Climate Action Plan to mitigate climate change through sustainable infrastructure investments.
- Enhanced Learning Environment:
- Students and teachers will benefit from improved indoor air quality, modernized ventilation systems, and comfortable temperature control.
- Geothermal heating and cooling provide a quiet, efficient, and sustainable solution for temperature regulation year-round.
- Economic and Environmental Savings:
- The project’s Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) are designed to reduce utility costs while lowering the school’s carbon footprint.
- Energy-efficient upgrades to enhance long-term operational savings.
Project Highlights
- Geothermal Innovation:
A closed-loop geothermal heat pump system will replace traditional heating and cooling, marking JFK Elementary as a model for sustainable energy solutions in schools. - Comprehensive Energy Upgrades:
- Replacement of gas water heaters with electric heat pump systems.
- Advanced Building Management System (BMS) for efficient energy use.
Timeline
- Summer 2024: Test well drilling, initial vertical drilling, and geotechnical analysis.
- Summer 2025: Geothermal vertical well-drilling
- Summer 2026: Horizontal trenching, building controls upgrades, electrical upgrades, and indoor heat pump system integration.
