Achieving Net-Zero for 555 Huntington Avenue

Addressing carbon emissions is crucial for sustainability in academic institutions. Wentworth Institute of Technology, a private university in Boston Massachusetts, is committed to aligning with Boston’s emissions standards and achieving Net-Zero status, where a building’s carbon emissions are neutral. This paper focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy, as removing carbon is often more costly than reducing emissions at the source. This paper contributes to campus sustainability goals while complying with the Boston Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO), which demands significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This research aims to explore strategies for emission and energy consumption reduction by designing a geothermal system and eliminating boilers for heating and cooling. Simulations and analyses of current energy consumption patterns, combined with the introduction of geothermal systems and other power reduction measures, were conducted. We also assessed the cost implications and savings associated with these changes, including LED retrofitting and purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Results indicate significant opportunities for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in a dormitory building. By analyzing 2022 power consumption data from Eversource, we identified optimization trends and anticipated progress towards Net-Zero objectives.