Massachusetts Maritime Academy Campus Geothermal Conversion

Advancing campus-wide decarbonization and energy resilience, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Campus Geothermal Conversion is transforming how energy is generated and delivered across the waterfront campus. As part of a design-build team with BOND Building Construction, Inc., CHA is leading the design and implementation of comprehensive energy conservation measures that reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and support long-term operational performance.

The project centers on a district geothermal system that includes a geo-exchange borefield and energy transfer loop, delivering condenser water to building systems such as ground source heat pumps, rooftop units, air handling systems with heat pump coils, and heat pump chillers. Investment-grade audits guided the identification of targeted upgrades, including LED lighting, advanced controls, retro-commissioning, and replacement of aging equipment. This complex effort spans both retrofit work within existing buildings and integration with new construction, requiring careful coordination to minimize disruption to campus activities.

This scalable, high-performance energy network will reduce carbon impact while strengthening resilience across the academy’s campus.