A Collaborative Investment in a Greener Future
Energy Efficient Investments and Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Celebrate Completion of Innovative Geothermal Energy System
DANVERS, MA, October 14, 2025 — Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School (Essex Tech) and Energy Efficient Investments (EEI) officially cut the ribbon this week on a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system, marking a major milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and student-centered learning.
The $4 million project replaces the school’s outdated steam heating system with modern geothermal technology that uses the Earth’s constant underground temperature to efficiently heat and cool campus buildings. The result is a 50-year renewable energy system that dramatically reduces carbon emissions, lowers energy costs, and provides students with a “living lab” for hands-on technical education.
“This milestone highlights the incredible collaboration, forward thinking, and care that power our campus every day,” said Dr. Heidi Riccio, Superintendent of Essex Tech. “Our geothermal system is more than an infrastructure upgrade—it’s an investment in our students, our environment, and the future of sustainable education.”
EEI: Local Partnership, Global Impact
EEI’s collaboration with Essex Tech began through a competitive procurement process in which the local ESCO contractor was selected over several of the world’s largest energy service companies (ESCOs).
“EEI didn’t just come in with a presentation—they came in as partners,” said Ryan Monks, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations at Essex Tech. “They sat down, talked to us like people, and truly listened to our needs. We chose them over global corporations because they understood our mission, our students, and our long-term vision. That decision has paid dividends.”
EEI worked tirelessly to complete the installation in time for the start of the school year, ensuring that the system was fully operational when students returned to campus. “They were here Labor Day weekend—Saturday, Sunday, Monday—to make sure everything was ready,” noted Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio. “That level of commitment defines who they are as partners.”
Smart Funding, Real Savings
The project was financed through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) coupled with a $400,000 grant from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission that incentivized the use of renewable thermal systems. Additional savings were achieved through thermal renewable energy credits (a first in the State of New Hampshire), making renewable energy cost-competitive with fossil fuel.
By leveraging available funding and phasing implementation, EEI’s design minimized tax impact and delivered measurable, long-term savings to the county, strengthening public trust and demonstrating the financial viability of renewable transitions in rural communities.
A Collaborative Investment in a Greener Future
The project was made possible through a combination of federal, state, and private funding, including:
- $1.8 million in federal support secured through the Inflation Reduction Act, leveraging incentives for clean energy projects that use American-made technology.
- $160k in Mass Save incentives, provided through National Grid, to support electrification and efficiency.
- An anonymous $1 million donation supporting ongoing and future sustainability initiatives.
“Projects like this are only possible when innovation meets partnership,” said Mike Davey, President of EEI. “Essex Tech was willing to think long-term, to look beyond traditional systems, and to lead by example in showing how schools can embrace clean energy and cost savings simultaneously.”
“Federal and state programs helped make geothermal the right choice,” said Davey. “But what really made it possible was Essex Tech’s willingness to think long-term—to invest in a 50-year system that’s efficient, American-made, and built for the next generation.”
A Living Lab for Clean Energy
The geothermal project includes ten wells drilled 750 feet into bedrock, circulating water through a closed-loop system that maintains efficient heating and cooling year-round. The system can efficiently heat the building even on sub-zero days and provides cooling in the summer, all while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In addition to reducing emissions, the geothermal system serves as an educational tool for students in Essex Tech’s HVAC and environmental programs. The former boiler room has been transformed into what Riccio calls a “living lab,” a space where students in HVAC and environmental technology programs can study cutting-edge renewable systems firsthand.
“This room is my baby,” Monks added. “It’s not just an energy system—it’s a classroom. Our students can learn how real-world sustainability works right here.”
The facility’s design, including color-coded pipe insulation and an interactive HVAC controls system, allows students to study renewable energy technology in real time, preparing them for careers in the growing clean energy sector.
“This project turns our mechanical room into a classroom,” said Assistant Superintendent and Principal Shannon Donnelly. “Our students will graduate not only understanding the technology but ready to build and maintain the sustainable systems of tomorrow.”
Senator Bruce Tarr commended the school for “turning the bounty of the land into the power of the future,” adding that Essex Tech’s project “sets a model for educational and public buildings across Massachusetts.”
Senator Joan Lovely, an Essex Tech alumna, celebrated the project’s long-term impact: “You truly struck gold—not in the ground, but in energy savings and innovation. This is the kind of investment that pays dividends for decades to come.”
“This is only the beginning,” said Riccio. “With the support of our partners, we’re proving that schools can lead the way in sustainability—and that education and innovation go hand in hand.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, state and local leaders praised Essex Tech for its leadership in climate action and education: