In 2006, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts, completed a major school building expansion and renovation project to address overcrowding, antiquated classrooms and high energy bills.
The project incorporated several high performance, energy efficient features including a building envelope that uses solar power to generate electricity and preheat water. Other efficiency measures include daylighting technologies, high efficiency lighting systems, distributed ventilation, high efficiency boilers and groundwater recharge systems.
In addition to the physical changes in the school building, the Blackstone Valley School District has developed a model curriculum integrating renewable energy theory and concepts with state academic and vocational standards to teach the state’s future workforce about energy efficient building design.
As a result of the energy efficiency improvements, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School has earned acclaim as a Massachusetts Green School.