Technology

Boston's Green Tech Pilots Heat Apartments, Schools With Renewable Energy

Local tests of solar batteries and geothermal wells are altering daily routines in specific Boston buildings while the broader climate tech sector supports thousands of sustainability jobs.

By Boston Tech Desk · Published July 24, 2026

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Boston's Green Tech Pilots Heat Apartments, Schools With Renewable Energy — Photo: UKinUSA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Boston residents at Franklin Field Apartments now rely on geothermal heating wells instead of traditional systems, one of several first-in-Massachusetts green building projects underway at the site and at JFK Elementary School.

The shift matters because Boston tied the Bay Area for climate tech venture capital investment in 2023 and Governor Maura Healey signed the $1 billion Mass Leads Act in 2024 to back grants and tax incentives for the sector. These steps build on an existing network of research institutions and startups that already positions the city as a leader in sustainability employment.

Neighborhood buildings adopt new systems

Emerson College is set to become the first college in the nation to heat all its buildings entirely with renewable energy through a district energy partnership. The same push includes a solar-powered battery system replacing diesel generators, tested at Franklin Field Apartments and JFK Elementary School. City officials completed an $11 million first phase of the $45 million Renew Boston Trust program that upgraded energy efficiency and renewable energy at 14 municipal buildings.

Greentown Labs in Somerville houses more than 150 member companies and has helped startups create roughly 2,800 jobs. Boston ranks among leading U.S. cities for sustainability positions because of its concentration of cleantech firms, clean energy providers and data-driven solution companies.

Practical steps for residents

People living near the tested sites can track city announcements on the Renew Boston Trust website for updates on efficiency upgrades. Job seekers can review openings through the Boston.gov climate tech pages and Greentown Labs listings to connect with local employers in the sector.

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