Replacing an aging, failing central heating plant

Framingham Prison Microgrid/Cogeneration Project

The Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) undertook an energy conservation study at the Framingham Prison that identified the need to replace the aging and antiquated central heating plant. Our team, under contract with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, provided engineering and design services for this major project.

Our job to replace the existing boiler plant with a new one outside the prison fence. We needed to also demolish the old plant, meaning we would need to replace the entire electrical distribution systems and design of a microgrid. This included onsite solar photovoltaics, a new emergency generator, and cogeneration. The construction phasing for the project was crucial because the utility services to the prison could not be interrupted. With this in mind, we ensured that both the new and existing electrical distribution systems remained operational to allow the cut over of each building from the old to the new system.  

Upon completion, this project will replace an obsolete electrical distribution system with a new system that includes cogeneration, solar photovoltaics, backup emergency power, and The Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) undertook an energy conservation study at the Framingham Prison that identified the need to replace the aging and antiquated central heating plant. Our team, under contract with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, provided engineering and design services for this major project.