Norwood’s GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. has been selected to provide geothermal services for the first state-owned Zero Net Energy Building (ZNEB), a health and student services building at North Shore Community College in Danvers.

A building is classified as a ZNEB if over the course of a year the building will produce as much energy onsite as it consumes, according to a statement.

Work is nearing completion on the 58,000-square-foot, three-floor building that will provide new classrooms, labs and offices for the campus. The building’s energy efficiency strategies include geothermal wells for heating and cooling, chilled beams and energy recovery ventilation, roof-mounted photovoltaic systems, high-performing HVAC systems, natural day lighting and controls that adjust lights based on daylight.

The architectural firm of Dimella Shaffer designed the building and selected GZA for the geothermal design. The project is expected to be completed by September 2011 and achieve LEED Gold Certification.

"It is rewarding to see the growth of ‘green’ design and energy efficient building. At GZA we stay at the forefront of engineering technology in order to offer our clients options that meet their needs," said William R. Beloff, president and CEO of GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. "The energy efficiency of this building promises to save the commonwealth roughly $3.5 million in electricity bills over the next 20 years while preventing approximately 4,000 metric tons of carbon emissions over the same time period."