Andrew M. Cuomo - Governor

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/09302014-zero-energy-nano

Albany, New York (September 30, 2014)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization have joined on a $25 million partnership to invest in emerging energy technologies at the Zero Energy Nano (ZEN) building in Albany. The partnership will install, commission, test and demonstrate state-of-the-art technologies that include solar photovoltaics, lighting, fuel cells and smart building energy management systems at the 356,000 square-foot ZEN building, which is currently under construction at the Albany NanoTech Complex.

“Today is another exciting day for the Capital region, as the nanotechnology industry continues to drive the local economy and reach new heights in the pursuit of high-tech energy developments,” Governor Cuomo said. “This partnership is an example of how the State’s targeted investments in the nanotech sector are continuing to cement New York’s place at the forefront of scientific research – and the world is taking notice. The collaboration between CNSE and NEDO is one that will create jobs and new opportunities for New Yorkers and businesses not just in the region, but throughout the high-tech energy field, and I am proud to see New York succeeding on the global stage.”

This global partnership with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) aims to leverage one of the largest mixed-use, zero energy buildings in the world to design ultra-high energy efficient capabilities which can be adopted to cut the operating costs of buildings in New York State and around the world through the reduction of energy loads and the utilization of optimum onsite energy generating opportunities.

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Vice President of Entrepreneurship Innovation and Clean Energy Programs at CNSE said, “In support of Governor Cuomo’s high-tech vision making New York State the leader in advanced research and clean energy technologies through such efforts as the NY-Sun initiative, CNSE is excited to partner with NEDO to further develop the ZEN building as a platform for the demonstration of systems which will lead to even more deep energy saving buildings in the future. Through this partnership, access to CNSE/SUNYIT’s advanced facilities will enable a world-class center of excellence where the development of leading-edge energy efficiency and clean energy generation technologies can be optimized, leading to the adoption of even greater products that can transform the way we think about the use of energy.”

Ichiro Tsubota, Director General of the Energy Conservation Technology Department, NEDO, said, “This collaboration is an important part of our international strategy to provide our partners with the critical capabilities needed to accelerate deployment of energy efficiency technologies, and we are excited to be able to utilize the CNSE ZEN building and uphold it as an international model of what is possible. NEDO’s support in providing state-of-the-art equipment will enable the development of zero energy buildings worldwide, charting a new, more sustainable course for global infrastructure.”

CNSE’s ZEN building was designed to generate much of the energy it uses annually, and it will serve as an international showpiece and “living laboratory” for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, including the demonstration, deployment and testing of renewable energy technologies and analysis of the impacts of sustainable design. The smart use of energy is critical for the wide variety of building tenants and stakeholders, as ZEN will offer an unparalleled ecosystem for high-tech educational, research and workforce training opportunities, in addition to housing the New York State Data Center.

The partnership between CNSE and NEDO, Japan’s largest public research and development management organization, will contribute to the development of an international market for energy efficient buildings as efforts to install, commission and provide a test-bed for the equipment donated by NEDO will showcase their critical importance. As new, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are developed and commercialized, deployment and validation are crucial to accelerate this process and support manufacturers’ needs. As part of this process, the technologies’ results will be measured and validated, and predictive performance of the systems at the ZEN building will be widely disseminated.

As part of the collaboration, NEDO will entrust Shimizu Corporation, a globally recognized architectural, civil engineering and general contracting firm, to implement NEDO’s day-to-day work related to the project. CNSE will jointly collaborate with NEDO and Shimizu to install and integrate the technology at the NanoCollege, which will continue to work closely with EYP, the designer of the ZEN building and a global provider of comprehensive building design, research, and related consulting services.

Kazunori Nakayama, General Manager of the Business Development Department, International Division of Shimizu Corporation said, “Leveraging our combined strengths creates an effective approach to test next-generation energy efficiency technologies. We also look forward to this work that will significantly contribute to the establishment of international standards and the development of solutions with the ultimate goal of achieving widespread construction of zero energy buildings as a result of using the CNSE ZEN building as a testing ground for energy-based innovations.”

Tom Birdsey, President & CEO of EYP said, “EYP is committed to showing our clients that their investment in and expectations for high-performing buildings are worthy and achievable. We are excited to represent the architecture/engineering industry in this visionary international partnership advancing the future of high-performance design. Projects like the ZEN building demonstrate the enormous potential of cutting-edge technologies to leverage the built environment, transforming buildings from energy consumers into dynamic resources that can help us address global energy challenges.”

The new collaboration will help contribute to the more efficient use of energy and the protection of New York State’s environment—as well as the global environment—by accelerating and rapidly transferring the latest in clean energy building technologies for use in current and yet-to-be-constructed facilities in New York, across the United States, and around the world.

##############

About NEDO. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, NEDO, is a public scientific and technological research development organization that promotes research and development as well as the dissemination of industrial, energy, and environmental technologies in Japan. NEDO seeks to address energy and global environmental problems and enhance industrial technology, and the organization will cooperate to implement the ZEN project with Shimizu Corporation and deploy their new technologies such as Smart BEMS, daylight and human factors control for lighting and HVAC, and fuel cells, among others. For information, visit www.nedo.go.jp/english/.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute. SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and degrees in technology, professional studies, and the arts and sciences at its Utica/Rome campus. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $20 billion in high-tech investments, over 300 corporate partners, and maintains a statewide footprint. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,100 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty. The Utica/Rome campus offers a unique high-tech learning environment, providing academic programs in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and offerings in the arts and sciences range from humanities to the social sciences. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. SUNY Poly operates the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua. SUNY Poly founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) on its Utica campus, and is lead developer of the Marcy Nanocenter site, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Complex, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub, and Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub. For information visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunyit.edu.

About Shimizu. Founded in 1804, Shimizu is a Japanese-based, global provider of services in the building, civil engineering, and construction arenas, with know-how that includes electric power generation and consultancy; construction planning, maintenance, and facilities operation; regional development research, planning, design, supervision, and consultancy; and financial services. For information, visit www.shimz.co.jp/english/index.html.

About EYP. EYP is a global provider of comprehensive building design, research, and related consulting services to a broad range of markets, including education, government, healthcare, and corporate. With employees located across the country in twelve offices, it is a recognized leader in high-performance design for all of the key markets that it serves. Prominently ranked on numerous industry “best of” lists, EYP successfully delivers expertise-driven services to clients around the world. www.eypae.com.

####

Media Contact:

Jerry Gretzinger, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Relations (518) 956-7359 | jgretzinger@sunycnse.com