[caption id="" align="alignright" width="374"] SUNY Poly Partnership with Japan's New Energy and Industrial Development Organization Drives Investment in and Installation of Emerging ‘Green’ Technologies at World-Class 'Zero Energy Nano' Building.[/caption]

This week, visiting Japanese officials toured SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s ZEN building in Albany. The innovative six-story structure will be home to education and business, while serving as a model for the U.S. construction industry.

Leaders of government and industry from both New York and Japan gathered on the CNSE campus Tuesday. Self-sufficient, "net zero" buildings have been going up in Japan for about five years now, design and construction efforts spurred on by the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.

SUNY Poly says the “Zero Energy Nano” building is the culmination of a $25 million global partnership, first announced by Governor Cuomo in September 2014. The initiative saw SUNY Poly partner up with New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization ( NEDO), which is operating through Shimizu Corporation; the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); and design firm EYP.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines a Zero Energy Building as "an energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable exported energy."

Tom Birdsey, President & CEO of EYP, lauds the $191 million ZEN superstructure as both a "demonstration facility and a living laboratory."   "ZEN is the epitome of what today's young professionals expect. Lots of daylight, great views, flexibility, a connection to the outdoors. In short, a healthy, fun and sustainable environment."

ZEN, which uses fuel cells and solar power with equipment provided by the Japanese government, houses the New York State Data Center.  David Margolit is COO for NYSERDA. "Right now, when it comes to deeper energy savings, it doesn't get much deeper than this, and we are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to support this work."

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