Dec 14 2009
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany and Einhorn Yaffee Prescott ("EYP") Architecture and Engineering PC of Albany today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the EYP/energy group to CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, part of a $3.5 million initiative that includes the opening of an Alternative Energy Test Farm and the development of a joint educational and workforce training program to prepare the professionals who will design and operate the high-tech buildings of the 21st century.
More than 20 EYP/energy executives, managers, architects, designers and engineers are now located at the UAlbany NanoCollege, with collaborations underway on a variety of initiatives that utilize nanoscale technologies to support energy efficient and environmentally friendly building design and operation. The number is projected to exceed 35 EYP/energy employees as green energy programs expand over the next two years.
Those efforts are enhanced by the opening of a leading-edge Alternative Energy Test Farm, which provides for the evaluation of zero energy concepts based on the development and testing of nanomaterials and nanoelectronics for clean energy technologies such as fuel cells, solar photovoltaic cells, ultracapacitors and power electronics.
In addition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ("NYSERDA") announced seed funding will be available to help establish a joint CNSE-EYP initiative called "NanoIDEA," or "Nanotechnology Instruction for Design, Engineering and Architecture," which will include educational and workforce training programs designed to prepare building designers, architects and operators to utilize nanoscale-enabled sensors, controls and other innovations for the construction and operation of high-tech facilities.
The growing collaboration is part of the $3.5 million National Institute for Sustainable Energy ("NISE"), a joint CNSE-EYP world-class center for zero energy and sustainability research and development, business advancement, commercialization and workforce training that serves as both a catalyst for energy technology innovations and as a magnet for the attraction of clean energy businesses and industries to the Capital Region and New York State.
EYP President and CEO Tom Birdsey said, "We are excited to launch EYP/energy's new location at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex, which will enable us to tap into unparalleled intellectual and technological resources to accelerate the integration of nanoscale technologies into building design and operation. This collaboration will support innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, a hallmark of EYP's expertise driven design practice, combined with unmatched opportunities to train the high-tech building designers, engineers and operators of the 21st century."
Francis J. Murray, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, "The ‘NanoIDEA' program will play an important role among the initiatives that are helping to ensure that New York's green collar workforce will be prepared to support a world class alternative energy sector. This partnership between EYP and CNSE offers a superb combination of industrial expertise and academic know-how. The collaboration they are announcing today will help develop and deploy clean and renewable energy technologies and help build the clean energy future Governor Paterson has envisioned for New York State."
U.S. Representative Paul Tonko said, "The critical national need to increase our use of clean and renewable energy technologies while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will be enhanced by this pioneering collaboration between EYP and CNSE through the National Institute for Sustainable Energy. This is a great demonstration of New York's ability to play a leadership role in fostering essential nanotechnology innovations, and illustrates the unique public-private partnership model that we must build on to support national competitiveness and security."
Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said, "I congratulate EYP on its vision and foresight in locating its EYP/energy group at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. This partnership further demonstrates the far-reaching impact of New York's rapidly expanding nanotechnology sector, which continues to create high-tech jobs throughout a variety of industries while also addressing the most critical issues of our generation, such as the need for clean and renewable energy technologies."
Assemblyman Jack McEneny said, "What is particularly exciting about this collaboration between EYP and the NanoCollege is that it will further advance clean energy technologies while also training an important segment of our future workforce, providing additional opportunities for high-tech jobs for New Yorkers."
CNSE Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to welcome EYP/energy to CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, where it will build on EYP's recognized global leadership in the design and operation of energy efficient and green high-tech facilities. The innovative research and pioneering ‘NanoIDEA' program that this partnership will enable through the National Institute for Sustainable Energy will serve to accelerate the deployment of renewable and sustainable energy technologies, while further establishing the Capital Region and New York State as sought-after locations for the clean energy industry."
Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Professor and Director of CNSE's Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center ("E2TAC"), said, "I look forward to working with the top-flight team at EYP/energy to further the development of alternative energy technologies that are of vital importance to our nation's energy and economic future. By incorporating nanotechnology know-how into the design and operation of high-tech buildings, CNSE and EYP are further building a strong alternative energy sector in New York, which already numbers more than 200 companies and is growing quickly."
The offices of EYP/energy, as well as the Alternative Energy Test Farm, are located within CNSE's 250,000-square-foot NanoFab East building, which opened in March 2009 as part of a $150 million expansion at CNSE's $5 billion Albany NanoTech Complex.