Harvey Stenger, Binghamton University President, spoke at an August 27 groundbreaking ceremony for the $70 million, 114,000-square-foot building at the Innovative Technologies Complex. He was joined by dignitaries including Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, state Sen. Thomas Libous, state Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and state Assemblyman Clifford Crouch.
The Smart Energy Research and Development Facility is a result of the NYSUNY 2020 plan approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature in 2012. NYSUNY 2020 allowed the University to implement a rational tuition program that enabled the campus to embark on a project for significant growth and to pursue a smart-energy research site.
The facility, scheduled for completion in 2017, will house the physics and chemistry departments based in Harpur College. Research at the site will focus on alternative energy production, harvesting and storage in areas such as thin-film solar panel design and production, consumer-ready solar cells and next-generation battery production.
Besides its importance to the University, the facility will have a significant economic impact in the state and region. With a direct economic impact of $78.5 million on Broome and Tioga counties during its construction phase, the project will support more than 500 local jobs, including about 200 construction jobs. After construction, new employees will generate $2.5 million of economic impact annually to the local economy.
The two-story building will feature ornate custom steel in public areas as well as a green roof. LEED platinum standards will be followed throughout construction, the highest certification possible. Features will include micro turbines on mechanical systems; a fuel cell to produce electricity at a reduced cost to heat and cool the building; photovoltaic panels on the roof to produce electricity; hydronic radiant heating in the floor; controlled LED lighting; and water-cooled equipment wherever possible to conserve energy.