STONY BROOK, October 16, 2007—The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center co-chairs Shirley Strum Kenny and Robert Catell have announced that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at the Charles B. Wang Center on the Stony Brook University campus and the Advanced Energy Center site nearby. The Advanced Energy Center is a research facility created to develop alternative energy sources and protect natural resources by taking advantage of cutting edge technologies. It is the largest facility of its kind on Long Island and is supported by $35 million in State Senate funding.
"Developing new and efficient sources of energy is one of the most important challenges of the 21st Century. We are grateful to our state legislators for their support of this critical effort to meet that challenge," said Kenny, Stony Brook University President.
The Advanced Energy Center, which will be located at Stony Brook’s Research and Development Park adjacent to the campus, is the centerpiece of a partnership among academic institutions, research institutions, energy providers, and corporations. Its mission is to develop innovative energy research, education, and technology deployment with a focus on efficiency, conservation, renewable energy, and nanotechnology applications for new and novel sources of energy.
"The groundbreaking today serves as testimony to our resolve in tackling the energy problems we face here on Long Island, in New York State, and in the nation," said Robert B. Catell, Chairman of National Grid USA. "The innovative environmental building design for the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center is seeking to receive a platinum LEED rating, and serves as an example of what all of us can do today to make a difference. This facility will be the home of important energy research projects that will be developed right here on Long Island on the Stony Brook Campus to stimulate the economy, improve the environment, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels." National Grid’s training center in Hauppauge is being used for research projects while the Alternative Energy Center is being built. Over 80 projects are already in development in such areas as renewable energy sources, fuels, and conservation.
The research will be driven by the alliance of universities, laboratories, and companies. The Advanced Energy Center also will strengthen partnerships among the local and state business and academic sectors and attract both additional public and private funding.
State Senator Kenneth LaValle said, "I am pleased to have played a role in the creation of this facility. I fully expect that the Advanced Energy Center will take us to a point in the future where we will become less dependent on fossil fuel and set us in a direction of greater energy independence."
"The development of alternative forms of energy could revolutionize the way we live. This new center will place Long Island at the forefront of national, and international, research in this dynamic field and bolster the region’s status as an integral hub of the global information and technology economy," said State Senator Dean Skelos, who along with State Senator Ken LaValle, secured the funding for energy center.
Among the corporate and academic partners in the project are Stony Brook University, National Grid, Brookhaven National Laboratory and LIPA. Academic institutions such as Farmingdale State College, SUNY Maritime, Dowling College, Polytechnic University, Adelphi, Hofstra, and Nassau and Suffolk Community colleges also are involved.
“The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center will put Long Island on the national map when it comes to the research and development of leading-edge, 21st Century energy technologies,” said Long Island Power Authority President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “Long Island has an ever-growing demand for energy in all forms. The Advanced Energy Center will help develop a variety of technologies and energy use strategies that will help our region use energy more efficiently, which will benefit our economy and environment over the long term.”
Among the goals of the Advanced Energy Center is to reduce the dependence on foreign oil imports, ensure that the country is able to meet the increasing demand for energy in an environmentally-sound manner, and develop a focus on renewable energy and nanotechnology applications for novel sources of energy. Once construction of the center begins it is expected to be completed within two years.
The schedule for the event is as follows:
11:15 a.m. Addresses at Wang Center, Stony Brook University
11:30 a.m. Groundbreaking Ceremony at the AERTC site (transportation provided)
The Advanced Energy Center will integrate basic energy science research with wireless informational technology, modeling and simulation, testing, and evaluation for a seamless transition among concept, production, and distribution with enhanced control for significantly improved efficiency and environmental protection. The energy center will also seek to improve the efficiencies of existing fuels and improve the conservation of fuels—including oil and natural gas—that are in decreasing supply.
Dr. Yacov Shamash, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and VP of Economic Development said, "The Advanced Energy Center is taking a leadership role in galvanizing the region's research laboratories, university programs, energy providers and Long Island's business sector with a focus on nanotechnology applications and new and renewable energy sources. We will also be deploying advanced technologies for energy conservation, efficiency and sustainability. The successful outcome of these programs will fortify our nation's security and provide an abundance of energy for future generations."
The Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center building will also conform to the highest level of energy sustainability administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders. The building is being designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating, which is designated by achieving maximum energy efficiency in five distinct categories: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, material & resources and indoor environmental quality. There are only 25 buildings with a LEED Platinum rating in the country. The Advanced Energy Center is expected to be the first LEED Platinum Rated building in New York State.
The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center is a true partnership of academic institutions, research institutions, energy providers and industrial corporations. Its mission is innovative energy research, education and technology deployment with a focus on efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and nanotechnology applications for new and novel sources of energy. For more info, log on to http://www.aertc.org.
