Image Credit: Cornell University

Cornell University wants to educate students of the future on a campus that produces as much energy as it uses. The University just released plans for a net-zero-energy campus that uses solar and geothermal power and recycles water from storm runoff. Cornell submitted the plans as part of a bid to build a school of applied sciences on New York City’s Roosevelt Island. The campus would also have rain gardens, green roofs filled with vegetation and reforestation to create a small, urban forest. The 150,000 square foot core academic building in Cornell’s plan would be the largest net-zero energy building in the eastern United States.

Cornell is one of twenty universities competing for the tech campus project. The winning school would build on land donated by the city and be awarded 100 million dollars for infrastructure improvements. Cornell is a top contender along with Standford University which also has plans for an eco-friendly campus. The environmentally sustainable campus design includes buildings that achieve LEED platinum status for energy efficiency, low carbon emissions and minimal use of resources. The university will also create a marsh to filter water runoff as well as recycling water from sinks.

Roosevelt Island is becoming known as a leader in green technology. Underground tubes on the island haul trash away instead of garbage trucks. Nearby underwater turbines in the East River power a parking lot and supermarket. Parking sensors also help customers find parking spaces quickly to reduce driving and idling time.