Mercer Times

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is making significant strides in the construction of the Princeton Plasma Innovation Center (PPIC) with the allocation of funds for early construction activities and energy conservation efforts.

PPPL recently secured $10 million in funding from Princeton University to kickstart preparations for the PPIC site, in addition to a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for geothermal wells. Steve Cowley, the director of PPPL, emphasized the dual purpose of the PPIC as not just a visually striking addition to the laboratory but also a sustainable building. He stated, "PPIC will not only be a beautiful gateway into our national Laboratory, but it will also be a sustainable building."

The DOE's Princeton Site Office received nearly $2.3 million from the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program to enhance the geothermal system for the PPIC project. Michael Starkey, an energy manager at PPPL, highlighted the increased sustainability of the building, stating, "The new building will be even more sustainable than we originally envisioned in its design and operations."

PPIC is designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification, aiming to align with sustainability goals and work towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Kenyon Petura, campus development manager, expressed excitement about expanding PPIC's sustainable features, acknowledging Princeton University's support, "We are very excited by the opportunity to expand PPIC’s sustainable features, and we’re grateful to Princeton University for all their help."

The PPIC project encompasses various sustainable features, including natural light utilization, passive shading, a green roof garden, rain gardens with native plants, and space for future solar cells. The building will house state-of-the-art laboratories, collaboration spaces, and offices tailored to enhance research capabilities and foster collaboration among staff.

With a distinctive architectural design that integrates sustainable technologies and promotes a collaborative work environment, the Princeton Plasma Innovation Center is poised to be a groundbreaking addition to the PPPL campus.