Patna: Nalanda University has clinched the "exemplary performance award 2017" from the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Council for integrated water management.

The council is an independent platform for interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to sustainable habitats in the Indian context. TERI, with support from the Union ministry of new and renewable energy, founded it.

On Tuesday evening, the organisation recognised the Nalanda University's work towards sustainable energy goals and contribution to the environment. The university also bagged the third runner-up prize for passive architecture design.

The design helps the university achieve sustainable goals and stay committed towards incorporating environment-friendly buildings in its 455 acres of under-construction campus at Rajgir.

Vice-chancellor Sunaina Singh received the awards at the presentation ceremony held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. TERI and the Union ministry lent their support to the award ceremony.

"We are extremely glad to receive the awards and reiterate the commitment of Nalanda University towards sustainable energy goals and to contribute to the environment and the goals of the government in this regard," Sunaina said.

Durga Shankar Misra, secretary at the Union ministry of housing and urban development, and Ajay Mathur, president of GRIHA Council, were also present at the occasion.

The campus, around 100km from Patna, is designed with a unique water and energy system to achieve the goal of having a "self-sustainable net-zero campus". It uses indigenous and renewable energy resources. Various innovative technologies are utilised too, like "desiccant-enhanced evaporative air conditioning technology", which uses up to 90 per cent less energy than traditional air conditioning systems.

Better water and waste management, as well as, algae-based biogas plant and a captive solar power plant, decentralised water harvesting management and several other such environment friendly technologies are being put in place inside the campus.

The idea of the "net zero campus" is at the core of the university's key sustainability features. It means the total amount of energy consumption in a year will be roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created at the campus. The campus will function with zero or near-zero environmental impact and the GRIHA Council has reviewed the project and recommended it for GRIHA 5-star rating.

The 455-acres campus will have a total built-up area of only around 10 per cent and the remaining parts will be designed to incorporate green and natural water network.

The building orientations are designed to capture indirect and diffused sunlight to provide natural illumination inside during the daytime, helping in reducing the energy demand.