Home Energy Management Westin Princeville Completes Installation of Cogeneration Plant

Westin Princeville Completes Installation of Cogeneration Plant

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KAUAI, HAWAII—The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, located on the island of Kaua‘i, announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar project to install a cogeneration plant and reduce its carbon footprint in the Hawaiian Islands. The cogen plant will generate electricity and steam for the 18.5 acre Kaua‘i hotel, powering the resort’s eight buildings, heating water in guest villas as well as the resort’s four pools and three whirlpools. It is the first instance in the Hawaiian Islands where a cogen system has the capacity to generate up to 100 percent of a resort’s energy needs.

Kaua‘i’s primary source of electrical generation is fueled by imported diesel, and combined with the islands’ remote geographic location, Kaua‘i has the highest energy costs in the nation. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, with 346 villa accommodations, is among the largest resorts on the island and thus one of the largest consumers of energy.

The resort’s new system is known as a Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP) system which utilizes five highly efficient Capstone Turbine generators for a total capacity of 1 megawatt. The system captures the byproduct of heat energy through a large heat exchanger that is tied to a closed loop hot water recirculation system, which pipes water to an absorption chiller. In lieu of using electrical energy, the chiller uses heat energy to produce chilled water for air- conditioning the resort’s two-story clubhouse. The hot water is then pumped through a series of smaller heat exchangers that provide the heat source for all of the resort’s pool and domestic hot water needs.

On a day-to-day basis, the cogen plant will power approximately 90 percent of the resort’s electrical consumption and 100 percent of the resort’s heat consumption in all guest villas, pools and whirlpools. It is anticipated that there will be a 50 percent decrease in energy expenses, generating cleaner energy and the capacity to sustain 100 percent of the energy required at the resort.

Solar, Wind Power Also Considered

Solar- and wind-generated power were among the options considered before the decision to move forward with the cogen plant, says Denise Wardlow, General Manager.
To date, wind power permits have not been approved on the island of Kaua‘i due to the various endangered, endemic bird species that could potentially be impacted by wind turbines. Solar power would require a large footprint with less consistency to generate the resort’s energy needs. Ultimately, the cogen plant was chosen for its superior power quality and reliability to power the resort’s needs despite limited space.

“We recognize that the vitality of the resort is directly linked to the vitality of the community where it operates,” says Wardlow. “In addition to doing the right thing for the environment, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is proud of the economic benefits that our project provided to Kaua‘i’s local contractors and vendors.”

Designed to conserve and enhance the beauty of its natural surroundings and contribute to its community’s well-being, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas has continually embraced the concept of being green and moving toward sustainability since its opening in April 2008. The resort has integrated several strategies that support and encourage responsible tourism by respecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint in support of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ “30/20 by 20” initiative to reduce energy and water.

Go to The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Click here to learn more about Starwood’s Global Citizenship strategy.

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