SPAIN—Across Spain, hotels are prominently flagging their green credentials as they increasingly take steps to reduce their environmental footprint and appeal to a new generation of eco-aware consumers. The country’s Paradores, state-run hotels in historic buildings such as former palaces and monasteries, are the latest to look to a greener future, switching to renewable energy sources by incorporating features such as biomass technology or solar panels. “The Paradores’ commitment to become 100 percent green energy driven is an important milestone in the Spanish hotels sector,” says Carlos Ortega, Executive Vice President of the Hotels division at JLL Spain. “Being a public-sector...

PHILADELPHIA—Element Philadelphia, a new 460-room extended stay hotel in Philadelphia, announced plans to install Evolve Controls’ wireless room controls system into all 460 rooms of the property, currently undergoing construction. Developed by Vine Street Matthews, owned by Chestlen Development, and managed by Starwood Hotels/Marriott, the LEED-certified hotel selected Evolve Controls for room control. “We chose Evolve for its sleek design and seamless installation process,” said Project Manager, Rich Gibson, of McCrae-Gordon Group Electric Joint Venture, LLC. “However, it’s not just about the system, it’s the superior service we have received in creating a custom solution for us to support our...

ATLANTA—Increased building activity, operational demands, changes in codes and design and new energy efficiency strategies were just some of the topic discussed among buildings professionals at the 2019 ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo. The 2019 ASHRAE Winter Conference took place last month at the Omni Hotel Atlanta at CNN Center and the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, ASHRAE’s headquarter city. More than 3,200 individuals registered for this year’s Winter Conference. The AHR Expo attracted HVACR professionals from around the globe and provided a forum for manufacturers to showcase the latest products and services. The Expo drew more than 65,000...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The NAFEM Show, held every two years, wrapped up in Orlando on February 9 at the Orange County Convention Center. More than 600 suppliers featured their latest products to help restaurateurs and hoteliers save money, energy, water and reduce waste. It would be impossible to mention every product showcased in a single article. The following is just a sampling of some cool products found among the many aisles at the show: Bluewater unveiled its Bluewater Pro 400 and Bluewater Spirit water purifier model lines that help foodservice professionals deliver fresh produce, achieve clean glassware and cutlery, and offer coffee...

DELAVAN, WIS.—Onsite Utility Services Capital (OUS Capital) has launched an energy efficiency upgrade program that requires zero capex budget and incurs zero debt. The program called Energy Savings as a Service (ESaaS) allows hospitality properties of every size to upgrade their existing energy infrastructure to modern, energy-efficient solutions—but without the typical up-front financial requirements typically associated with such a project. “Smart hospitality executives understand the positive financial impact delivered by energy-efficient solutions,” says Fritz Kreiss, Founder and CEO of OUS Capital. “What has stopped so many of them from implementing those solutions in their own properties is the up-front investment...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Sharc Energy Systems to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Waste Heat Recovery/Recycling category. Every day, a tremendous amount of warm water is used once before ultimately being discarded down the drain. Wastewater provides the ultimate renewable energy source, with an inexhaustible supply of thermal energy. SHARC Energy Systems, the world’s largest waste heat recovery company, offers two innovative products that use wastewater as an energy source. The SHARC and PIRANHA reuse thermal energy in wastewater to provide cost-effective and environmentally clean domestic hot water pre-heating and space heating and air conditioning....

SHARC Energy Systems The World’s Largest Waste Heat Recovery Company Every day, a tremendous amount of warm water is used once before ultimately being discarded down the drain. Wastewater provides the ultimate renewable energy source, with an inexhaustible supply of thermal energy. SHARC Energy Systems, the world’s largest waste heat recovery company, offers two innovative products that use wastewater as an energy source. The SHARC and PIRANHA reuse thermal energy in wastewater to provide cost-effective and environmentally clean domestic hot water pre-heating and space heating and air conditioning. Make the biggest carbon reduction impact per dollar by recycling waste heat! Call...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE announced board approval of a $15.7 million budget to begin a renovation of its new world headquarters building in metro Atlanta, with the intent of being designed for net-zero energy efficiency. The building located at 180 Technology Parkway in Peachtree Corners, is approximately 10 miles north of ASHRAE’s current location. The 1970s-era building was selected from existing building stock with a goal of retrofitting it into a modern, high-performance building. “ASHRAE is excited to demonstrate innovative leadership in our industry by transforming an existing commercial building into a state-of-the-art built environment,” said 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter. “We want...

GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA—In line with the sustainable tourism philosophy of Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT), Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas has implemented a mass solar panel installation on its path toward entirely renewable energy. The project, one of the largest solar energy undertakings in Central America, was completed in December and will provide Tamarindo’s premier eco-boutique hotel with 1,400 solar panels estimated to offset 34 tons of the hotel’s energy usage. “Travelers are more socially and environmentally conscious than ever, seeking vacations that have minimal impact on the planet’s resources,” said General Manager Federico Pilurzu. “At Cala Luna, we...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Kuvella Modular Designs, a leader in sustainable modular construction, and Z Modular, a division of Zekelman industries and leader in modular steel construction, announced an alliance between the two companies to streamline the modular construction process and broaden availability of their products throughout North America. Z Modular’s signature product, the Vectorbloc, provides extremely tight tolerances and ensures even stacking of modules. It’s also flexible, allowing for the design of virtually any type of building. Coupled with Kuvella Modular Designs’ commitment to sustainable and energy efficient construction, this partnership will greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment while...