COLUMBIA, MD.—Autani, LLC, a leader in building controls and IoT, has hired Scott Metker as Chief Operating Officer. Scott joins Autani with over 18 years of experience in software architecture and leading IT solution deployment. Formerly, he held the roles of Chief Engineer and Director within the Technology Implementation and Integration division at GP Strategies. Under his leadership, the group transitioned from multiple legacy on-premise software offerings to a hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) platform with numerous top 20 pharmaceutical clients. Prior to this, he held the role of Chief Engineer at RWD Technologies where he was responsible...

NEW YORK—Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Lisette Camilo announced the 50th installation of Wireless Pneumatic Thermostats, a sustainable technology that will save time, money and energy in older buildings. As part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal to transform New York City’s municipal buildings for a low-carbon future, as outlined in One City, Built to Last, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has identified, tested and vetted this new innovative wireless digital thermostat. The Wireless Pneumatic Thermostats, or WPT, technology is from Cypress Envirosystems and can be installed in a fraction of the time and cost compared to...

The restaurant business is a unique field. Almost every job that is done there is something we all do at home on a daily basis. For that reason, many people in the food service industry—even managers—mistakenly assume that there is no need for in-depth training for their personnel. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. To begin with, there are regulatory reasons for getting personnel trained. One misstep in an area such as alcohol service could lead to massive fines and potentially the loss of the license to sell liquor. Given the profitability and drawing power of serving...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—To gain better understanding of energy benchmarking for hotels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) launched an analysis of the July 2012 CBECS survey to review variables impacting on-site energy use in hotels. The results from this analysis revealed changes that could improve benchmarking for various hotel types, on-site equipment, and operations. The new model was developed using the 2012 CBECS data, and validated using data from AHLA member hotels gathered through a recent AHLA survey.  Recently the EPA released findings and information on its forthcoming changes to the...

MUSKEGON, MICH.—EarthTronics introduces new PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 EarthBulb LED floodlights to maximize the visual experience in high color clarity applications. The LED floodlights offer a color rendering index of greater than 91 and an R9 value of greater than 50. EarthBulb LED floodlights combine optimal color with smooth dimming technology to less than 5 percent on standard controls applications. The lights are ideal for art museums, retail display, hospitality, restaurant, long-term care and other architectural applications. EarthTronics designed the EarthBulb LED PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 lamps to deliver 520, 800 and 1200 lumens as an excellent replacement for 50-, 75-...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has taken its leading position in sustainability one step further with the launch of Earth Lab. From Vietnam to Portugal, Seychelles to Thailand, Six Senses is dedicated to focusing on sustainability engagement and education at each resort’s Earth Lab. Earth Lab is a place where every Six Senses property showcases their sustainability efforts to reduce consumption, produce locally, and support communities and ecosystems. Guests are invited to visit Earth Lab to reconnect with the natural world and learn some simple life-hacks that will allow them to make a difference. The venue was named Earth to...

GALWAY, IRELAND—A new free online course from Alison, Solar Energy - Solar Technology and Its Use Worldwide, provides an introduction to solar technology, the consequences of using fossil fuels and how to encourage the use of solar power. Commenting on the successful publication of this Solar Energy course, Alison CEO Mike Feerick said, “In today’s world, being aware of innovative ideas towards energy sustainability, and the technology available is very important to our survival. Alison is interested in sharing knowledge to empower all. This free online course on Solar Energy - Solar Technology and Its Use Worldwide is part of the Alison...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—MaxLite, a global manufacturing and marketing leader of energy-efficient lighting solutions, announces the appointment of Jim Poynton as Director of Utility Program Implementation. A seasoned leader in the lighting and energy efficiency industry, Poynton will manage MaxLite’s participation in utility rebate programs and drive new opportunities that produce energy savings for utility customers. He will engage utility program implementers across North America to promote MaxLite’s extensive portfolio of LED lamps and luminaires for residential markets with incentive programs. Poynton will also work closely with the MaxLite sales team to drive sales in rebate programs in the retail marketplaces. “Jim...

LAS VEGAS—Sands ECO360, the global corporate sustainability program of Las Vegas Sands, has released its 2016 environmental report. The report marks the company’s first annual measurement against its revised sustainability goals, building upon the success and key learnings of original targets set in 2011 and reported on through 2015. Since Sands ECO360’s inception, LVS has established its sustainability strategy around four key pillars to achieve the greatest impact, including Green Buildings, Environmentally Responsible Operations, Green Meetings and Events, and Stakeholder Engagement. While these pillars remain the core of Sands ECO360, LVS used two guiding principles to set its sustainability goals...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc., creator of the high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer category, announced the publication of the industry’s first dry time and energy use results in compliance with the first global Product Category Rule (PCR) published by UL Environment (a business division of Underwriters’ Laboratories). SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company was selected by Excel Dryer to test the XLERATOR Hand Dryer models. The original, patented, high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR Hand Dryer recorded an 8 second dry time and 3.7 Wh of energy per use while the XLERATOReco Hand Dryer recorded 10 seconds, 1.7 Wh,...