OJAI, CALIF.—SimpliPhi Power and California Solar Electric have completed the second phase of an off-grid solar plus storage installation at the Taft Botanical Gardens in Ojai, Calif., which are part of an eco-resort owned by the nonprofit Conservation Endowment Fund. The second phase of the installation included an additional eight PHI2.6 kWh batteries (doubling the PHI power storage), providing enough extra power capacity to run electrical loads well into the night without utilizing a generator for a total of 41.6 kWh of stored PV power.Taft Gardens was challenged to preserve the pristine natural environment of the gardens while at...

NEW YORK—New York’s Hotel Pennsylvania announced that it has won the 2015 Energy Star National Building Competition for demonstrating leadership in water conservation. The hotel competed against more than 1,600 buildings with the goal of reducing its water use and protecting the environment. The recognition was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “We are pleased to be recognized for our water conservation efforts,” said Gene Nicotra, General Manager at the hotel. “Not only do we offer excellent location and value, but we also continue to improve efficiencies in reducing our carbon footprint.” The Energy Star is the national symbol...

PLANO, TEXAS—NexRev LLC, experts in improving energy efficiency and reducing utility and operational costs for retail, entertainment, commercial, industrial and institutional facilities, announced the company’s flagship HVAC energy reduction solution—DrivePak—has saved customers $100 million since its introduction to the market in 2008. This amount represents a savings of nearly 1 billion kWh and 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of removing 140,000 cars off the road for one year. “One hundred million dollars in savings is a significant milestone for NexRev as it reinforces the proven energy reduction technology behind DrivePak and its substantial contribution to our clients’...

SAN FRANCISCO—Leaders from Philips Lighting met with energy ministers attending the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7) summit in San Francisco last week, where the company announced a commitment to sell more than two billion energy efficient LED light bulbs by 2020. Reaching this goal is estimated to save an amount of energy equivalent to that generated by 60 medium-sized coal-fired power stations with emissions equivalent to those from 24 million cars by 2020. The company also reaffirmed its pledge to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2020 and said that it expects electricity for its U.S. operations to...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, and Greenview, a leader in advancing hotel sustainability, welcome Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems as a Green Lodging Survey sponsor. Aquawing is a global leader in ozone laundry technology with more systems using the Aquawing process installed and operating than all other manufacturers combined (8,000+). Aquawing offers as much as 90 percent savings on hot water, up to 40 percent total water savings, and is clinically validated to kill superbugs like MRSA & C. diff. Aquawing is the only system properly clinically validated. Aquawing’s patented variable ozone system automatically...

ATLANTA—For years the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead has been recognized as a leader in sustainability. In 2014 the hotel was named a Good Earthkeeping Award winner in the Large Property category by the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. In 2013 the property was featured in Green Lodging News for its rainwater harvesting system that has since been expanded to 50,000 gallons. Within the next month or so, according to Wes Shirley, Director of Engineering, the 439-room hotel will add a 20-panel solar thermal system to its roof. That system will provide all of the heat needed for guestroom...

SPOKANE, WASH.—Ecova, a leading energy and sustainability management company, announced that it has identified $2.1 billion in savings since 2013 for its commercial and industrial clients with respect to energy, water, waste and telecommunications through comprehensive resource management programs. Ecova works with more than 900 commercial and industrial multi-site companies to find opportunities to drive bottom line savings and improve efficiencies across their organization.Ecova identifies savings in numerous resource categories, such as energy, water, waste and telecommunications. By leveraging data from utility bills, meters and energy management systems, Ecova’s teams of experts have the insight to act on savings...

STATE COLLEGE, PA.—A record crowd attended EnergyCAP’s annual Catalyst Training for Savings conference last month, where the company unveiled a beta version of the software that highlighted new directions in energy management. “EnergyCAP is all about helping clients derive value from utility bills,” said Chris Heinz, Catalyst Director. “Our customers are looking for new ways to make data transparent, intelligible, portable, shareable, and integrative. We’re creating ways for that to happen.”The Catalyst conference is held each year for clients using the EnergyCAP utility bill management software. Attendance at the three-day training event has more than doubled in five years....

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—WAC Lighting has added high output Single Spot and Double Spot luminaires to its Endurance line of exterior lighting. The 15-watt LED single spot replaces a 75-watt halogen fixture while the 30-watt LED double spot is a retrofit for a 150-watt halogen fixture.Both Single and Double Spots are designed with lockable aiming and a sensor-ready receptacle to accept available optional photo and motion sensors. Tightly engineered with factory sealed LED light engines, the luminaires are IP66 rated for wet locations.Utilizing proprietary technology, the luminaires are offered in 3000K and 5000K color temperatures and an 85 CRI while...

PALMA, MAJORCA, SPAIN—Meliá Hotels International recently announced three new hotels in Africa, Indian Ocean and Central Asia. The property in Africa, the Meliá Serengeti Lodge in Tanzania, scheduled to open in June 2017, will be Meliá Hotels International’s first green hotel. Located on the natural terraces on the southern slopes of Nyamuma, with spectacular views over the peaceful valley of the Mbalageti River, the hotel will be 45 minutes from Seronera Airport in the Serengeti National Park, the oldest and most popular National Park in Tanzania, on the western border of Lake Victoria, considered a World Heritage Site. To...