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Energy Management

Everyone has felt the sting of rising energy costs recently. Savvy hoteliers have implemented plans to address these increases. It could be a simple operational change or a complex capital investment. Green Lodging News covers the latest news and trends pertaining to energy management. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Energy Management

Home Energy Management
Everyone has felt the sting of rising energy costs recently. Savvy hoteliers have implemented plans to address these increases. It could be a simple operational change or a complex capital investment. Green Lodging News covers the latest news and trends pertaining to energy management. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Cypress Hotel & Spa Releases New MicroCotton Green Earth Towel

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Hotel & Spa, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxurious bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry for more than 25 years, announced that their exclusive MicroCotton Green Earth towel has been re-engineered to be more absorbent, durable and eco-friendly. “In today’s eco-economy, it is critical for hotels to reduce energy usage and expenditures,” stated Gene Faul, Cypress founder and CEO. “However, most hoteliers have been reluctant to implement the use of ‘green’ or organic linens because they are typically not as soft, durable or luxurious as traditional ones. Our new Green Earth...

Hyatt Regency Denver Heads Down Path Toward Sustainability

DENVER—The Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center has begun to implement a comprehensive sustainability program designed to minimize the hotel’s overall carbon footprint and decrease its environmental impact. “Sparked by the passion of our staff and our customers, and Hyatt’s desire to be a part of the solution, we felt compelled to develop and implement long-term sustainability programs that would have lasting, positive results,” commented John Schafer, general manager of Hyatt Regency Denver. “Living in Colorado and waking up to one of the most magnificent views every day is a constant reminder of our connection to the...

Starwood Vacation Ownership’s New Hawaii Property to Pursue LEED

MAUI, HAWAII—Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, announced plans to expand its portfolio of resorts in Hawaii with the development of its third vacation ownership resort on Maui. The new property, expected to open fall 2011, has been designed to achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings. “SVO is proud to be the first stand-alone, full-service resort in Hawaii to be developed with this coveted certification in mind,” said Matt Avril, president and managing director of operations,...

Watt Stopper/Legrand Retools Sensors for RoHS Compliance

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand announces the launch of RoHS-compliant occupancy sensors as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment. Specifiers, building owners and contractors who select these lighting controls can be assured that they are helping reduce the amount of hazardous waste that will enter the environment, in addition to achieving energy savings. RoHS is the European Union’s (EU) directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU market. It addresses the use of four heavy metals and two flame retardants used in plastics. RoHS compliance requires the design, or redesign,...

GLN Welcomes American Window Film as Directory Partner

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American Window Film as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. American Window Film, Inc., a 3M Authorized Window Film Dealer serving 50 states, offers window films that meet Energy Star and LEED energy efficiency and sustainability guidelines. 3M™ Window Films reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use by reducing heat loss, heat gain and energy consumption. Call (508) 549-0300. For additional information, call (508) 549-0300, e-mail pjd@americanwindowfilm.com, or go to www.americanwindowfilm.com.

Convention Center in Atlantic City to Have Large Roof-Mounted Solar Array

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) announced that it has awarded Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States. “With each step we take, the ACCVA continues to embrace green initiatives and stand at the forefront of the environmental movement,” said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the ACCVA. “Following Governor Jon S. Corzine’s lead in taking a proactive look at environmental issues, our outstanding team has worked in conjunction with Pepco...

USA Technologies: EnergyMiser Sales Trending Higher

MALVERN, PA.—USA Technologies announced that sales of its EnergyMiser product line were trending at about 39 percent higher over last fiscal year, at the same time as the number of U.S. energy utilities participating in the company’s EnergyMiser Rebate and Turnkey Programs had doubled to nearly 50. “With the world reeling from record energy prices, there is a growing focus on the need to conserve and implement energy conservation technology to lower energy consumption,” said Stephen P. Herbert, president and COO, USA Technologies Inc. “We estimate that our EnergyMiser product line can lower energy consumption up to 46 percent in...

Telkonet Solution Selected by Main Street Developers

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, has won the contract to supply Main Street Developers with Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE), with the first systems being installed in four new properties during 2008 and early 2009. The hotel development company selected Telkonet after extensive evaluation of competitive energy management solutions, singling out Telkonet’s patented Recovery Time™ technology as a major factor in the contract award. With six to 10 franchised hotel projects underway each year, Main Street Developers plans to implement TSE universally as a core element...

Bartech Teams Up with Ember to Boost Minibar Efficiency

BOSTON—Bartech, a leader in automatic minibar systems for the hospitality industry, is teaming with Ember, a leader in ZigBee technology, to provide hotels worldwide with real-time status and charges from in-room minibars. The ZigBee-enabled system helps hotels provide a better guest experience while improving staff efficiency by wirelessly monitoring in-room refreshment centers remotely. Typically, attendants in hotels have to “blindly” visit every room to check on inventory and replenish minibars, resulting in staff inefficiencies and inconvenience to guests. But Bartech’s Web-based dot.net software can now report which products need to be replenished in a specific room. Additionally, minibar doors can...

Xanterra Completes Industry’s Largest Solar PV System Installation

DENVER—National park and resort concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts has just completed one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems in the United States. Covering five acres of Southern California’s Death Valley National Park—a 3.3 million-acre park that is the sunniest place in the country—the one megawatt (MW) system will generate more than one-third of the total annual electricity needs of Xanterra’s operations in Death Valley, including the historic Furnace Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Furnace Creek Golf Course, employee offices and housing. Xanterra’s facility is one of the largest privately owned PV energy systems in the country...