MEMPHIS, TENN.—Executives of Memphis-based Cooper Hotels, the largest multi-unit operator of Tennessee hotels, announced that two of the company’s hotels are the first Tennessee hotels to utilize solar power. Installation of state-of-the-art solar thermal systems that will provide hot water is now underway at the Hilton Knoxville Airport and the Doubletree Hotel Oak Ridge. “We are proud to be on the leading edge of sustainable tourism in Tennessee,” said Pace Cooper, Cooper Hotels president and CEO. “Our company has been committed to sustainability for years, with all five of our Florida hotels earning green designations by the Florida Department of...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Swiss-Dex USA, Corp., one of Europe’s leaders in radiant heating and cooling solutions, announced they are bringing their energy efficient heating and cooling system to the United States. The Switzerland-based company has been on the forefront of advances in green radiant ceiling heating and cooling systems all across Europe. The company’s opening of a U.S. sales office in the Triangle will now provide both residential and commercial builders across the country with a more effective and environmentally friendly alternative to force blown heating and cooling systems. The Swiss-Dex system has many advantages over the traditional force blown heating and...

FAIR LAWN, N.J.—CALMAC announced that Independence Station, a 57,000-square-foot mixed-use building in Oregon, chose CALMAC’s IceBank Energy Storage System for eco-friendly cooling of the flagship project by Aldeia, LLC. Scheduled for completion in 2010, Independence Station is a $15 million mixed-use development that has the goal to be the highest scoring certified green building in the world, as measured by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) high performance green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Independence Station chose CALMAC’s ice storage technology as part of the overall HVAC system to offset...

MINNEAPOLIS—The new Daikin McQuay Pathfinder air-cooled chiller, the first in the Daikin McQuay brand family of products, has been designed to exceed HVAC industry standards for operating efficiency and low sound levels, providing optimum operating costs and comfort throughout the life of the chiller. Unit capacities range from 175 to 515 tons in both 50 and 60 Hz. With three levels of operating efficiency—standard, high and premium—the Daikin McQuay Pathfinder chiller allows building owners to specify an HVAC system that exactly meets their requirements. The standard efficiency model meets ASHRAE 90.1 requirements, while the premium model has best-in-class...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a clean technology company that develops and manufactures proprietary energy management and SmartGrid networking technology, announces a new integrated solution initiative with the leading designer and manufacturer of lighting controls, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Telkonet and Lutron are working closely together to harness their individual product strengths, offering a unique single solution that provides fully integrated in-room, occupancy-based heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) energy management and lighting control. With this initiative, the two companies have dynamically advanced the concept of a complete hospitality solution, enabling hospitality property management a single-source energy efficiency platform. With lighting and HVAC...

DALLAS—LQ Management LLC, one of the largest operators of limited-service hotels in the United States, has long had an interest in running properties that are energy efficient. It has been an Energy Star partner since 1995, first established a compact fluorescent lighting program for its La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inns & Suites brands in 1999, has a towel and linen reuse program at its more than 700 hotels, has deployed guestroom energy management systems in more than 160 properties, and is currently working with the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. to follow its 11 Minimum Guidelines for...

LONDON—Park Plaza Hotels believes that sustainable environmental practices reflect the expectations and desires of its guests, employees, stakeholders and partners in business. Throughout its nearly 40 hotels in the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa, the company is committed to finding and implementing ways to mitigate its environmental impact through its TREE (Total Responsibility for Everyone’s Environment) and SEASON (Save Energy and Switch Off Now) initiatives. These focus on responsible water and energy usage and waste management. Several innovative energy- and water-saving efforts already are underway at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, which is set to open in...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—Located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa and a product of the late Marlon Brando’s vision, construction on The Brando has officially begun with completion slated for late 2011. Construction of the luxury eco-resort has commenced with the official authorization from the Tahitian government after several years of studying the impact of construction on the environment. The Brando will feature: 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites. Construction of The Brando began with...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.—As of July 20, the owners of the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort had spent $250,000 less than they had expected to spend on energy this year. According to David Hansen, director of engineering at the 400-suite property, the hotel could come close to a total of $500,000 in energy savings by the end of 2009. When comparing the first six months of this year against the first six months of last year, electricity consumption dropped by 575,000 kilowatt hours ($98,902 savings) and natural gas consumption by 9,314 dekatherms ($67,709 savings). The hotel...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Looking down on the roof of Wyndham Worldwide’s new headquarters on a sunny day could be hazardous to your eyes. The 83,000 square feet of white roofing on the top of the company’s new corporate headquarters building in Parsippany just might reflect the sun back at you. The white roof, which helps keep the building cool during the summer, is just one of the many green features found at Wyndham’s three-level corporate office. According to Faith Taylor, vice president, sustainability and innovation for Wyndham Worldwide, the complex opened earlier this year in February and more than 800 employees...