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...

LAKE ELMO, MINN.—PTAC MAGIC, which specializes in the installation and recycling of Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioning (PTAC) units for hotels and resort properties, announced that it is now offering free pickup of working PTACs to hoteliers across the United States. According to David Triemert, president of the Lake Elmo, Minn.-based company, the majority of PTAC air conditioners that are replaced with new units during hotel renovation projects may still have a useful life. Triemert says he receives a number of phone calls each day, about half from motel operators, who are interested in inexpensive, used PTACs. Triemert tries to source local...

BOYLSTON, MASS.—Restaurants can now run their operations on waste vegetable oil, thanks to the development of Vegawatt from Owl Power Company. This new product enables restaurants to reduce their need for electricity and natural gas supplied from utility companies by using their waste vegetable oil to create electricity and hot water. Owl Power is a developer of clean energy systems and the Massachusetts-based company has been hard at work for the last four years creating, testing, and now unveiling the Vegawatt, a cogeneration system that uses waste vegetable oil as fuel to generate on-site electricity and hot water. “It’s with great...

BURBANK, CALIF.—A new UVC Kit for Air Handlers from Steril-Aire, Inc. may be used in a wide range of HVAC applications to destroy microorganisms including flu viruses, bacteria and mold. The easy-to-install kit delivers Steril-Aire’s proven UVC technology to fan coil units, unit ventilator systems and indoor air handlers with coils up to 84" (213.4 cm) with dual access. It delivers energy savings on retrofit installations, maintains factory design efficiency on new units, and improves indoor air quality and infection control in all systems. Applications include air handlers serving patient rooms, classrooms, hotel/motel rooms, apartments and condominiums, and offices in...

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.—Evolve Guest Controls announced a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an Energy Star Partner. Evolve’s voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program means that it will be working toward helping its clients improve the energy efficiency and performance of their properties. “We believe that an organization-wide energy management approach will help our clients enhance their financial health and aid in preserving the environment for future generations,” says Len Horowitz, president. “Evolve is very excited to be named an Energy Star Partner. This recognition underscores Evolve’s commitment to saving the planet...