VINELAND, N.J.—Could the Ramada Vineland be the first property its size to receive a monthly electricity bill of $0? Possibly. That is what happened in October at the 102-room property in Vineland, N.J. Time will tell if the Ramada will maintain its “net zero hotel” status but NGL Property Management’s John Scipione, owner of the hotel with his family, believes it is possible.What lowered the hotel’s electricity bill from $15,000/month to $5,000/month over the last couple of years is a $2.6 million, 2,500-solar panel installation behind the property. It sits on three acres of land owned by NGL Property...

CHICAGO—Traxon Technologies, a provider of solid state lighting and control systems, was selected as the key LED lighting and controls provider for InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile’s new, exterior illumination solution. The new lighting scheme debuted alongside The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 17 in downtown Chicago. Designed by Robert Osten and Anna Baranczak of Lam Partners, Boston, the lighting and control system features both architectural and media elements. Traxon’s Wall Washer Shield AC XB RGB, Graze Shield AC XB RGB, and String RGB replace metal halides, adding ultra bright, sustainable, low-maintenance LED illumination to the famous hotel’s onion...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Salvatore’s Grand Hotel has just entered into an agreement to become the first hotel in the world to benefit from joint technology integration between ZENO Controls LLC and its newly acquired division, Verve Living Systems. Last month ZENO, developer of the ZENO wireless gateway and universal controller, announced the purchase of the Verve Living Systems product line of guestroom switches, sensors and thermostats, as well as HVAC, lighting and load controls.Buffalo’s famed independent boutique hotel will immediately begin installation of the Verve Keycard Switch that will provide point-to-point communication with the room PTAC air conditioners and be centrally...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—The SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Richardson, Texas, is realizing the benefits of wireless energy management by using the Verve Keycard Switch from ZENO Controls LLC. Property operator Lowen Hospitality Management is saving energy and money by empowering guests to control lights, outlets and the HVAC system in rooms. Lowen Hospitality Management is planning on implementing the Verve Keycard Switch at all new-construction projects going forward.“At Lowen Hospitality Management, our eye is on energy conservation and being green,” said Sanjay Naik, Lowen Hospitality Management vice president. “Rather than investing in costly occupancy sensors and associated technologies, we banked...

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Delivering higher lumen output than MR16 fixtures while using 60 percent less power, WAC Lighting introduces Tesla LED Recessed Downlights which are Energy Star qualified for commercial and residential applications.Engineered with high output LED technology for thermal management and optics, the upgraded Tesla offers various styles and sizes. Tesla delivers an equal amount of footcandles using 50 percent less fixtures than its halogen counterparts for the same size space. This results in half the number of holes in the ceiling for a clean, architectural look. Designed with a low profile trim that is constructed of die cast...

LAKE GENEVA, WIS.—Green Leaf Inn, the first net-zero energy hotel being built in North America, will be sharing their story at the upcoming Greenbuild International Conference and Expo on November 14 to 16, 2012 in San Francisco. The Inn will be a luxury green retreat and demonstration model; a living laboratory and catalog of new technology, products and providers. The project includes both a renovation of the existing cottage with three suites, dining areas, commercial kitchen and laundry, as well as construction of a new building with 16 additional suites, conference room, massage suites and Welcome Center.Set to open...

HOUSTON—Toshiba International Corp. announced the introduction of its new MR16 GU5.3 LED lamp that generates up to 540 lumens. Toshiba’s new MR16 GU5.3 500 series is a direct replacement for 50W halogen lamps. Using only 9.1 watts of energy, Toshiba’s new MR16 provides significant energy savings compared to conventional halogen lamps that use more than five times the wattage for the same lumen output. MR16s are ideal for a variety of applications that require directional light, such as track lighting, recessed ceiling lights, desk lamps and pendant fixtures.“The 50W halogen lamp is a staple lighting professionals frequently specify for...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc. recently announced the opening of its new 60,000-square-foot facility for Acuity Brands Canada, combining the company’s Lighting and Controls offices. Located in Toronto, the new facility includes offices, a warehouse distribution center and a state-of-the art showroom. Twelve offices incorporate a variety of Acuity Brands value stream products to illustrate lighting solutions in office applications. Additionally, the entire building is networked with nLight controls from Sensor Switch.“This new work environment shows customers firsthand what they can achieve when specifying lighting and controls solutions from Acuity Brands,” said Gregory Holm, vice president and general manager, Acuity Brands...

PINECREST, FLA.—Green-Energy-Products.com, LLC, a small business that offers energy efficient products and services to consumers, has been accepted into the Energy Star program because of G-E-P’s commitment to improving energy efficiency in the United States and across the world. The Energy Star program is a joint program of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Energy Star program was developed to help promote energy efficiency to the public, help protect the environment and lower energy costs for consumers. The DOE and EPA have made G-E-P a valued member of the Energy Star program, in part,...

CHICAGO—The DoubleTree Alsip, Hilton Lisle/Naperville and Hilton Northbrook have implemented lighting efficiency and conservation measures to collectively reduce energy use by more than 35 percent annually, supporting Hilton Worldwide LightstayM sustainability goals. The efficiency upgrades were implemented as part of an electricity supply contract with Constellation through its Efficiency Made Easy product. Efficiency Made Easy allows Constellation business customers to implement energy efficiency upgrades at their facilities with no up-front capital expenditure. Constellation funds and installs the upgrades as part of a short-term energy supply contract with the customer. In most cases, customers realize an immediate savings on energy costs...