KAUAI, HAWAII (PRWEB) April 22, 2015 -- The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, located on the island of Kaua‘i, announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar project to install a cogeneration plant and reduce its carbon footprint in the Hawaiian Islands. The cogen plant will generate electricity and steam for the 18.5 acre Kaua‘i hotel, powering the resort’s eight buildings, heating water in guest villas as well as the resort’s four pools and three whirlpools. It is the first instance in the Hawaiian Islands where a cogen system has the capacity to generate up to 100% of a resort’s energy needs.
Kaua‘i’s primary source of electrical generation is fueled by imported diesel, and combined with the islands’ remote geographic location, Kaua‘i has the highest energy costs in the nation. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, with 346 villa accommodations, is among the largest resorts on the island and thus one of the largest consumers of energy.
The resort’s new system is known as a Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP) system which utilizes five highly efficient Capstone Turbine generators for a total capacity of 1 megawatt. The system captures the byproduct of heat energy through a large heat exchanger that is tied to a closed loop hot water recirculation system, which pipes water to an absorption chiller. In lieu of using electrical energy, the chiller uses heat energy to produce chilled water for air conditioning the resort’s two-story clubhouse. The hot water is then pumped through a series of smaller heat exchangers that provide the heat source for all of the resort’s pool and domestic hot water needs.
On a day-to-day basis, the cogen plant will power approximately 90% of the resort’s electrical consumption and 100% of the resort’s heat consumption in all guest villas, pools and whirlpools. It is anticipated that there will be a 50% decrease in energy expenses, generating cleaner energy and the capacity to sustain 100% of the energy required at the resort.
Solar- and wind-generated power were among the options considered before the decision to move forward with the cogen plant, says Denise Wardlow, General Manager.
To date, wind power permits have not been approved on the island of Kaua‘i due to the various endangered, endemic bird species that could potentially be impacted by wind turbines. Solar power would require a large footprint with less consistency to generate the resort’s energy needs. Ultimately, the cogen plant was chosen for its superior power quality and reliability to power the resort’s needs despite limited space.
“We recognize that the vitality of the resort is directly linked to the vitality of the community where it operates,” says Wardlow. “In addition to doing the right thing for the environment, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is proud of the economic benefits that our project provided to Kaua‘i’s local contractors and vendors.”
Designed to conserve and enhance the beauty of its magnificent natural surroundings and contribute to its community’s well-being, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas has continually embraced the concept of being green and moving toward sustainability since its opening in April 2008. The resort has integrated several strategies that support and encourage responsible tourism by respecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint in support of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ “30/20 by 20” initiative to reduce energy and water.
For more information For more about Starwood’s Global Citizenship strategy, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/about/citizenship/index.html. For more information about The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, please visit http://www.westinprinceville.com or call 866.837.4254 for reservations.
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
Located along a lush bluff 200 feet above breathtaking Anini Beach and the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas blends into its serene surroundings of Kaua‘i’s North Shore. Guests enjoy spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom villas adorned with instinctive Hawaiian touches and the comforts of home that inspire you to relax and rejuvenate. Additional resort features include four revitalizing pools, a two-story clubhouse, a restaurant, poolside bar & grill and general store. At the heart of service are the Westin staff who perpetuate the aloha spirit and the rich traditions of Hawai‘i with gracious hospitality and personalized service.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.
June Cappiello, Director of Public Relations, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, http://westinprinceville.com, +1 (808) 827-8743, june.cappiello@starwoodhotels.com
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