March 26, 2013

Dear Boston Green Tourism Members,

 

The minutes from the March 26 BGT meeting are below, with links to the presentations. See the other sections, too.

Our next meeting will be May 9.

Dan 
MEETING PRESENTATIONS

                                               Boston Green Tourism Meeting

                                              March 21, 2013                                                              

 

Location: Westin Copley Place                                   

Hosts: Glenn Ralfs, Rob Vass     

 

Present:

Glenn Ralfs, Rob Vass, Mike Cirignano, Melissa Yoshimoto, Michael Duffy, Ed Dustin, Sharon Holtz, Tedd Saunders, Marcella MacKenzie, Scot Hopps, Tom Taylor, Charity Pennock, Chris Westlund, Gerri Weiner, Alan Weiner, Mike Rivers, Matt Foran, Jeff Mann, Robert Guilllemin, Tim Ericson, Brian Ricci, Jeffrey Long, Greg Senosk, Kevin Lubinger, Dan Ruben. I missed one or two people.

 

PRESENTATIONS

1. Metering & Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS)

Jeffrey Long, Professional Services, Sales Engineer

Brian Ricci, Buildings Solutions, Strategic Accounts Manager  

 

This presentation is about new developments in metering and the associated energy management reports. Hotels are using metering and EMIS's to:

  • quickly identify electrical and mechanical problems.
  • evaluate energy and water use by department, time of day, etc.  
  • automatically generate Energy Star Portfolio Manager scores.
  • bill tenants.
  • reduce use during peak demand periods.

2. Zagster -- The Newest Green Amenity

Timothy Ericson, CEO and Co-Founder, Zagster

 

Zagster makes it easy for hotels to offer bikes to their guests. Some hotels offer bikes for free, and others charge rental fees to their clients.

 

3. 2013 Mass Save Program Incentives

Kevin Lubinger, Program Manager, Energy Efficiency, NSTAR Electric and Gas

Greg Senosk, Account Executive, NSTAR Electric and Gas

 

In 2012, hotels in the NSTAR region earned Mass Save incentives for 125 energy efficiency projects, saving 25 million kWh's per year! NSTAR expects to beat those figures in 2013.

 

Kevin and Greg encouraged hoteliers to contact them in early 2013 to discuss incentives for their projects. They also suggested that hoteliers call them in the planning stage of their facility's renovation process.

 

Their presentation is rich with information about the 2013 Mass Save program.

 

4. Discussion: The TripAdvisor Certification

Tedd Saunders said that this certification is a "game-changer," because it recognizes green hotels in a very visible way. The Lenox Hotel and Seaport Hotel have already submitted their applications. Representatives from both hotels (Tedd, Scott Hopps and Michael Duffy) said that they made few if any changes to hotel practices in order to apply.

 

I encourage you to read the lengthy application and apply for certification. Please contact me if you want my help. 

IDEAS

"Intelligent Shower" Saves Water and Energy     

Do your guests stay in the shower forever? Then perhaps the new EcoVea technology can help you cut the energy and water use associated with long showers. 

 

Reveeco, claims that this product saves 66% of the water and 80% of the energy used for hotel showers. The EcoVéa, "continuously analyzes, sorts and treats water during a shower... Dirty water is drained away while clean water is reused after filtering and antibacterial treatment." If the product works as promised, long showers will not be so costly.

 

EcoVea is being tested by hotels in San Diego, British Columbia and France. If the tests go well, I will have a Reveeco representative make a presentation at one of our meetings.

OPPORTUNITY
These identical webinars (April 11, noon - 1:30 and 3:00 to 4:30; April 15, noon - 1:30 and 3:00 to 4:30), "will cover what you need to know to prepare and what you can expect with the transition to the upgraded Portfolio Manager." 

It is important to note that the upgrade will not affect the program metrics. In other words, your hotel's score will not be affected.

The website includes other information about the upgrade, too.
ARTICLES
Anne Vazquez, Today's Facility Manager, March 7.   


 
This article discusses the new standard. Among other virtues, green laundry products are concentrated to reduce packaging, transport emissions and storage space; they protect laundry staff from VOC's, asthmagens and skin and eye irritatants; and they reduce environmental harm.   

Nick Tallos, Green Lodging News, December 26. 

Stainless steel control valves are available that use a temperature sensor to better control the temperature range in showers and other fixtures. The author says that such a system improves water and energy efficiency, and reduces the need for system maintenance.    
2013 MEETINGS

May 9

June ??:  Please note that I am going to reschedule the June 20 meeting, because the NSTAR / National Grid energy efficiency conference will be held that day. I will announce the new date soon.   

August 1

September 12

October 24

December 5