Rest Magazine
The Orchard Garden Hotel in the heart of San Francisco, is California’s first generation of truly ‘green’ hotels – the only hotel built to the nationally accepted standards for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The hotel also took a leadership position in designing its new hotel to full LEED compliance from the ground up. “The Orchard Garden pursued a LEED certification for several important reasons,” said Stefan Mühle, general manager. “Studies prove that LEED -certified buildings have lower operating costs, higher employee productivity and happier, healthier occupants. We’re extremely proud to set a national example by being one of the first next generation of hotels.
”The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and
Spa, located in the wine country just outside the Bay Area, was the second LEED-compliant hotel built in the
country. Developer Wen Chang, who named the hotel for the Greek goddess of the earth, says his overall goal is “to change the world one traveler at a time.”
The Benjamin is a recipient of the Environmental Awareness Lodging Leadership award, the Benjamin was featured on a segment of Discovery Health in March 2007 and became the
city’s first ECOTEL® - Certified property. The Benjamin is one of just
four hotels in the world to earn all five ECOTEL® Globe Awards for energy efficiency, solid waste management, water conservation, land preservation, employee environmental education and
community service.
CCXR - The first green supercar
The CCXR will take you to an entirely new level of performance. It is a derivative of the CCX, with a highly modified engine that can run on E85 and E100 Biofuel as well as normal 98 octane petrol (Europe). When run on regular petrol, the 4.7 litre twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine delivers 806 Bhp, but this figure rises to an astonishing 1018 Bhp when the car is run on E85 Biofuel. The CCXR is the first green supercar in the world and thereby sets a great example for others to follow. Since the ethanol in E85 fuel has a much higher octane rating and internal cooling capacity, the engine can run with higher compression, boost pressure and more spark advance compared to the normal petrol-fuelled CCX, whilst still maintaining the same exhaust temperature. For more information visit: www.koenigsegg.com
Leading the future: Fisker Automotive inveils 2010 Fisker Karma Premium plug-in hybrid production car.
100mpg Fisker Karma Makes its World Premiere at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
DETROIT, MI. Jan. 12, 2009: Fisker Automotive, Inc., the new American manufacturer of premium green automobiles, unveiled its first production car -- the 2010 Fisker Karma – at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit today. With a starting price of $87,900 ($80,400 after US government tax credits), 1,000 orders for the 100 mile-per-gallon luxury plug-in hybrid have been received since the prototype debuted at the 2008 NAIAS. Karma deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009 through the Fisker Automotive Retail network. More information can be found online at www.fiskerautomotive.com
The four-door, four-seat Karma fuses the traditional and timeless styling of veteran auto designer and Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker, with Quantum Technologies’ clean Q-DRIVE® plug-in hybrid powertrain to become the world’s first luxury plug-in hybrid car.
The Lightning car company is proud to release one of the UK's first electric sports cars
Combining classic, British sports car design with racing car technology and state of the art NanoSafe™ battery power and Hi-Pa Drive™ electric motor innovation, the Lightning has been developed with exhilarating performance front of mind. Whilst its head-turning looks will appeal to the most discerning of drivers, unlike other sports cars, the Lightning is also easy on the conscience. With virtually no polluting emissions, this energy-efficient car uses clean technology and will have the ultimate green rating. Following production of several petrol Lightnings and with the electric prototype build now well underway, the electric Lightning GT is now available to pre-order. For more information, please visit www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk
Tesla Motors introduces Roadster Sport
Next-generation sports car has 15% more peak power and delivers 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds
January 11, 2009
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)—Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.
The Roadster Sport does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tires, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.
The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.
“This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option.”
The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.
Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
“The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo.” For more information, please visit www.teslamotors.com
Green is in.
Hotels are rolling out the Green Carpet to attract eco-conscious guests. But this is more than changing the light bulbs. Green hotels are leading the way in conservation efforts while managing to keep their luxury status intact. It used to be the hotel itself was enough. Take a five-star reputation, throw in a uniquely scenic view or location, add some first-class service and you had the makings of a destination that would cater to all your needs and cares — a locus of civilization providing much-needed serenity and isolation from the outside world. But that outside world now has some ongoing concerns affecting us all. As diminishing resources, global warming, increasing fuel prices and changes in recreational travel become more of a global concern, the movement towards eco-friendly selfsustainability is rapidly taking front-and-center. These concerns are also having a significant influence on the hotel and hospitality industry.
Read the "GREEN GLOBAL NOMAD" article for more about" Luxury Hotels and the Paradigm of Eco-tourism."
Retrocommissioning in San Diego
Marriott's participation in the RCx Program resulted in an 8.4% reduction in energy use at the Marriott Hotel & Marina with an expected annual cost savings of $277,500. In addition, another 10.6% reduction in energy use, or $346,000 in potential savings, has been identified for future implementation at the property.
Click here to read the "Retrocommissioning Case Study" from San Diego.
Did you know?
That the average American drinks about 167 disposable waterbottles a year, but they only recycle about 38 of them.
Deloitte Survey finds 40% of business travelers are willing to pay more for green lodging.
Another recent survey of US travelers indicated that 87% would be more likely to stay at green properties, while in another, 21% of travelers say they would pay more for environmentally friendly hotels.
The top five environmental actions business travelers expect lodging facilities to be taking are (in order):
• Recycling (77 percent)
• Using energy-efficient lighting (74 percent)
• Using energy-efficient windows (59 percent)
• Placing cards in rooms to let guests request that sheets/towels not be changed (52 percent)
• Using environmentally safe cleaning products (49 percent)
Energy Star - Home Improvements
Environmentally Friendly Hotels