The breeze off the Atlantic Ocean will soon serve as a source of fuel for the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, joining a handful of U.S. hotels with wind turbines, the South Florida Business Journal reported.
“The turbines will help us visualize the hotel as a place to be conscious of energy use,” Randy Gaines, a Hilton vice president of engineering, housekeeping and laundry operations, told the Journal.
The symbolism of the six turbines being installed on the roof of the hotel is important for environmentally conscious guests, he said.
“It’s not going to be a big percentage of the hotel power, but it will help to highlight the importance of conserving electricity, and to start dialogue.”
The chain announced in 2009 that it would reduce its energy, waste and carbon output at each of its hotels by 20 percent in five years. Solar panels, roof gardens and co-generation plants have saved the company $75 million, Gaines said. [South Florida Business Journal] –Emily Schmall