Starwood Launches Megawatt Project

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has entered into a Master Energy Services Agreement (MESA) with Alliance Star Energy, a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and Alliance Power. The MESA provides framework for fuel cell power plant projects for Starwood properties, and will streamline the process for business opportunities between Starwood and Alliance Star Energy. The initial focus will be in California, but the MESA is open to all of Starwood's hotels and resort properties.

The first project is to provide one megawatt of fuel cell power to the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, the fourth hotel employing FuelCell Energy's "ultra-clean" Direct FuelCell DFC technology. Four 250-kilowatt DFC power plants will supply base load electricity for the 1,044-room property. "We're pleased that the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the first property outside of the East Coast to receive this technology," explains Joe Terzi, VP of operations, Southern California division, Starwood Hotels. "Our partnership with the fuel cell industry is benefiting this hotel, and the State of California."