Case Study
Delta Hotels Relies on EnerNOC for
Demand Response
Leading Canadian hotel group supports the Province
and its community while earning payments
Fast Facts:
Industry:
Hospitality
Location:
Guelph and Kitchener, Ontario
DR Program:
EnerNOC DemandSMART - Ontario
DR Strategy:
Curtailment
Annual DR Payments:
Approximately $13,300 (Guelph and
Kitchener)
© 2011 EnerNOC, Inc.
THE BIG PICTURE
The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference
Center in Guelph, Ontario is one of more
than 40 Delta Hotels and Resorts spread
across Canada. As the city’s premier hotel,
it caters to a mix of business travelers
as well as leisure guests and families.
Privately owned, the 100,000 squarefoot hotel opened in 2008. It features
148 guest rooms, extensive conference
facilities, a restaurant, and other guest
amenities.
Inspired by Delta Hotel and Resorts’
extensive sustainability program, the
Guelph hotel has put a number of local
programs in place—from instituting
extensive recycling and low-impact
laundry practices to installing motionactivated lighting, a cistern, and two
green roofs. The Delta Guelph Hotel
made EnerNOC DR part of its operation
in early 2010, followed by a sister facility
in Kitchener, Ontario later in the year.
Through this commitment, these hotels
and other businesses in the region are
supporting the green initiatives of the
forward-thinking Province, as well as
protecting the local businesses and people
who rely on available, uninterrupted energy.
During DR events, the hotel shuts off or
reduces non-essential lighting, adjusts
its air conditioning or heating, reduces its
laundry activities, shuts off one elevator,
and makes other minor adjustments.
These changes, largely invisible to guests,
temporarily reduce energy use by more
than 78 kilowatts (kW). This reduction earns
The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference
Center earns significant payments from
EnerNOC, helping reduce its overall energy
expenses. And while these changes help
ensure the reliability of the energy grid
during periods of peak use, they have little
or no impact on the comfort of guests.
Case Study | The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Center
“EnerNOC did a site visit and together, we took
a look at what elements of our operation might
be worth adjusting in terms of their ability to
make meaningful reductions,” he says. “And we
were also looking for changes that would make
the least impact on our guests.”
EnerNOC DR helps demonstrate, clearly and publicly, Delta Hotels
and Resorts’ commitment to the Province and the planet.
A FOCUS ON CUTTING COSTS AND IMPACT
The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference
Center has focused on energy efficiency and
sustainability since it opened in 2008. From
collecting rainwater for irrigation to installing
energy-efficient lighting, the hotel considers
all possible ways to reduce its energy
consumption—and bills. Its partnership with
EnerNOC for the Ontario Power Authority’s
DR3 Program is a key element of the hotel’s
overall sustainability efforts.
“Energy is a key focus throughout our
industry, so we’re certainly looking for
energy savings of any type,” says Alan
Boivin, general manager at the hotel.
“However, we’re also committed to doing
things the right way, and to sustainability.
Our participation in demand response with
EnerNOC isn’t just financially driven. We want
to do whatever we can to save energy and be
more green, throughout our facility.”
As part of the Delta Greens program, all
Delta Hotels go through a thorough audit
and assessment—resulting in detailed
two-year and five-year plans for each
participating facility. “This program makes
it clear that energy isn’t an issue that’s
going to go away,” says Boivin. “So we’re
committed to continuing to add new
programs, such as demand response with
© 2011 EnerNOC, Inc.
EnerNOC, that save energy and increase
sustainability.”
In addition to its commitment to
sustainability, the hotel is also committed
to the comfort of its guests. “We’re in the
hospitality business, so we have to make
changes that make the least possible impact
on our guests,” says Randy Coulthard,
maintenance manager at the hotel. To
determine how best to implement DR,
Coulthard and his team worked closely with
EnerNOC, drawing upon EnerNOC’s extensive
experience with similar facilities.
Ultimately, EnerNOC and the Delta Guelph
Hotel and Conference Center created a
detailed energy reduction plan that includes
a wide range of possible adjustments that
reduce energy temporarily. These changes
include turning off ceiling lighting pods in the
guest corridors, which are also lit by sconces.
Depending on the season, the hotel might
shut off floor heating or auxiliary cooling in
selected areas. It shuts off laundry equipment
temporarily. It shuts off one elevator in its
multi-elevator bank. And it makes other
minor changes to non-essential equipment—
from walk-in freezers and beer coolers to
garbage compactors to hot tub heaters.
“With the possible exception of the guest
floor lighting, it’s hard to imagine that a
guest would even know that we’ve made any
adjustments,” says Coulthard.
THE RESULTS
When EnerNOC dispatches a DR event,
Coulthard and other hotel operations
Through DemandSMART, Delta Hotels boosts their
bottom line while still ensuring guest satisfaction.
Hospitality
personnel get emails and phone calls
from EnerNOC, alerting them to put their
energy reduction plan into effect. The plan
is flexible. Depending on the time of day
and the season, Coulthard can draw from a
full menu of options to choose how best to
reduce use without affecting guests. During
a recent event, the hotel exceeded its target
reduction amount, reducing energy use by
100 kW in just minutes.
During an event, Coulthard logs into
EnerNOC’s DemandSMART™ application to
monitor performance and make any necessary
adjustments. Once an event is over, Coulthard
and his team quickly return the hotel to
normal operation. Participation in EnerNOC
DR earns the hotel payments from EnerNOC of
approximately $5,300 annually.
THE BENEFITS
EnerNOC provides payments that bolster
the bottom line of the Delta Guelph Hotel
and Conference Center—while extending its
sustainability efforts. And best of all, these
changes have little or no impact on guests.
“The world is beginning to take a serious look
at sustainability,” concludes Coulthard. “It just
makes sense for our hotel to be part of it.”
Other benefits that EnerNOC DemandSMART
brings to the hotel include:
Our guests are completely into
demand response. They like that our
hotel is participating in an activity
that helps the environment. After all,
money is temporary. But what you do
to the earth is forever.
Irma Toth, Maintenance Manager/Kitchener
integrating demand response into a wide
range of organizations, including leading
hotels. This expertise enabled EnerNOC to
zero in on key areas where the hotel could
reduce energy use without impacting its
operations or affecting its guests. “EnerNOC
understood our need to maintain service
for our guests,” says Coulthard. EnerNOC
also draws upon its deep experience to
coach hotel personnel on best practices for
maximizing energy reduction and achieving
reduction targets. “EnerNOC assisted and
coached us through events,” adds Coulthard.
“And they helped us address any issues that
have come up throughout the process.”
company to work with and their skills match
what we need to manage energy better.
EnerNOC works closely with us. And it has
been a very smooth process throughout,
from developing the curtailment plan to the
actual events.”
A GREEN ADVANTAGE
“More and more of our guests are looking to
stay with hotel companies that are green,”
says Coulthard. “There is a high awareness
of sustainability, and we are seeing it more
with both our guests and suppliers/partners.”
EnerNOC DR helps demonstrate, clearly
and publicly, Delta Hotels and Resorts’
commitment to the Province and the planet.
A NATURAL PARTNERSHIP
PROVEN RESULTS
EnerNOC brings unequalled experience
“We enjoy a close, natural partnership with
EnerNOC,” says Coulthard. “It’s a great
What is Demand Response?
Demand response provides payments directly to organizations that choose to reduce
energy use during times of peak demand. EnerNOC DemandSMART is the industry’s most
comprehensive demand response application, allowing our customers to get the most
value from their participation in demand response programs throughout the US, Canada,
and the United Kingdom. EnerNOC works closely with customers to define customized
energy reduction strategies and ensure successful performance during events. EnerNOC
absorbs all costs and protects customers from any penalties that can be incurred for
not meeting reduction targets. Demand response helps stabilize your region’s energy
resources without requiring construction of new power plants—benefiting utilities, their
customers, and the environment.
NEW INSIGHTS AND EFFICIENCY
During implementation, EnerNOC installed
free monitoring equipment and monitoring
software in the hotel. Using the EnerNOC
Want More Information?
The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference
Center is just one of the many
innovative organizations that benefit
from EnerNOC’s comprehensive energy
management applications.
To find out more, call (866) 366-7820 or
visit www.enernoc.com/get-started.
Case Study | The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Center
It’s important for all hotels to know that participating in
EnerNOC DemandSMART doesn’t jeopardize guest comfort
in any way. Small or big, hotels can definitely be a part
of demand response, helping their bottom line while still
ensuring guest satisfaction.
Randy Coulthard, Maintenance Manager/Guelph
DemandSMART application, Coulthard can
measure and monitor energy consumption
in real-time, during demand response events
and beyond—from any computer, 24/7. This
capability gives him new insights on its ongoing
energy use and inspires new efficiency.
“I can go online and see exactly how much
energy we’re using at a given time,” he says.
“We’ve set goals for reducing energy use
by a certain percentage every year. With
DemandSMART, I can find new and ongoing
changes that reduce our energy even more—
quietly and invisibly.”
UNINTERRUPTED GUEST COMFORT
Though its commitment to sustainability
is strong, the hotel remains completely
focused on its guests and their comfort. “It’s
important for all hotels to know that EnerNOC
DemandSMART doesn’t jeopardize guest
comfort in any way,” says Coulthard. “Small or
big, hotels can definitely be a part of demand
response, helping their bottom line while still
ensuring guest satisfaction.”
guests who stay at the hotel. “If the Province
can avoid power interruptions, blackouts,
brownouts, and serious strain on the
electrical grid, it’s beneficial to everyone,”
concludes Coulthard.
AN ONGOING, PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO
SUSTAINABILITY
THE FUTURE
As one of Canada’s most innovative hotel
groups, Delta Hotels and Resorts has made
a strong commitment to sustainability,
as embodied in its Delta Greens program
and other efforts. With EnerNOC, its hotels
continue and extend these sustainability
efforts to include new energy savings—
as well as new payments. These energy
reduction efforts are publicized via signage
in the hotel, helping demonstrate the hotel’s
commitment to sustainability (and to the
Province of Ontario) to the hundreds of
The Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Center
continues to evaluate new ways of reducing
its energy use during demand response events
and beyond. Coulthard and his team are
expanding the hotel’s energy efficiency efforts,
using knowledge gained from DemandSMART
to make new changes that reduce use. And
other hotels within the Delta Hotels and
Resorts family are taking a close look at the
Guelph hotel’s success with demand response.
For example, the Delta Kitchener-Waterloo
made EnerNOC DemandSMART part of its
operation in late 2010.
EnerNOC, Inc. Headquarters
EnerNOC Ltd. Headquarters
EnerNOC UK Limited Headquarters
101 Federal Street
Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02110
Office: 617.224.9900
Fax: 617.224.9910
11-1155 North Service
Road West
Oakville, Ontario L6M 3E3
Office: 416.800.0948
Fax: 289.291.4001
Alder Castle, 4th Floor
10 Noble Street
London EC2V 7JX
Office: 0800.520.0303
Fax: (0)800.520.0192
EnerNOC, Inc. is headquartered in Boston, MA, United States, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada (EnerNOC Ltd.) and the United Kingdom
(EnerNOC UK Limited). EnerNOC UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 06937931, VAT number
GB980145422 and whose registered office is located at Alder Castle, 4th Floor, 10 Noble Street, London EC2V 7JX. A list of directors is available
for inspection at our offices.
© 2011 EnerNOC, Inc.
www.enernoc.com
For a full list of offices, please visit:
www.enernoc.com/about/contact.php
©2010 EnerNOC, Inc.
All rights reserved.
No text can be reprinted without permission.