Algonquin Park Lodge Announces 5-Year Renewable Energy Strategic Plan
Algonquin Park's Bartlett Lodge, a leader in the resort industry for implementing sustainable, eco-friendly, and energy-conserving operational practices, announce a 5- Year Plan to reduce energy consumption and significantly increase Solar Power Generation output.
Huntsville, Ontario (PRWEB) May 15, 2008 -- Bartlett Lodge (http://www.bartlettlodge.com) has been an Algonquin Provincial Park landmark since 1917 and its current owners, Marilyn & Kim Smith, are totally committed to environmental responsibility. They have demonstrated their dedication by introducing a number of innovative energy saving measures and utilizing environmentally friendly and non-polluting practices and products into the resort's day-to-day operations. The Smiths have just announced a plan, to be implemented over the next five years, which will significantly increase Bartlett Lodge's present solar energy capability.
In a move to become totally energy self-sufficient using green power, Bartlett Lodge's 5-year energy plan will build upon the improvements that have already been made. Currently, one of Bartlett Lodge's twelve cottages is completely off grid, serviced by solar power installations and two cabins are grid tied. The cabin's solar electric grid-tied system also charges the batteries of the electric outboard motor on the resort's water taxi. As well, the main lodge dining room has a Solar Thermal Hot water system. In 2006, Bartlett Lodge became the first Ontario resort to switch its electricity supplier to Bullfrog Power - Ontario's only 100% green electricity company.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, Bartlett's 5-year plan calls for Photo Voltaic panels to be installed. These panels will produce clean power that will be fed on to the Ontario Hydro electricity grid. To help them achieve their goals, Bartlett Lodge has hired Generation Solar Renewable Energy Systems Inc. (http://www.generationsolar.com), a company that designs, installs and services a broad range of renewable energy systems for residential and commercial applications. Once the solar panels have been installed, Bartlett will become a registered generator of green electricity under the Ontario Power Authority's Standard Offer Program. The Standard Offer Program allows operators of small renewable energy generating facilities to participate in Ontario's electricity supply system by supplying power through their local electricity distributors and getting paid a fair and stable price for the power they provide.
A complete review of Bartlett's current electrical consumption will be undertaken with the goal to reduce consumption by 30% from present levels. To reach this goal, there is a plan to replace all of the lodge's electric hot water tanks with on-demand high efficiency propane heaters. As well, all of the guest cottages that currently are heated by electricity will be retrofitted with wood or propane heating systems.
Bartlett Lodge's 5-year plan demonstrates Marilyn and Kim Smith's leadership and dedication to conservation and renewable energy. Due to their sensitivity to the environment and the measures that they have taken over the years to preserve and conserve, Bartlett Lodge will remain a role model for those in the resort industry wishing to adopt sustainable and energy-saving operational practices.
About Bartlett Lodge:
Located within the borders of world-renowned Algonquin Provincial Park, Bartlett Lodge (http://www.bartlettlodge.com) is an upscale Ontario resort offering waterfront cottage rentals and fine dining in a pristine wilderness setting. This seasonal eco-friendly Modified American Plan resort is ideal for family vacations, romantic couples' getaways, weddings and group functions. For more information on Bartlett Lodge accommodations call 1-866-614-5355.
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