microturbines

The New York Marriott Downtown is the latest local property to install microturbines pursuant to New York City's new legislation (dating from December) providing for their operation (under Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York, Chapter 50, Distributed Energy Resource Standards). The hotel recently installed two PureComfort systems from UTC Power that will help offset 5800 megawatt hours of electricity each year and prevent 1700 tons of C02 emissions. The installation is part of Marriott's effort at the corporate level to reduce its energy consumption by 25 percent by 2017. Pursuant to the rule, microturbine installations are permitted if owners (1) receive permission from the utility company, (2) file an application with the Department of Buildings, and (3) obtain a permit from the Fire Department in order to operate the system once DOB issues the first permit and the system is actually installed.

Two years ago, Astor Wines and Spirits relocated to the Theodore De Vinne Press Building at 399 Lafayette Street, on the northeast corner of Fourth Street in the Village. At the time, Andrew Fisher, whose family has owned the building since 1983, installed two microturbines in the basement. Until last December, though, when Mayor Bloomberg signed legislation authorizing the installation and use of microturbines, the Fishers had yet to turn the system on. Mr. Fisher told the New York Times earlier this week that the two microturbines, now operating pursuant to the rule, provide enough energy to heat, cool, and provide electricity for his store and its upstairs cooking school and gallery. He's also exploring the installation of a third microturbine that would power the space of the building's six commercial tenants above. "Our goal is to be completely off of the grid," he told the Times.