Cogeneration an Answer to Triune Needs

This article is part of gb&d‘s Green Typologies series, Four of a Kind: Green casinos upending the stereotype.

When you hear the term CodeGreen around the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, don’t think security breach—rather, think securing the future. Since its inception, the CodeGreen initiative has been a roadmap leading to laudable achievements in sustainable business practices and operations for Rio and its parent company, Caesars Entertainment, which was honored by the EPA with the Environmental Quality Award in 2008.

More than 100 conservation projects, such as the cogeneration facility that generates five megawatts of electricity for Rio or the fresh linen and towel service opt-out program, make up the tangible efforts and targets the company has set for its properties worldwide. Rio’s cogeneration plant was installed in 2004 to curb the site’s $9 million annual energy bill. It now generates 40 percent of the electricity, 60 percent of the hot water, and 65 percent of the heating requirements for Rio. The cogeneration installation saves the resort $1.5 million annually.

Complementing its green goals, Caesars also participates in charitable programs for social sustainability. Ever wonder what happens to all those half-used bottles of hotel shampoo and barely bathed-with complementary soap? Caesars Entertainment donated more than 50 tons of soap to the Clean the World nonprofit in 2012.

This article is part of gb&d‘s Green Typologies series, which in each issue explores a single type of building. For more of our most recent collection, Four of a Kind: Four of a Kind: Green casinos upending the stereotype, choose from the list below:

• CityCenter: Revisiting an efficient desert ecosystem
• The D Las Vegas: Localizing a Freemont Street Landmark
• Golden Gate Casino: Smart energy systems update an icon