Hotel RIU Plaza Chicago

At a Glance
• System Configuration: 3 × C65 Grid Connect Capstone Microturbines
• Annual Generation: >1,000 MWh/year of clean on-site electricity
• Thermal Output: 860,000 BTU/hr of recovered hot water (integrated with domestic hot water and hydronic heating loops)
• Financial Impact: ~$80,000 / year in annual operating cost reductions
• Environmental Impact: Reduces carbon emissions by >35%
• Award Recognition: 2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award winner


The Challenge
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the newly constructed 28-story, 390-room Hotel RIU Plaza Chicago operates around the clock across 273,500 square feet. High-rise urban hospitality facilities face heavy 24/7 energy demands—from guest room showers and laundry service to elevators and climate control. Facing rising utility electricity rates and peak demand charges, RIU Hotels needed a clean, compact, and ultra-quiet energy solution that could seamlessly integrate into a tight urban rooftop footprint without disrupting guest comfort or acoustics. Building on a proven track record from previous clean energy initiatives with Veristar Energy, RIU Hotels turned once again to on-site generation for its newest flagship property.


The Solution
A 195 kW Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system featuring three Capstone C65 ICHP microturbines was deployed outdoors on the hotel’s rooftop, managed via controls and fully synchronized with the local utility grid.
• On-Site Electricity Generation: Produces over 1,000 MWh of electricity on-site annually, shaving peak demand charges and hedging against fluctuating regional utility rates.
• Continuous Thermal Recovery: Captures high-temperature exhaust to supply 860,000 BTU/hr of hot water directly into the hotel’s domestic hot water and hydronic heating systems, displacing natural gas boiler usage.
• Quiet Rooftop Deployment: Engineered specifically for urban hospitality with a noise profile below 65 dB, allowing outdoor rooftop placement directly above luxury guest suites without vibration or sound disturbance.
• Low-Emission Air-Bearing Technology: Utilizes oil-free microturbine technology to deliver clean exhaust emissions, fully aligning with Chicago municipal environmental standards and corporate ESG commitments.


The Results
• $80,000 Annual Savings: Significantly lowers overall utility overhead, driving direct bottom-line profitability for the property.
• >35% Carbon Footprint Reduction: Substantially cuts greenhouse gas emissions, advancing RIU’s global sustainability goals and supporting LEED considerations.
• Award-Winning Sustainability: Earned the 2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award for excellence in hospitality decarbonization and distributed energy design.
• Uncompromising Guest Experience: Delivers consistent, reliable domestic hot water while maintaining an ultra-quiet atmosphere for guests.