Hyatt House Rochester

At a Glance
• System Configuration: 1 × C65 Capstone Microturbine with Building Automation System (BAS) controls
• Compact Rooftop Installation: Rooftop footprint engineered to maximize urban space on a 172-room hotel facility
• Financial Impact: ~$50,000 / year in direct energy utility savings
• Thermal Output: Delivers 430,000 BTU/hr of recovered waste heat for domestic hot water loops
• Annual Output: Generates over 500 MWh of clean, low-cost electricity annually
• Location Context: Situated blocks from the Mayo Clinic within Rochester's Destination Medical Center (DMC) economic zone


The Challenge
Serving visiting Mayo Clinic patients and families, the 172-room Hyatt House Rochester required ultra-reliable, cost-effective energy to maintain premier extended-stay comfort. As a flagship Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) development backed by Minnesota’s $5.6B Destination Medical Center initiative, the hotel faced high baseline electricity demand and continuous domestic hot water requirements. Management needed an energy solution that would slash utility overhead, insulate operations against rising electric tariffs, and run quietly without disturbing guests in a sensitive healthcare environment.


The Solution
Hyatt House partnered with Veristar Energy to install a compact 65 kW Capstone C65 Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system mounted directly on the hotel roof.
• On-Site Rooftop Generation: Produces over 500 MWh of baseload power annually, reducing high-peak electricity purchases from the local grid.
• Domestic Hot Water Recovery: Captures microturbine exhaust heat to supply 430,000 BTU/hr of thermal energy, drastically reducing natural gas boiler fuel consumed for guest showers and laundry.
• Building Automation Integration: Fully interfaced with the hotel's BAS for automated performance optimization, real-time telemetry, and hands-off operational management.
• Low-Noise, Air-Bearing Tech: Operates with zero liquid lubricants or heavy vibrations, ensuring quiet, clean rooftop operation directly above guest suites.


The Results
• $50,000 Annual Savings: Significantly lowers operating costs, improving property margins and proforma returns.
• Hedged Energy Expenses: Protects facility operations against local utility rate hikes through predictable, on-site generation.
• Enhanced Guest Comfort: Guarantees continuous, low-cost domestic hot water for patient families requiring long-term stay amenities.
• Sustainable Healthcare Hospitality: Aligns property operations with the high environmental standards of the Destination Medical Center initiative.