Enviromental goals set out in 2011
achieved as of February 27 2012
The goal set in 2011 by Cuna de Vida was to increase the maximum occupancy on property whilst reducing the energy footprint per guest. The goal was to reduce by 33% and the estimated reduction per person is now approximately 38%.
This is achieved by reducing the pool pump consumption from 4-6 hours daily (120-180 hours per month), reducing the use of the AC electric pump to 16 hours per month, the installation of a photovoltaic array (solar panels) and a variable DC Pump using the sun as its energy. Additionally, we have built an Anaerobic Bio Digester that processes all the organic waste; some being pre processed by our pigs and the waste water that has enabled reduction of the use of a circulating pump and aeration pump in the previously used waste-water treatment, reducing the power use from 1440 monthly use hours to 20 hours per month or less.
The additional reductions have been with power management and implementation of low energy consumption bulbs.
Coral Lodge
Environmental Strategy 2011
The environment and the way we impact our presence in the remote areas of Panama is a serious concern to us at Coral Lodge. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, there were erratic weather patterns that often resulted in being the recipient of unbearable amounts of Seaweed as well as human produced floating waste that often is unsightly.
We are implementing a Bio Digester that is poised to solve several environmental and energy problems that will enhance guest satisfaction.
The Bio Digester is an environmentally friendly way to process organic waste and produce a by-product of methanol gases and organic fertilizer.
With this program we will also develop our recycling program with the use of plastics that are washed onto the beach and glass bottles which are used throughout daily hotel operations. It will be mixed with concrete used for the Bio Gas Plant and columns of the new docks and Villas.
We are very proud and happy that we have found a Green Solution of our challenges at Coral Lodge by Cuna de Vida.
What is Biogas?
Biogas is "renewable natural gas" containing approximately 70% methane (CH4) and roughly 30% carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases.
Potential agricultural feedstocks for biogas production include manure (hog, dairy, beef and poultry), food processing (byproducts of meat processing, potato, dairy, cheese whey, sugar beet, pea hulls, and vegetables); and energy crops cut as silage (wheat, barley, triticale, clover, alfalfa, ryegrass, turnips and corn). and Seaweed
Benefits of Biogas
Methane yields from agriculture feedstocks are in the 50% to 70% range. Manure has the lowest yield with energy crops and food processing having the highest yields. Much potential exists to blend feedstocks to achieve desirable methane yields and solve environmental issues at the same time.
Commercial products from biogas production include methane, electricity, heat, steam, fertilizer, chemical recovery, odor reduction, water recycling, CO2 and potentially carbon credits and greenhouse gas credits.
More detailed information on BioGas production and Benefits