By Staff
In the nation’s driest city, where water is an invaluable resource, MGM Resorts International (“MGM Resorts” or the “Company”) has announced the success of a cooling tower retrofit pilot, demonstrating the potential of dry cooling technologies for large-scale buildings like casinos and industrial facilities. This is the first hybrid cooling tower of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip, expected to save 18 million gallons of water each year.
Evaporative cooling is the second largest use of consumptive water in Southern Nevada, surpassed only by outdoor irrigation, and accounts for 10% of the community’s annual water consumption from the Colorado River. Hybrid cooling technology combines dry and evaporative cooling, which significantly reduces water use.
“MGM Resorts is committed to piloting innovative water conservation technologies that will save water and money, to building strategic partnerships that help us de-risk these initiatives, and then to scaling these technologies to our enterprise portfolio as it makes sense to address regional water issues,” said Michael Gulich, Vice President of Sustainability at MGM Resorts.
For nine months of the year, the Bellagio Spa Tower uses the hybrid fluid cooler in dry cooling mode based on outdoor temperatures, conserving 18 million gallons of water annually. During the hottest months, a newly installed wet cooling tower operates with greater efficiency in tandem with the hybrid cooler, cutting evaporation losses by 20–30% and saving an additional 3 million gallons of water each year.
As a longtime partner of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), MGM Resorts benefited from the Water Efficient Technologies Program, which provides financial incentives to commercial and multifamily property owners who implement water-saving technologies.
“As Southern Nevada implements its progressive and comprehensive water conservation programs, companies like MGM Resorts International provide foundational contributions to improve water efficiency within the local business sector,” said Michael Bernardo, SNWA Enterprise Conservation Manager. “This type of investment in hybrid cooling technology is critical to the long-term sustainability of our community, and MGM is helping lead the way.”
As the operator of large-scale resorts—many located in Las Vegas—MGM Resorts is deeply committed to responsible water use and ongoing water stewardship. The company focuses on improving water efficiency, reducing consumptive use across its operations and supply chain, and piloting innovative sustainable technologies.
Learn more about water stewardship at MGM Resorts here.
Lead image courtesy of MGM Resorts International
