The Chicago based Great Escape Restaurant, which utilizes wind energy generated electricity for almost all its usages has earned the distinction as the only eco-friendly restaurant in the United States.
After nearly 14 years of its opening, the restaurant opted to install wind power in 2006 to become eco-friendly in managing its operations and planned for the installation of a wind turbine.
The Great Escape Restaurant has completed the installation of its 108 kW, 1112 foot tall Micon wind turbine nicknamed as Big Windy on 6th November 2009. The wind turbine with a wing span measuring 62 feet with 360° rotation was securely placed over a 60-ton concrete foundation to withstand gusty winds of 160 mph speed. The wind turbine installation costing around $375,000 is expected to pay back the investment within a period of 10 years.
The other green initiatives included by the company all over its restaurant includes a heat-capture system to reuse the heat exhausted from the kitchen to heat water, energy saving light bulbs, energy-efficient hand drivers, separate parking spaces for hybrid type of cars and others.
Source: http://www.greatescaperestaurant.com/