A contribution to sustainability in the hospitality industry : Energetic analysis in a four star hotel
Heitjan, Vivien (2013)
Heitjan, Vivien
HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013121221092
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013121221092
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this research based thesis is to analyse the energy saving issues within the hospitality industry. The thesis is based on the fact that the energy costs of around 6-8 % of the total turnover, are often perceived as unimportant and do not stay in high focus of a hotel manager. However they do represent a great number of controllable costs.
In order to get a general understanding about the current situation in the travel- and hospitality business as well as the negative effects of this resource intensive industry, the theoretical framework introduces the field of energy and sustainability. Based on the findings of the secondary research, this chapter begins with an overall definition of sustainability by focusing on the three pillars. As it is mandatory to know the composition of energy costs, in order to analyse the current situation of a hotel, the second part of this chapter gives an insight in the field of energy consumption. Furthermore an introduction of which certificates are currently recognized in the tourism industry is followed. Finally this part ends with possible energy sources and technologies, which can be applied within a hotel.
Within the empirical part of the thesis, energy costs of an existing hotel are analysed and evaluated. As a large hotel within Germany is chosen, the energy cost pool is very high and further cost saving methods are introduced. Therefore the thesis provides two calculation examples for adapting a photovoltaic module for decreasing the high electrical costs, and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in order to lower costs for electricity and gas. As investments depend very much on the financial situation of the hotel, further best practice methods are introduced. Therefore the thesis provides improvements within the field of waste, water and electricity management in order to reach a green certificate.
The results of the calculations and methods for the selected hotel are clarified within the conclusion of the thesis. This part describes the authors approach as well as a recommendation for decreasing energy costs as well as increasing the hotel’s visibility by adapting a suitable certificate.
In order to get a general understanding about the current situation in the travel- and hospitality business as well as the negative effects of this resource intensive industry, the theoretical framework introduces the field of energy and sustainability. Based on the findings of the secondary research, this chapter begins with an overall definition of sustainability by focusing on the three pillars. As it is mandatory to know the composition of energy costs, in order to analyse the current situation of a hotel, the second part of this chapter gives an insight in the field of energy consumption. Furthermore an introduction of which certificates are currently recognized in the tourism industry is followed. Finally this part ends with possible energy sources and technologies, which can be applied within a hotel.
Within the empirical part of the thesis, energy costs of an existing hotel are analysed and evaluated. As a large hotel within Germany is chosen, the energy cost pool is very high and further cost saving methods are introduced. Therefore the thesis provides two calculation examples for adapting a photovoltaic module for decreasing the high electrical costs, and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in order to lower costs for electricity and gas. As investments depend very much on the financial situation of the hotel, further best practice methods are introduced. Therefore the thesis provides improvements within the field of waste, water and electricity management in order to reach a green certificate.
The results of the calculations and methods for the selected hotel are clarified within the conclusion of the thesis. This part describes the authors approach as well as a recommendation for decreasing energy costs as well as increasing the hotel’s visibility by adapting a suitable certificate.