Engineering & Energy Efficiencies

Time to save

If we saved energy the way to did money, India would probably be among the power-rich countries in the world. Priya Krishnaswamy looks at how hotels can do their bit

Among all operating costs, energy utilities are the most controllable, so much so that even new facilities can achieve savings of 20 per cent or more through energy-efficient equipment and practices. This degree of cost cutting can improve bottom lines, increase profits and put facilities in a more price-competitive position, allowing hoteliers to concentrate on other facets like guest services, etc.

Water, water everywhere

Traditionally, India depended on monsoons to meet its freshwater requirements, but groundwater has been increasingly used over the years. This has reduced the country's dependence on monsoons but at the same time has resulted in continuous depletion of groundwater. Water table reports across the country point towards an imminent water crisis.

In several areas of the country including Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, groundwater levels are dangerously low. There is an urgent need to address the issue of water management in a sustainable manner and sadly, the country still awaits a clear policy in this direction. In view of this, rainwater harvesting has become almost like an exhortation - the most sought out refuge to fight this crisis. In fact, the UN during its General Assembly in December 2003 proclaimed the years between 2005 to 2015 as the international decade for 'Water for Life'.

As a pioneer in saving this form of energy, in 1993, ITC Maurya Sheraton became the first hotel to start re-using its wastewater initiating measures to recharge groundwater and judiciously using available water supply from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Manorama Batra from the horticulture department of the hotel, says, "In the scenario of growing water shortage, our hotel has realised its responsibility in curtailing the consumption and effectively managing the municipal supply available to us." Water conservation takes a whole new meaning in Chennai. Sashikumar, chief engineer at Accord Metropolitan in the city, says that with water being an extremely expensive and rare commodity here, most hotels have learnt to deal with its scarcity. "We have realised that the only way to tackle the problem of depleting groundwater is by replenishing it constantly. This is why we have implemented rainwater harvesting in our hotel. Water collected through a drainpipe is sent to a filter chamber, which in turn helps maintain the water column. In fact, during last year's unprecedented rains, our water level rose by almost three feet," he exclaims.

Himachal Pradesh was the first one in the country to make installation of rooftop rainwater systems mandatory in all new constructions. Over the years, a number of states and cities have promulgated similar orders. According to the Tamil Nadu state government's directions, it is mandatory for every residential and commercial property to harvest rainwater. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has also made rainwater harvesting mandatory in new buildings. It also ensures that the cost of implementing this does not exceed one per cent of the total cost of the construction, thus ensuring economic viability. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had also announced that new buildings constructed on plots measuring more than 1,000 square metres be equipped with rainwater harvesting facilities. The two factors, viz 'use' and 're-use', are stressed upon in achieving water self-sufficiency. The way water is used and re-used (water purified within hotel premises) again is governing the water conservation roadmap of hotels. Sunil Kumar Dutta in the environment department of Uppal's Orchid hotel, Delhi, says, "We evaluate the effective conservation of water in all departments of the hotel across all levels. The extent to which water is recycled and utilised is also considered an important factor."

Too cold to handle

Usually, before hotels can reduce consumption, it is important to determine how energy is being currently used. With this knowledge, you can identify areas in which the opportunity to save is prevalent. Some major energy expenditures will include lighting for guestrooms and common areas, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and motors in equipment such as elevators. Energy use in restaurants, on the other hand, is concentrated in kitchen areas, although lighting consumption is also a major factor in restaurants.

Once the operation is in full flow in a hotel property, post construction, it becomes a difficult proposition for the engineering department to set up measures for energy control, whether reducing energy wastage or using techniques to capture heat generated thereby for further use.

HVAC consultants do suggest ideas that directly point towards having an integrated perspective at the table while deciding on the design and development process. This enables a planned approach in installing HVAC systems for hotel projects. Various equipment are also used keeping in mind the product design and the design system to promote better facilitation of energy usage. Dutta says, that while planning alone is insufficient, application is the litmus test. HVAC systems can be rated high for efficiency when well-insulated hotels install motion sensor along with automatic setback thermometer. Dutta avers, "The secret lies in the correct construction."

Installation of double-pane window reduces heating and cooling effects of the outside condition since energy-efficient windows help reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Insulation is another factor by which to save energy where thermal performance of walls is important. Solar panels have also been a regular source of energy, though not used conventionally. The Delhi government in view of the Commonwealth games in 2010 is making energy conservation mandatory in hotels, malls and restaurants. These include promotion of solar water heating systems. Even modern-day realtors install solar panels on rooftops; certainly the right way to go.

Let there be light

Oh sure, but only when there is sincere need! While demand for energy for the financial year 2005 was 5,75,384 million units, the demand met was 5,27,539 million units, with a shortage of 8.3 per cent. Efficient energy management systems are one of the most common methods that most hotels follow.

FHRAI, in its manual, has published how to streamline and present a benchmark against which consumption can be measured. The energy benchmarking software that was introduced to its members enables them to compare their hotel with industry standards. Venugopal, senior supervisor in the engineering department at Le Meridien, Bangalore says, "It is important to be aware of how much of energy is being consumed. Internal energy audits help us identify lapses and increase our efficiency all the more." He is also of the opinion that daily audits help in higher efficiencies. The Delhi government has also made mandatory the use of energy-saving CFL bulbs and solar power for heating.

Environment friendly

While hotels with the 'Ecotel' tag are trying to carve a niche for themselves, the certification requires adherence to the five globes - energy efficiency, water conservation, solid waste management, employee education and environmental commitment.

However, there are hotels even without the tags that consider protecting the environment their duty. Says Lemuel Herbert, general manager at The Park, Bangalore, "You don't need to have an Ecotel stamp to show your concern for the environment. Even our swimming pool that is temperature controlled uses LPG. This ensures that power consumption is low and fuel efficiency is high." Despite the fact that cost is another deterrent for getting the Ecotel certification (it is about 15 per cent more expensive than a regular hotel because of materials used), there are few pioneers who are have risked setting the trend. What is more of concern is the service levels, of course. Confirming this Herbert says, "Of course, the bottom line for any hotel would be ultimate customer satisfaction. The guest would remember only the extent of service that was rendered to them and not really the brand of the hotel. If we are able to emotionally satisfy the customer, then our day is made."

Conservation for the future

Energy labels on specified equipment/appliances, which provide consumer information about equipment performance, are an important tool for achieving energy conservation in the long term. This approach can be effective for consumer goods and appliances (refrigerators, air-conditioners, heat convectors). Labeling can have a positive influence on both, the buyer as well as the manufacturer. In a competitive market, energy labeling can act as an incentive for the appliance manufacturers to produce energy efficient products. Similarly, a well-informed consumer can take decisions about purchasing an equipment/appliance not only on the basis of the first costs but also based on the operating costs.

Since the occurrence of the energy crises, there has been a consistent increase in demand, and although there have been advancements in the efficiency of electrical equipment in the residential sector with the popularisation of new equipment, increase in the number of appliances per capita, increased usage time and the change in conditions of use due to people seeking a more comfortable lifestyle, there has been a subsequent increase in demand. Therefore there is a need for a more suitable management of energy demand of electrical appliances as well as measures aimed at new appliances.

The increase in floor space of office buildings and business facilities due to industry restructuring is a major cause for the increase in energy demand in the commercial sector. Compared to the industry sector which makes a direct connection between energy costs and production costs, there is not a high level of management awareness of the basic energy unit, so there are high expectations of further efficient use of energy based on the appropriate management of demand.

It is therefore important to promote buildings that fulfill the corresponding energy efficiency standards that were strengthened by the current policies, the promotion of use of a performance display system, expansion of inducement measures (expansion of an assistance system for houses, expansion of the tax system for buildings). Popularisation of the Home Energy Management System also helps efficiencies. Future-wise, education is the only key; where hotel staff as well as guests are educated about using energy efficiently.