CAE in the hotel sector: applicable datasheets and energy saving strategy

Why is the hotel sector a priority target for CAE?

The Spanish hotel sector is one of the largest energy consumers in the tertiary sector. With more than 14.000 hotel establishments in Spain, most of them equipped with climate control, lighting and domestic hot water systems that are over 10 years old, the potential for generating CAE is enormous.

Hotels offer several advantages for delegated subjects:

• High consumption: an average hotel consumes between 200 and 500 MWh/year, which generates significant savings per action
• Centralised equipment: climate control and DHW systems are centralised, making the D1 documentation easier
• Accessible decision-makers: hotel chains have receptive sustainability and maintenance departments
• Multiple applicable datasheets: a single hotel can generate CAE with 3 to 5 different datasheets

Applicable CAE datasheets in hotels

TER040 - Heat pump for climate control

Replacing the central gas boiler or old chillers with aerothermal heat pumps is the datasheet with the highest potential in hotels. A 100-room hotel in climate zone D3 can generate between 300 and 1.200 MWh of CAE with this single datasheet.

Typical saving for an average hotel: 200 to 600 MWh of CAE

TER030 - LED lighting

Replacing the lighting of corridors, rooms, reception, restaurant and common areas with LED. The number of light points in a hotel is considerable (2.000 to 10.000 light points depending on size).

Typical saving for an average hotel: 30 to 150 MWh of CAE

TER050 - BMS/BACS system (building management system)

The implementation of a building management system (Building Automation and Control System) that automatically optimises climate control, lighting and ventilation according to the hotel's actual occupancy.

Typical saving for an average hotel: 50 to 200 MWh of CAE

TER220 - Dual-flow MVHR with heat recovery

The installation of a controlled mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery in areas that require constant ventilation (kitchens, event halls, spa).

Typical saving for an average hotel: 20 to 80 MWh of CAE

TER140 - High-efficiency chiller unit

For hotels with dedicated chillers (climate control of large areas, banquet halls), replacement with high-efficiency equipment generates additional savings.

Typical saving for an average hotel: 30 to 100 MWh of CAE

Example: comprehensive project in a 120-room hotel

A 4-star hotel on the Mediterranean coast with the following actions:

• TER040 (heat pump): 450 MWh of CAE - valuation 57.375 EUR
• TER030 (full LED): 90 MWh of CAE - valuation 11.475 EUR
• TER050 (BMS system): 120 MWh of CAE - valuation 15.300 EUR
• TER220 (kitchen/spa MVHR): 45 MWh of CAE - valuation 5.737 EUR

Project total: 705 MWh of CAE, estimated valuation: 89.887 EUR

This example shows how a single hotel client can generate a significant volume of CAE by combining several datasheets. For the delegated subject, this reduces the client acquisition cost per MWh generated.

Acquisition strategy for hotel chains

Delegated subjects who wish to specialise part of their portfolio in the hotel sector can adopt the following strategy:

1. Propose a quick CAE potential audit: identify, during a visit, the 3 to 5 applicable datasheets and estimate the volume of CAE that can be generated
2. Present the total valuation: hotel managers are sensitive to the economic return of renovations
3. Manage the file from A to Z: the hotel does not want to handle paperwork, the delegated subject provides the comprehensive service
4. Scale up to the chain: if one hotel in the chain generates good results, propose the rollout to the other establishments