Green Tourism

The tourism sector consumes significant levels of energy based on both transport-related activities, such as travel to, from and at the destination, and destination-related aspects, such as accommodation, food and tourist activities. While the expansion of tourism resulted in an increase in fossil energy consumption and important greenhouse gas emissions, investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in tourism are found to generate significant returns within a short time.

Existing indicators focus on consumption, the use of alternative sources and the introduction of energy efficiency and saving programs. In addition, measuring the overall carbon footprint of tourism has become increasingly important within in the climate change discussions. However, measuring energy consumption in the tourism sector remains difficult and complex due to a variety of reasons, such as difficulties in capturing tourism´s indirect energy use from the construction of hotels, airports, cars and roads, as well as energy use in associated sectors, such as tour operators and their offices or travel to work by those employed in tourism.

Renewables are already the cheapest source of new power generation in most markets across the world. Cost declines due to technology evolutions and rapid policy advancements have triggered new investments, leading to further capacity additions and price drops. In the case of solar PV, investors and governments have come to expect continuously lower capex. In recent years however, as the technologies have matured, the capex of solar and wind has declined at a slower pace and become subject to temporary supply chain hurdles, such as the past year’s escalating shipment costs, rising module prices and escalating steel costs.

As the penetration of renewables increases, it is not so much about the cost, as it is about the value provided to the system. In a moment of high volatility, the predictability in operating renewables is valued. Financiers and investors also value investments in renewables as a step to meet climate commitments and de-risk portfolios. The consolidated banking experience with renewables, alongside a strong push for green financing, has also brought down the cost of capital for renewable power projects. Recent spikes in electricity prices have also improved the captured prices for renewables. These perceived values counterbalance the industry’s higher-than-expected capex and underpin the continued build-out of new renewables capacity.

Supply chain risks and increasing costs remain a major concern for the renewables industry, and companies throughout the value chain will need to mitigate and hedge these risks to remain successful. Despite these concerns, the value of renewables remains high enough to sustain a healthy growth rate of renewables additions.

1.1 Air conditioning

Heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for up to 50% of a commercial building’s energy use and dominate peak electricity demand.  Capital and maintenance costs for these systems also comprise a high portion of overall building costs.

Improving HVAC efficiency can therefore have a big impact on your bottom line by reducing energy use, maintenance costs and peak demand charges. It also brings reputational benefits through higher energy efficiency ratings.

A holistic HVAC strategy relies on an integrated approach to:

• reduce demand
• optimise existing systems
• upgrade to more efficient systems

1.1.1  Reduce demand

Methods to reduce demand for HVAC services include:

• improved building insulation
• high performance window glazing
• natural ventilation
• external window shading
• colour and reflectivity of external materials
• green roofs
• cool roofs.

Painting roofs white or with special reflective coatings to create ‘cool roofs’ can significantly reduce air-conditioning loads. This is especially so in hotter inland climates and for large, flat buildings like factories and warehouses.

1.1.2  Optimise

While significant energy and capital savings can be made through investing in new, high-efficiency HVAC systems, existing systems can also be optimised.

Many factors that influence the comfort of building occupants can be measured and optimised. Such factors include humidity, air movement and surface temperatures of nearby objects, like windows.

Some recommended practices are:

• altering control algorithms and schedule
• adjusting thermostat set points
• good maintenance
• minor mechanical repairs.

Optimisation can also involve a ‘night purge’ that reduces mechanical cooling by automatically flushing a building with cool night air using natural ventilation. This reduces HVAC operating hours and plant load.

1.1.3  Upgrade

Upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system can deliver significant energy savings over its 20-25 year lifespan. Due to technological advances, there are many more efficient options available.

At the point of upgrade, assess opportunities to improve performance across the entire HVAC system. This includes the plant equipment, delivery and emission system. Overall performance is determined by the features of all 3 sub-systems and their integration.

A range of more efficient HVAC systems, some of which use passive heat transfer or low airflow rates, can halve mechanical HVAC energy use.  An upgrade can also yield substantial water and trade-waste savings. HVAC systems are responsible for up to 30% of water use in commercial buildings. In more extreme climates, accurate sizing of the heating and cooling units can greatly improve efficiency. The best available reverse cycle air conditioners are 30-40% more efficient than ‘minimum standard’ models.

Some business models can address upfront cost barriers to investing in HVAC upgrades. These include energy performance contracts delivered by energy service companies (ESCOs) and ‘HVAC as a service’ business models. To read more, see the factsheet on overcoming split incentives.

1.2 Innovations

Advances in electrically powered HVAC systems, such as heat pumps, can result in significant energy savings and emission reductions. For some buildings, 100% electrification may not be viable. However, a majority of the heating load being met with electricity, paired with a small amount of fuel backup, can still result in big savings. The savings generated from HVAC electrification can be even greater when combined with onsite renewable energy generation.

In addition to potential energy savings, there is growing recognition of the health and productivity benefits of indoor air quality management. This includes mitigating the spread of airborne contaminants and disease through ventilation systems. The market for indoor air purification devices is expanding and, by reducing outside fresh air requirements, could contribute to lower overall HVAC energy use.

Rooftop-packaged air conditioners are becoming more common, although many operate at part load where they are less efficient than at full load. Rooftop-packaged air conditioners can incorporate advanced features that improve part load efficiency, reliability, and reduce energy consumption by about 17%. These features include:

• variable speed fans with greater control
• inverter controls to vary output
• economisers such as ventilation lockout during start-up
• demand controlled ventilation
• evaporative pre-cooling of the condenser unit
• superior monitoring and diagnostics using advanced sensors.

Active solar thermal systems capture solar radiation by heating and storing fluid in a collector. In space heating and cooling applications, the heat is transferred indirectly via a heat exchanger. In other applications, the hot fluid may be used directly. Active solar thermal systems do not require energy infrastructure and generate low or no carbon emissions. Since periods of incident solar radiation and cooling loads coincide, solar cooling reduces peak demand.

Computer technologies continue to enhance HVAC system efficiency, reliability and intelligence. They also assist integration with other building services. Accurate and reliable measurements enable efficient HVAC tuning and operation. Intelligent controls allow post-failure assessment and can provide predictive diagnostics and maintenance advice.

UV treatment of return air can deliver a high standard of air quality while reducing the dependence on outdoor supply. It also reduces fouling of fans and heat exchangers.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants have a high global warming potential (GWP) and have largely been phased out in Australia. A regulated phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is underway worldwide as these refrigerants have high GWP. Many new refrigerants will be based on ammonia or CO2. Ask your service provider about the best products for efficiency and environmental performance.

1.3 Building management systems

A building management system (BMS) provides automated control of energy efficiency and occupant comfort from a single digital interface. BMS monitors and controls electrical and mechanical services, such as HVAC and lighting. It can also incorporate services such as security, access control, elevator and safety systems.

Depending on specific application and configuration, a BMS may be known as a:

• building automation systems (BAS)
• building management and control system (BMCS)
• building energy management system (BEMS).

A BMS can be procured as a complete package or as an add-on to existing systems. BMS applications are based on open communications protocols and are web-enabled, for the integration of systems from multiple vendors.

Compared with separate control systems, a BMS offers centralised control, flexibility, interactivity and feedback. A new BMS should be an essential consideration of any major building fit-out or plant upgrade. A BMS older than 10 years is likely to benefit from an upgrade or replacement.

Main reasons to consider upgrading:

• reliability issues
• poor condition of components
• lack of web compatibility
• difficulty with incorporating new equipment and sensor
• ability to perform monitoring and reporting.

A new BMS should be closely monitored and fine-tuned for at least 12 months. A system may initially perform badly due to poor commissioning. Control loop tuning will ensure equipment operates in a stable, predictable and repeatable manner.

Specifications should include:

• a requirement for the BMS contractor to regularly run diagnostics
• assessment of energy-use trends
• reporting against targeted NABERS ratings.

Further energy-saving strategies can include:

• accurate control of comfort conditions
• precise start-up and run times
• economy cycle including CO2 occupancy control
• removing overlap between systems, such as HVAC
• adjusting for seasonal conditions, including variable plant sequence selection
• air pressure and coolant temperature control.

To get the most out of a BMS, correct location and calibration of sensors is crucial. This ensures the BMS is responding to accurate readings at all times.

A BMS enables early identification of equipment failure. Buildings can become less efficient as operational patterns change and equipment performance declines. A BMS can implement diagnostics for most HVAC components, and detect when a component is starting to fail. Operators can be alerted to commence preventative maintenance.

BMS equipment suppliers offer an ever-increasing range of communication protocol options, including open source and IP-enabled systems. BMS components can be interfaced to a variety of devices and systems, including Industry 4.0 platforms.

Opportunities to implement a BMS have been enhanced through internet connectivity. Communication between devices or complete systems over a data network is replacing hard-wired connections. Recent developments in wireless energy harvesting is enabling a new generation of sensors that gain energy from ambient sources.

A BMS can reduce maximum demand charges, which make up a sizeable portion of many business’ energy bills. A BMS can anticipate high building loads and allow appropriate adjustments to avoid maximum demand threshold levels. A web-enabled BMS can anticipate favourable or extreme weather conditions and adjust HVAC sequences for the most efficient outcome. For example, if the BMS anticipates a hotter than normal day, it can automatically pre-cool the building to take advantage of off-peak energy.

The flexibility and cross-compatibility of BMS components allows multiple aspects of a business to be coordinated more effectively. For example, a BMS can feed into accounting and resource planning, or interface with entire facility management systems.

Building information modelling (BIM) is a 3D imaging process used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to collaboratively plan, design, construct, and manage buildings. Integrating a BMS with a BIM allows a proposed design to be simulated and refined prior to construction.

1.4 Lighting

Lighting can consume up to 40% of energy in commercial premises, depending on the nature of the business and type of lighting used. The biggest impacts on electric lighting requirements and design come from the architectural orientation, massing, ceiling height, and section profiles that determine daylight availability in a building.

Lighting designers should be involved early in the design process of new buildings or retrofits. A good energy-efficient lighting strategy relies on an integrated approach.

Many lighting efficiency opportunities can be easily implemented with little or no capital investment or any need to redesign a lighting system. These include turning lights off manually or automatically when not needed, or removing excess lamps from over-lit areas.

There are excellent opportunities for energy saving whenever upgrades or refurbishments are planned. Options for upgrading energy-efficient lighting can be applied to all types of commercial, industrial and service facilities, and may include replacing light fittings and lamps, optimising lighting layout, and adding more circuits and switches for greater control and automation.

LEDs. Old-style incandescent (including halogen) bulbs are highly inefficient, burning most of the energy they use as wasted heat. This also makes them a fire risk. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) use up to 75% less energy and emit 90% less CO2 than the old halogens. They also last up to 25 times as long which greatly reduces the need for changing or maintenance. This is especially useful where fittings are difficult to access. LEDs generate less heat than halogens meaning the load on air conditioning is reduced. They also emit 50% less CO2 than compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and, unlike CFLs, don’t contain toxic mercury.

Daylighting. Good lighting design includes consideration of daylighting, the admission of natural light. Window design must strike a balance between the admission of daylight and not allowing harsh, direct sunlight into the eyes of workers or reflected glare from surfaces. Heat levels from direct sun also need to be controlled. Curtains and shades should always be used in conjunction with daylighting strategies. A daylight-optimised building footprint is essential for new building designs. For many buildings, there are several effective measures to maximise natural lighting indoors:

Occupancy/motion sensors. An occupancy sensor (a type of motion sensor) detects when a room or area is occupied and when it becomes vacant. Lighting is adjusted accordingly. This offers hands-free convenience and substantial energy savings. Occupancy sensors are ideal for meeting rooms, storage and print rooms, and bathroom facilities. Outdoor motion activated lights illuminate an area when people approach or enter it, such as a carpark or building entrances. Along with the energy benefits, motion-activated lights provide convenience, safety and added security.

Timer controls. Timer controls do not respond to changes in occupancy but are instead pre-set based on the expected use of rooms. This is useful when room occupancy times are consistent and predictable. Lighting timers can be manually operated or automated. Manual timers are plug-in units that are adjusted to set lighting times. Automated timers are generally in-wall programmable digital units that can be integrated with a building management system (BMS).

Electrodeless induction lamp and LEDs. The induction lamp’s main advantages are long life, ease of replacement and low maintenance. These lamps have mostly been applied where high lamp replacement is difficult and expensive. The efficiency of induction lamps range from about 56lm/W to 80lm/W. This is less impressive than some LEDs (90lm/W or more) which are also claiming equivalent lamp life and lower long-term capital costs. As LEDs further improve in power output and live up to the predictions of lamp life, they can be expected to compete increasingly successfully with induction lamps.

Smart pole street lighting. LED smart poles are already in use in many cities around the world. The poles are operated via a centralised online hub to remotely control and monitor street lighting and other services. Automated sensors detect ambient local conditions, such as visibility, traffic and weather. The poles integrate with the Internet of Things (IoT) cyberscape.

Daylight response. Daylight response or ‘harvesting’ technology uses photosensors to instantly adjust output in response to available ambient light. This technology is available as an integrated feature in common LED fittings, including for factory high bay lamp types. Daylight response ensures productive levels are maintained perfectly and energy costs are minimised.

 

Summary Energy technology is the key driver in improving the eco-efficiency of the tourism sectors. Specifically, the structure effect and energy technology effect have a significantly positive effect on the eco-efficiency of tourism hotels. The structure effect and energy technology effect influence the eco-efficiency of travel agencies too.  The structure effect, scale effect and energy technology effect influence the eco-efficiency of scenic spots with respect to both direct and total carbon emissions. Nowadays, energy-consumption reduction strategies are still more used than alternative energy sources; therefore, conceiving a building in a modern, more sustainable way is still the best choice for Tourism Business. Questions for reflection ·         Are energy-saving strategies easy to afford? ·         How to access funds and financial support to implement them?