As the hospitality industry shifts towards sustainability, hotels and restaurants are adopting energy efficiency initiatives to attract eco-conscious customers and reduce their carbon footprint.
The business world’s increasing attention to sustainability and transition to clean energy is transforming the way organizations and consumers choose their partners, products, and services.
As a result, more businesses are selecting environmentally sustainable establishments that use clean energy and feature efficient technological services.
Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process, system, or state over time.
In environmental terms, it means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Key aspects of sustainability include reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and mitigating climate change.
According to the United Nations, 67% of greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production and consumption.
Implementing sustainable practices can have significant economic benefits, with studies showing a return on investment of up to 10:1.
Tourists and Business Travelers Demand Sustainable Accommodations
Tourists and business travelers are increasingly switching to electric vehicles (EVs), and many are selecting their accommodations and restaurants based on whether these establishments offer on-site infrastructure that supports their environmental awareness and goals, as well as their vehicles.
The hospitality sector has a sustainable-infrastructure gap it needs to close.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, driven by growing concerns about climate change and air pollution.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), EVs accounted for over 2 million sales in 2020, up from just 17,000 in 2010.
The global EV market is expected to reach 14 million units by 2025, with China, the 'United States' and 'Europe' leading the charge.
EVs offer several benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and improved energy efficiency.
Closing the Sustainability Gap
To better serve customers, cut energy costs, and both improve their reputation and increase their revenue, more hotels and restaurants are choosing to install accessible EV charging points; upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; and adopt photovoltaic and solar energy-production systems that help them cut their carbon emissions and increase their energy independence.
Energy efficiency refers to the practice of minimizing energy consumption while maintaining or enhancing productivity.
It involves using technologies and strategies that reduce energy waste, optimize energy usage, and promote sustainable practices.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings can be made 30% more energy-efficient with simple upgrades like LED lighting and smart thermostats.
Additionally, incorporating renewable energy sources like solar and wind power can significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The Benefits of Sustainable Infrastructure
Making these changes may seem simpler in theory than in practice. Hospitality businesses may find high energy prices and a complex landscape of energy providers difficult, expensive roadblocks to their sustainability goals.
Businesses trying to navigate this energy marketplace call for external experts to help them develop customized strategies for choosing the optimal technology and infrastructure and attending to administrative needs so they can focus on serving their customers.
Taking Charge with Charging Stations
The optimal choice of EV infrastructure can build long-term loyalty and reputation among its customers as a sustainability pioneer.
By installing or upgrading EV charging stations accessible to both guests and the local community, a hospitality organization can attract partnerships with organizations that manage employee-driven EV fleets while differentiating itself from its competitors as a sustainability leader.
Energy Efficiency and Power
For any service-oriented business, energy efficiency is smart strategy.
The ideal approach entails infrastructure and tools that help manage customers’ and employees’ comfort in an indoor environment while cutting carbon consumption and energy expenses.
Hospitality businesses can boost their on-site energy efficiency in several ways: adopting HVAC systems to minimize consumption, installing LED lighting systems with sensors and dimmers to improve visibility and light dispersion, and using remote management software to monitor and optimize air-conditioning in real time.
Reliability and Sustainability
One key to an organization’s energy efficiency and reliability is the ability to adjust voltage based on its needs.
Voltage optimization is a technique for reducing the absorption of active and reactive power and preventing surges of high voltage that can damage equipment.
By installing photovoltaic infrastructure, an organization can become a ‘prosumer,’ consuming only the energy it needs and returning surplus energy to the grid for others to use.
Sustainability on Display
Sustainability and innovation are key drivers in the hospitality sector, where differentiation is essential to meet the expectations of an increasingly specific and demanding market.
Adopting an energy transition approach is now a strategic imperative, both to attract eco-conscious customers and to offer a service that is increasingly tailored to the needs of guests.
By choosing a one-stop-shop energy partner to provide all the vital infrastructure, technology, resources, and consulting expertise, an organization can build its optimized infrastructure to maximize energy efficiency in plain view of its customers and community—a measure that can also boost revenue and reputation.
Learn more about how Enel’s Set & Charge charging stations can help your organization strengthen its sustainability strategy.
