Energy and New Economic Approach for Nearly Zero Energy Hotels

Abstract

The paper addresses an important long-standing question in regards to the energy efficiency renovation of existing buildings, in this case hotels, towards nearly zero-energy (nZEBs) status. The renovation of existing hotels to achieve a nearly zero-energy (nZEBs) performance is one of the forefront goals of EU’s energy policy for 2050. The achievement of nZEBs target for hotels is necessary not only to comply with changing regulations and legislations, but also to foster competitiveness to secure new funding. Indeed, the nZEB hotel status allows for the reduction of operating costs and the increase of energy security, meeting the market and guests’ expectations. Actually, there is not a set national value of nZEBs for hotels to be attained, despite the fact that hotels are among the most energy-intensive buildings. This paper presents the case study of the energy retrofit of an existing historical hotel located in southern Italy (Syracuse) in order to achieve nZEBs status. Starting from the energy audit, the paper proposes a step-by-step approach to nZEBs performance, with a perspective on the costs, in order to identify the most effective energy solutions. Such an approach allows useful insights regarding energy and economic–financial strategies for achieving nZEBs standards to highlighted. Moreover, the results of this paper provide, to stakeholders, useful information for quantifying the technical convenience and economic profitability to reach an nZEBs target in order to prevent the expenses necessary by future energy retrofit programs.

Roles and functions of stakeholders in implementing energy retrofits in the hotel sector

“…Hence, this research used an in-depth qualitative case study to gain insights into the roles and functions of stakeholders throughout the ER project stages. As the hotels are among the most energy-intensive buildings, consuming large amounts of energy per unit surface with large use of fossil fuels (Nocera et al, 2019), during case selection, the focus was limited to hotel buildings. According to Sri Lanka Energy Managers' Association [SLEMA] (2009), hotels spend approximately 50% of their total expenses on energy and have an estimated energy saving potential of around 20%.…”

Assessment of Landscape Co-Benefits in Natura 2000 Site Management Plans

“…A discounted cash flow analysis (DCFA) was carried out in order to calculate the cost-effectiveness and the financial sustainability of actions to protect the natural heritage [123][124][125][126][127][128][129]. In this respect, two scenarios were assessed.…”

“…The discounted payback period (DPbP) is the number of years it takes to break even from undertaking the investment cost (I 0 ) by discounting future cash flows and recognizing the time value of money (r > 0) [124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136]; the higher the discount rate, the longer the DPbP. More simply, a payback period (PP) can be calculated without considering the time preference rate (r = 0) [137][138][139].…”

Life-Cycle Assessment and Monetary Measurements for the Carbon Footprint Reduction of Public Buildings

“…The previous topics can be developed starting from some considerations made in a previous experiment [91], concerning the behavioral pattern connecting individual axiology (private interest) and public ethics (common values) toward the joint objective of sustainability. In that experiment, concerning a more complex and articulated project divided into nine actions, the different performances levels of the actions allowed us to select and group them in several and differently cost-effective bundles, the results of which are worth considering for the overarching objective of sustainability.…”