ENERGY
REVIEWING RENEWABLE ENE
In an era where ‘carbon footprint’ is the relevant to businesses that propose to KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN
new ‘green’, renewable energy has stay in the same premises for a long INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
become a buzz word among politicians time. TECHNOLOGY (OPTION 2)
and industry commentators. It can also be 3) Investment in ‘green’ or renewable Investment required – although some
a surprisingly attractive option for energy from an energy provider. This companies offer favourable deals, you
hospitality businesses, in some cases may involve simply switching your will need to pay for the technology up
competing on cost with energy derived electricity contract from your current front. The only exception is combined
from fossil fuels. Future predictions about provider to a renewable tariff (which heat and power (CHP) units where
energy costs demonstrate only one thing – will generally be slightly more some attractive “lease” deals are
that the market will continue to be volatile. expensive) or it may involve available.
For businesses with no plans to negotiating a long term energy supply Payback – the only renewable energy
relocate in the foreseeable future, and for deal with an organisation that installs technologies that are likely to provide
whom stability of energy cost is more wind turbines on your site to generate a payback in under five years, at
important than the risk involved in energy over a long period of time). current energy prices, are solar
negotiating energy packages in a Switching to a renewable tariff is not thermal systems which pre-heat water
fluctuating market, renewable energy may always the easiest option for some and some high efficiency boilers,
be the best option. For other businesses, businesses (most providers have a fuelled by biomass (but only if you
there are some renewable energy waiting list for commercial customers); have an ample supply of cheap or
technologies that deliver surprising good an alternative is to choose a free wood chip on site). The
performance and – in the current climate mainstream provider who uses an exception to this rule is businesses that
of high energy costs – offer relatively energy mix with a higher proportion have (relatively expensive) electric
favourable pay back periods. of renewable energy (see space or water heating. The
In the context of an increasing raft of www.electricityinfo.org/suppliers.php Government also considers CHP
regulations from the EU, governing how – the fuel mix may vary for systems as “renewable” technologies
energy is traded (and introducing carbon non-domestic supply, but this website (even though they are often powered
trading for large energy consumers), taxed has some information on that too). by gas) and these can also deliver
and how building energy consumption is significant short term savings for
managed, renewable energy is becoming IS THE RENEWABLE OPTION businesses with a consistent demand
increasingly attractive to a wide range of FOR YOU? for heat.
businesses, from car manufacturers to Most businesses do not select the Maintenance – if your business does
hospitality outlets. renewable option for purely financial not have easy access to an engineer,
reasons and if your motivation is purely then you would be best placed to
WHAT ARE RENEWABLES? financial, you may find that renewables negotiate an agreement with a
The term “renewable energy” generally are not for you. If, however, cost is just business that will both install, operate
refers to the use of wind, hydro electric, one element of a wider range of factors, and maintain any equipment for you.
biomass, ground heat, solar or wave you may find a solution that works for you. Replacement and Refurbishment –
energy. Renewable energy is only You need to consider which of the bear in mind that some technologies
generally available in a form that replaces following are most important when (for example solar hot water heating
electricity and water heating (although selecting renewable energy for your systems) will be most effective if they
there are some small scale bio-gas business: are installed as a part of a boiler or
projects). There are three ways of Long term stability in the price I heating system overhaul, and so can
harnessing renewable energy: pay for my energy – investigate option only really be considered as a part of
1) The use of natural energy in a passive 2 above. a refit.
way (using the power of the sun for Image of the business – choose
space heating or lighting, or the wind option 3, but ensure that the provider INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
for ventilation). All businesses can is expanding the proportion of energy TECHNOLOGIES ON SITE
take advantage of this to some extent, it provides via renewable sources, There are a wide range of different
and advice on its use is becoming thus supplementing the supply. renewable energy technologies available
increasingly widespread. Personal/management commitment to for businesses. Although very few of them
Furthermore, all new buildings should renewables. Any renewable energy have a proven track record in the
be designed with this in mind. choice will demonstrate the hospitality sector, this does not mean that
2) The use of small scale site-based commitment of the management. they should be dismissed. The
technologies that harness sun or wind However investment in photovoltaic or technologies (aside from passive
power, or use biomass fuel. other technologies that generate techniques) which have proven their
This will generally require investment energy on site and that sell surplus credibility and viability in our sector
in some form of infrastructure (e.g. back to the grid will almost certainly include:
solar panels, small scale wind have greater PR credentials than Solar thermal systems that use the
turbines or wood chip boilers) and buying on a renewable tariff. power of the sun to heat or pre-heat
involve consultation with planners. Once you have decided why you are hot water. In some areas, these
With a few notable exceptions, these choosing to purchase renewable energy, it systems can provide for a high
technologies have a high installation is relatively easy to identify the right proportion of guest hot water needs,
cost and relatively long pay back technologies for your business. but they must be supported by
periods. They are, therefore, most appropriate mechanical backup (a
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SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
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