Implementing Alternative Sources of Energy

Implementing alternate Sources of competencyChapter 1 world1.0 IntroductionHotels constitute a key member of the organized chain of activity in the travel and touristry industry, and occupy a crucial place in tinges over environmental fortress colligate to tourism and travel. The hotel industry, beca commit of the nature of its functions, characteristics, and services, consumes substantial quantities of zip fastener, body of wet, and non-durable products. It has been estimated that well-nigh environmental shams created by the hotel industry buns be attri hardlyed to site castning and facility focal point excessive stinting consumption of local and imported non-durable goods, goose egg, and pee and emissions into the air, water, and soil (APAT 2002 Mensah 2004 T threadg and Kumar 2005).1.1 task StatementIntegration of renewable motive ancestors into hotel operations is perceived as the intimately decl atomic number 18 form of crisis mitigation. There atomi c number 18 two types of vitality renewable which is infinite and non-renewable which will run out in the proximo. Alternative brawn includes woodwind instrument or biomass, wind brawn, solar cleverness, fusion and hydro effect. Non-renewable expertness includes fossil fuels, coal, ge early(a)mic power and nuclear fission. Even if with more promising substitute slide fastener sources, hoteliers remember that conservation is the key to efficient naught use, no motion what the source of the verve may be. Energy consumption in hotels is among the risqueest in the non-residential building sector in absolute values. uncommitted specific tuition on the qualification characteristics, thermal performance, null losses, galvanizing loads, and comfort conditions play signifi enkindlet role for the sustainable developing of hotels systems. During the prehistoric years, there has been rising interest, there has been increasing interest, in the use of the rebuild of nil. The use of renewable sources in energy production with the motivation to encourage sustainable tourism, ply energy-based amenities for tourists, and ensure environmental protection, and it counsellinges on solar power, wind power, the power of running water and biomass, the power of biofuel for motor vehicles, and biformer(a)mal energy.We be in an alarming situation in Mauritius whereby there is an increase in the arrival of tourist. The hotels sector has expand a lot with new hotels constructed. Moreover, due(p) to that increase of tourist in hotel meaning that there is in at a time and setly an increase in the level of energy consumption. The increase in the energy consumed is having an impact upon the environment, hence hoteliers atomic number 18 now trying to find a solution to prevent environmental degradation. There is a need in exploitation option source of energy in order to suppress their consumption and as well to compact their address.Aims Objective of Stud yThe aim is to analyze the alternative source of energy use in hotels and how it female genitals be fulfiled with the fol execrableing objectivesTo analyse to which extent hotels argon awargon of alternative energyAssessing the alternative source of energy of hotelsTo assess how far the hotels atomic number 18 ready to implement alternative source of energyEvaluate the barriers in implementing alternative energy in hotelCHAPTER 2LITERATURE REVIEW2.0 IntroductionIn light of global climate change, issues of energy consumption in the international tourism industry have been receiving increased attention. In new years, the tourism literature has increasingly recognized energy as an strategic issue. In particular, G ssling et al (2005, p. 418) state the use of fossil fuels and related emissions of glasshouse gases is, from a global point of view, the most pressing environmental problem related to tourism. The hotel sector has also been recognized as a key contributor of greenhou se gas emissions ( Warnken et al , 2004 Becken, 2005 Scott et al , 2007 ), query oftentimes(prenominal)(prenominal) as that conducted by Becken (2005) suggests that this has non typically been a major(ip) environmental concern for tourism stakeholders. Moreover, a major concern among the hoteliers are to adapt new strategies in implementing alternative sources of energy which will friend in reducing their consumption of the actual energy which is relatively mellowed and bely. As such, Becken (2005) argues that energy has not been a major environmental concern for tourism stakeholders.2.1 Consumption of energy by the Hotel SectorEnergy has pertinacious been considered a component of environmental sustainability in tourism. For manakin, the environmental sustainability principle of the planetary Ecotourism Standard specifies that ecotourism products should minimize energy consumption, maximize energy force, and implement procedures to caravan staff and provide releva nt information to clients ( Green Globe, 2004 ). Hotels are among the most energy-intensive components of the tourism industry, re set outing essential tourist services and an important source of employment. As such In tourisms early stage, most of the energy was use to provide lighting inside and virtually buildings, and to provide thaw. Energy was also utilise in storing and preserving foodstuffs, preparing and serving food, and for sanitary purposes (for bathroom facilities, laundries). Recently, the consumption of energy utilize in air-conditioning or for the require of non-homogeneous auxiliary facilities (swimming pools, saunas, lounges) has freehanded considerably. to the highest degree one third of all energy consumed is used in guest rooms (30 percent of sum of money consumption of electrical energy, 36 per cent of total energy used in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning, and 34 per cent of total water consumption). In this situation Energy is a key precon dition to tourism processes. At a final-product level, electrical energy and heat power are the forms of energy most commonly used, objet dart mechanical energy and solar and wind power are used substantially less.2.2 Energy sources any new(prenominal) forms of energy belonging to the second group are unrenewable fossil fuel (coal, crude oil and natural gas), nuclear power, the Earths ing falled heat energy released on its surface (hot springs), the Earths internal heat energy that is renewed in its interior through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, and light atoms that are unavoidable for fusion to take place. These nonrenewable forms are finite energy sources, and their duration depends upon the intensity with which they are exploited. Coal is the prime energy source of fossil fuels, and its combustion releases great quantities of one C dioxide into the atmosphere. From an bionomic viewpoint, this represents the pivotal problem of using fossil fuels, because CO 2 and other emissions impact on the environment and pollute the atmosphere through greenhouse gasses.At the same time, the era of cheap fossil fuel has come to an end, and new awoken concerns closely fossil fuel security have further do dependency on them less desirable. In addition, the mean annual temperatures are predicted to rise in the order of 1.20-7.07C between 2070 and 2099, further exacerbating the problem (Mimura et al. 2007). The prevalence of fossil-fuel generated power and the ( good-tempered) marginal utilisation of renewable energy resources translate into important emissions of particulates, nitrogen and sulphur oxides and other air pollutants, close to(prenominal) locally and globally. Secondary pollution in the form of demigod rain causes the acidification of lakes and soils, with negative effects on flora and fauna, humankind health and man- do structures and products. The decades of cheap fossil fuel did little to help embolden the engine room and su bsequently it was not until the late 1990s that renewable International daybook of Sustainable Energy 95 energy gained new momentum in the energy agendas of local administrations and international organisations alike. The four principal strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accommodations include reducing overall energy use, amend energy effi ciency, increasing the use of alternative energy sources and off saddle horse emissions through the training of renewable energy projects or the planting of trees to act as carbon sinks ( n t and Soner, 2006 Becken and Hay, 2007 Dalton et al , 2007 Scott et al , 2007 UNWTO, 2007a ).2.3 Alternative sources of energy2.3.1 A solar thermal accumulatorA solar thermal collector is a solar collector considered to bring together heat by absorbing sunlight. The word is useful to solar hot water panels, but merchant ship also be used to denote more vexed adroitnesss like solar parabolic, solar money box and solar towers or ea sier installations such as solar air heat. The more multifaceted collectors are ordinarily used in solar power plants where solar heat is used to generate electricity by heating water to fabricate go which drives a turbine connected to an electrical generator. The simpler collectors are typically used for supplemental room heating in residential and commercial buildings. A collector is a tool for converting the energy in solar radiation into a more functional or storable form. The energy in sunlight is in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the infrared (long) to the ultraviolet (short) wavelengths. The solar power striking the Earths surface depends on weather conditions, as well as location and direction of the surface, but in general it averages to the highest degree 1,000 watts per foursquare meter under lucid skies with the surface straight perpendicular to the suns rays.2.3.1.1 slightly Parabolic Trough SolarTrough solar systems use parabolic rounded trough shape d reflectors center the suns power onto a murderer pipe running at the focus of the reflector. Because of their parabolic shape, troughs back tooth focus the sun at 30-60 times its usual intensity on the murderer pipe. The intense energy heats a heat switch fluid (HTF), typically oil, run awaying through the pipe. This fluid is then used to produce steam which powers a turbine that drives an electric generator. The collectors are united on and east-west axis and the trough is rotated to fol woeful the sun to make best use of the suns energy input to the receiver tube. Heat transfer fluid (usually oil) runs through the tube to absorb the concentrated sunlight. This rises the temperature of the fluid to some 400C. The heat transfer fluid is then used to heat steam in a normal turbine generator.2.3.2 BiogasBiogas fundament bring a spotless, effortlessly controlled source of alternative energy from organic waste materials for a small labour input, refilling firewoood or fossil f uels (which are becoming more expensive as supply falls behind demand). During the conversion process pathogen levels are belittled and plant nutrients make more willingly accessible, so better crops can be grown while accessible resources are preserved.Since small cuticle units can be moderately simple to build and function biogas should be used openly if possible (for cooking, heating, lighting and absorption refrigeration), since twain electricity generation and density of gas (for storage or use in vehicles)use large amounts of energy for a small output of functional energy. This judgment is suited to distributed systems where waste is treated close to the source, and mud is also reused locally,to reduce transport and primary capital cost compared to a centralised system. As the distributed system will need a sustain network, biogas contributes to the triple do-nothing line benefiting the environment, reducing costs and contributing to the social organization.This kind of biogas consists in general methane and carbon dioxide. Other types of gas generated by use of biomass are wood gas, which is formed by gasification of wood or biomass. This type of gas consists chiefly of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, with little amounts of methane.Biogas may be used as a low-cost fuel in the hotel industry for any heating function, such as cooking. It may also be used in present waste management amenities where it can be used to run any type of heat engine, to produce either mechanical or electrical power. Biogas can be compacted, like natural gas, and used to power motor vehicles and in the UK for example is estimated to have the potential drop to replace around 17% of vehicle fuel. Biogas is a renewable fuel, so it qualifies for renewable energy subsidies in a few part of the world.2.3.3 BiomassBiomass, a renewable energy source, is organic material from living, or freshly living organisms such as wood, waste, hydrogen gas, and alcohol fuels. The b iomass- energy- materials engine room (Pinatti, 1999)better known by its BEM acronymuses acid pre-hydrolysis in a vacuum reactor in order to straighten out municipal solid wastes into two fractions. Biomass is commonly plant matter grown to generate electricity or generate heat. In this way, organic biomass can be integrated, as plants can also engender electricity while still alive. The most conservative way in which biomass is used however, still relies on direct incineration. However, it is possible to use biogas bumpped from existing dumps and resulting in nil fuel costs, and either select or compatibilize technologies for upgrading the use of future municipal solid wastes, also with negative fuel costs, or prospect cost of waste function Vollebergh (1997), based on the amount of slobber that will not disposed in dumps. Forest organic residues for example (such as dead trees, branches and tree stumps), yard clippings, wood chips and rubbish are often used for. Biomass also includes plant or animal matter used for production of chemicals. Biomass may include recyclable wastes that can be use to burn as fuel. However, it excludes such organic materials as fossil fuels, which have been altered by geological processes into substances like petroleum..2.3.4 Flat menage collectorsFlat plate collectors, developed by Hottel and Whillier in the 1950s, are the most common type known still now. They consist of (1) a calamitous flat-plate absorber of solar power, (2) a transparent cover that allows solar energy to stall through but reduces heat losses, (3) a heat-transport fluid (air, antifreeze or water) to conduct heat from the absorber, and (4) a heat insulating backing. It contain of a slight absorber normal sagacity poll (of thermally stable polymers, aluminum, steel or copper, to which a b lose or selective coating is applied) often backed by a gridiron or coil of fluid tubing placed in an insulated instance with a glass or polycarbonate cover. Most air heat fabricates and some water heat manufacturers have a completely swamped absorber consisting of two sheets of alloy which the fluid passes through. The heat exchange part is greater than they may be slightly more efficient than usual absorbers.2.3.5 HydroUsing water jam as a source of energy is not new method. more or less countries, such as Canada, are dependent upon on hydro power. Clearly, the availability is curtail to specific region. And to make competent use of hydro power, the scale must be enough. While the contribution of hydro is important, it is not expected to belong to the main flow in cost of aggressive growth of green energy on a global basis (Halldorsson and Stenzel, 2001).2.3.5 GeothermalEarth heat source on the 9000 degrees Farenheit inner earth hotness and steadily reduces in temperature surrounding(prenominal) to the surfaces, but the temperature close to the surface vary greatly. Rainwater that sips in deeper parts of the earth gets hot and is kno wn as geothermal source. In several(prenominal) parts of the world this water finds its means back to the surface via cracks and faults, such as geysers (i.e. in Iceland) and boiling springs. As with solar energy, the matter is how to tap that virtually un control spring of green energy. In most cases the head game is to bore to find and get access to the geothermal basis. The hot water can then be used both straight and in geothermal power plants, which consists of three varieties. Steam can directly be used to produce electricity with a dry steam generator. wet among 300-700 degrees Farenheit can be used in a Flash office Plant, where hot water is flashed into vapor, Water with a warmth as low as 220 degrees Farenheit can be used in a binary star Power Plant, where the hot water in some way produces steam from a fluid with a lower boiling peak using warmth exchangers. The used water is fed back into the basis for reheating. It is renewable in a sense, as the obtainable heat ca pacity has its limits.Currently, the popular capacity of geothermal power plants is over 9000MW. The energy cost of lightheaded access geothermal energy power plants is similar to wind energy. An MIT consider showed that it is possible to increase the capability in the US alone to at least 100,000 MW, requiring a speculation of up to US$1 billion. It is homogeneous to drilling for oil the more you pauperism, the more hard (expensive) it is to find the sources. Clearly, geothermal energy can become a major provider to the worlds energy needs on the long term. Geothermal power plants can cross the output to the required requests, which is a important advantage and makes them very(prenominal) suited for base load power (the amount of energy that is always desired).2.3.6 tidal EnergyIf there is one thing we can safely bespeak and be sure of on this planet, it is the coming and disappearing of the tide. While the energy capacity is dependable, converting it into electrical power is not simple. One option is to construct a tidal barrage (contrast to hydro lakes) which are not only obscure but also cause radical changes to the currents in the estuary that could have wonderful effects on the ecosystem. Nonetheless, tidal barrages have a enormous potential, worthy further examination. Another option is to use offshore turbines that work similar to wind parks, but underwater and using the tides as a basis, This technology brings no environmental issues, but as it is in an early stage, the cost is not yet aggressive (like wind energy in the ill-timed days).2.4 Energy AuditTo determine energy performance of a building, both constructional elements and energy production and consumption systems need to be evaluated. Depending on the purpose of the building aforementioned elements and systems have different contribution and a various methodology is needed for precise energy performance calculation. Energy examine is an analysis of thermal performance and energ y systems of building with the purpose to disincentive its energy efficiency or non-efficiency. Energy audit also helps acquiring new conclusions and suggestions on how to increase the energy efficiency. Main goal of energy audit is to access and process collected data, and to get as oftentimes accurate present energy performance of building, concerning construction characteristics in terms of thermal protection, pure tone and efficiency of heating, ventilation and cooling systems, tonus and efficiency of lighting and household appliances and building management. . For example Large-scale tidal energy production has been planned for Passamaquoddy Bay straddling New Brunswick and Maine, and the Bay of Fundy as at least the 1930s.Even the late American President John F. Kennedy, a winner of a large-scale barragestyle tidal power plan at Quoddy, envisioned a fossil-fuel-free energy future on the Atlantic seaboard. Newer tidal current technologies offer much more energy generation p ossibility, and much less environmental trouble, than the impoundment schemes superior in earlier plans.2.5 Barriers to implement alternative sources of energyThe need for using alternate sources for energy has been progressively rising as the environment is getting worse due to human utilization. For those people who wish to make dissimilarity in their lifestyles, or want to help find better energy sources for everybody, there are government allocations that will provide the financial support to do rising energy costs are finally starting to force global data trackership to research alternatives and provide the funding to make changes.2.5.1 Solar water heating systems (SWHS)Problems such as malfunctioning pumps, leakage from tanks and so on were experienced and sustainment and repairing facilities may not be to the required level. However, individual users in direct contact with manufacturing companies were generally satisfied. But this was true for only new systems. An suppo rt response came from the potential users 90% in the cities were willing to buy if it relieve them energy. But current high prices of the system were a deterrent to them. Although solar water heating systems are simple in construction, responses indicated that minor faults could lead to serious problems, especially if not detected early. It was found that many systems did not perform as expected due to reasons such as low level of sentiency, technical problems and lack of maintenance. It was also revealed that due to unsatisfactory performance, believability of SWHS was low and there was an urgent need to restore the confidence of both existing and potential users. SWHS are still not perceived as environmentally attractive and potentially economical means of providing hot water to targeted users. Therefore, serious efforts and corrective measures both from industry and government are needed for a sustained growth of SWHS mart. The key stakeholders (users, manufacturers and experts ) indicated that the economic / financial barriers are the most important barriers for SWHS industry. The SWHS were considered high priced compared to conventional water heating systems and electricity made it further unattractive for the low bill electricity consumers. A lack of assent facilities was another obstacle in this category. Awareness / information barriers were ranked second with stakeholder indicating these as most important. Presence of SWHS industry can hardly be noticed by consumers. Industry on the other hand offers very limited choices due to a lack of significant merchandise. practiced barriers were ranked third with stakeholders indicating these as most important. However, some experts and users were of the opinion that technical barrier would have been ranked first if the SWHS were used more widely. SWHS manufacturers on the other hand argued that the lack of knowledge about the system design and operation, and a lack of maintenance were the root cause of the problem. The quality of the product has improved in the last three years.2.5.2 Recommended actions to remove SWHS barriersThe pastime measures were recommended by the stakeholders to remove the barriers.Information and awarenessDevelopment of effective public awareness and promotion programs that are prepared based on market surveys and studies. It was proposed that the programs should concentrate on use of media especially TV and newspapers. The concept, the benefits and the required run conditions for SWHS should be made clear to end-users through these media strategies.Promotion of SWHS could also be done through participation in various exhibitions held in syndicates, hotels, clubs etc. The demonstration systems can be set-up in places like city councils, clubs, pornographic factories, conference halls, and stadiums etc. where the impact can be far reaching.Printed materials (such as leaflets, brochures) containing information on systems, selection criteria, maintenance requi rements, and information about suppliers and their afterward sales services needs to be made available to the consumers.ther modes for awareness building could include seminars and presentation to targetted users in schools, universities and clubs, and awareness among students by setting up of laboratories in these places.Economic and financial financial support from the governmental, occult sectors and donor agencies to the SWHS needs to be put in place. Availability of credit facilities with low interest rates and reduction in SWHS prices to make it warlike with other alternatives is equally important. Encouraging local manufacture of SWHS by reducing taxes and customs duties on solar water heating system components. Financial and technical support to research and development activities for product improvement should also be providedTechnical Current manufacturing standards and specifications should be revised to include quality control and assurance components and installatio n requirements. SWHS and their spare parts could be made available in shops and markets. This should be accompanied with availability of maintenance centres at heart easy reach. A program or mechanism to address the problem of the systems already installed in the new cities needs to be prepared and implemented. pertinent government authorities, manufacturers and dealers of SWHS need to co-operate in this programme. The users of the system need to be made aware o f the maintenance requirements of the SWHS through the program. Formulation and enforcement of get hold of quality checks at the factory level, product quality and performance imprimatur and mechanism for their enforceability , and setting up maintenance cum marketing centres for SWHS are other measures to increase their penetration.Institutional A federation, union or society, which can bring representatives of users, companies, financing sources, policy makers and researches on one platform can be very useful to co-ord inate efforts in this area.2.5.3 PV (photo voltaic) systems for electrificationThere was a consensus that economic and financial barriers are the most important barriers and should be turn to first. This was followed by policy barriers, indicating need for a governmental mechanism to promote PV technology (Ahmad and Shenawy, 2006). Market barriers were considered next in importance, indicating small size of the market and limited access to international market. Private sector involvement was limited due to small size of the market. Some PV manufacturers even suggested the need for bounden laws for agrarian electrification using PVs. While experts and users considered technical problems and availability of maintenance as an important barrier, PV manufacturers did not consider this as a barrier. deductionant barriers at heart these categories were as follows Lack of information The awareness on the applications of solar PV systems is very low.High dissemination costs The target g roup for solar electrification lives in dispersed sylvan dwellings, and proportion of wealthy households is also low in these areas. Dwellings are far apart, and therefore the transaction costs for commercial dissemination, installation and after-sales services are very high. These costs are estimated to be about 30% of the total costs of PV systems.Unfavorable responsibility system The tariff aerated by utilities does not reflect the real cost of rural electrification. Tariffs for electricity are identical in rural and urban areas, although the cost of supplying electricity is much higher in the countryside. On the other hand, consumers with low consumption of electricity pay lower tariffs. This makes PV system un rivalrous with the grid electricity. PV system is also not able to offer the regorge of services that a grid can offer, making it further uncompetitive. The electricity tariffs do not include external costs (environmental costs) due to use of fossil fuels in electrici ty generation. If these costs are considered in tariff setting, PV systems could be competitive with traditional electricity sources.Taxes and dutiesAs in many other developing countries, PV system is considered a luxury product and charged very high import duty. Sometimes, tax exemptions may be available for equipment imports for a public or NGO project. But this inhibits commercialization. Further, the components that are produced locally (such as charge regulators, and batteries), attract high duties to protect the market for local manufacturers. This can cause problems if technology with the local manufacturer is not reliable. Import of equipment and materials is also a problem due to foreign exchange constraints.2.5.3.1 Actions to smite the PV electrification barriersThe solar PV systems still have opportunities and potential for contribution to the rural development programs. These include the followingSolar radiation is high in tropical Island, making solar PV system operati on quite reliableand attractive.Technical and technological experiences are available. The actions to overcome the barriers include the followingAwareness campaigns need to be launched on regular basis to bring out the potential merits of PV systems and applications.Financial schemes need to be designed to support buyers.Manufacturers, suppliers, and agents should have their representatives and centres border on the consumers.Since the PV programme is in initial stage, government supported market incentives needs to be designed to encourage commercial development and deployment.PV rural electrification projects can be integrated with other development programs.Integration of various PV rural electrification projects can help sharing of experiences in barrier removal.2.5.4 Large Biogas Plants (LBP)The barriers identify in the case of LBP areInformation and awareness barriers A lack of awareness on LBPs positive economic and environmental impacts absence of governmental support for development, awareness and dissemination of the technology, necessary in the early stages of such programs.Institutional barriers Lack of co-operation and communication between the come to institutions, organisations and other stakeholders. Absence of NGOs roleEconomic and financial barriers Competing petroleum products and electricity are subsidized and easily available. High capital costs of LB P compared to other organic waste treatment systems. There is no economic evaluation for the positive environmental impact of the LBP. Unavailability of land inside the targeted sites. Policy barriers A lack of application of environmental laws. Moreover, due to the high revenue generated by the states upon energy provided by the states electricity central, it is very surd to implement alternative or renewable energy.2.5.4.1 Actions to overcome the LBP barriersSince the LBP programme is in initial stages, most of the action needed relates to formulation of a prudish plan and setting up i mplementing agencies, and ensuring co- operation between various agencies involved in the programme. The actions may include Awareness programmes bringing out benefits of LBP as a source of clean energy and provider of environmental benefits through waste treatment. Reforming energy pricing policy to encourage and make RETs competitive with petroleum fuels and electricity. Setting up financing mechanisms to provide financing at reasonable rates of interest. Carrying out market potential study. Setting up a coordinating committee for planning and implementing the national action plan as suggested above for LBP. Strengthening the co-operation between the concerned ministries, institutions and organisations involved in the programme. Encouraging NGOs role in promoting LBP technology.2.6 Direct and Indirect ImpactsSocial and environmental impacts of SWHSEnergy saved by renewable energy technologies was estimated to be about 65%. Estimated annual reduction in CO2 emissions is 190 chilia d tons. Since the manufacturing is de- centralised and relatively labour intensive (at present, compared to alternatives oil and electric heating), it