Aris Papadopoulos, CEO of ZEB: “Hotels must become energy self-sufficient”

Recently, there has been much talk at global level about the circular economy and the benefits that will accrue to tourism from the adoption of this economic model.

What stage are Greek tourism businesses at?

Circular tourism has been defined as a model capable of creating a cycle that will produce destinations and services without wasting the planet’s limited resources of raw materials, water and energy.

With the implementation of the principles of the Circular Economy, the tourism industry has adopted key business actions and initiatives (circular entrepreneurship) in order to ensure the sustainability of all tourism-related businesses, to secure their competitive advantage and growth. All tourism activities and especially hotels should introduce circular models.

Although the circular economy has high growth potential and future prospects, the Greek tourism market is at a low level, as it lags behind in key areas such as recycling of municipal waste and the implementation of related energy-saving practices.

We know that the environmental, climate and energy footprint of hotels is high.

What is the goal to be achieved in the coming years and what kind of investments are needed?

The environmental, climate and energy footprint of hotels is high. Hotel units have several pathologies at the level of energy-intensive buildings, ageing shells, so that the energy needs of these units are very high.

The conversion of energy-intensive hotel units into ‘green’ hotels, through the energy upgrading of their buildings, will help to reduce the overall ecological and energy footprint. The aim is to convert them into zero-energy ZEB buildings, which will not only reduce their environmental, climate and energy footprint, but will make tourism businesses more competitive, while promoting environmental awareness among their guests and attracting environmentally aware tourists, while significantly reducing their operating costs.

Hotels should become energy self-sufficient and should operate to environmental and social governance -ESG – standards that should be circular (CESG) and extend circularity throughout the chain of activities, products and services to both their suppliers and their customers. They should evolve into ‘prosumers’ (producer/consumer) by investing in good energy management up to self-sufficiency. The aim is to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of hotels and tourist accommodation, consolidating and implementing the circular economy by adopting a sustainable and resilient business model.

What services can ZEB offer to a hotel in terms of upgrading and energy saving?

ZEB has the expertise and know-how, in order to work with the management of hotel companies to develop a comprehensive Action Plan and a corresponding timetable for monitoring the performance of the tourism business through a strong and effective system of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) of ESG, based on leading international standards. With its Sustainability Consulting Services (ESG)  it is a strategic partner of tourism businesses.

It supports carbon emission measurements through the Carbon Footprint system, and provides specialized Environmental Building Certification services through the systems:

• LEED Certification
• BREEΑM
• WELL

The services provided in relation to green building certifications are:

• Ensuring an organized and coordinated process green building certification
• Training and guidance of those involved.
• Coordination of all groups involved
• Coordination and coordination of the entire team

ZEB provides energy saving services through

Energy Performance Contract

 

Services include:

• The development, planning and identification of investment opportunities.
• The planning and development of funding for energy efficiency projects.
• The installation and maintenance of the equipment and maintenance required for energy efficiency projects.
• The measurement, monitoring and verification of the energy efficiency Commitment of the effectiveness of the intervention.ZEB, is able to fully provide all the required services to comply with the provisions of Law 4342/2015, on Energy Audits, as amended by the Law 4843/2021, but in addition has the necessary expertise and organization in order for this institutional obligation to become an energy saving lever for the company itself tourism business itself.

In order to meet the funding needs of the projects, the ZEB has created a specialized funding department to raise funds. Tell us a few words about it

In order to meet the funding needs of the projects, ZEB has set up a specialized Funding Department to raise funds and finance the investment needs that exist across the entire range of energy projects. This allows for the financial evaluation of investment plans in order to find the appropriate sources for financing energy projects. In particular:

Third Party Funding

According to 2006/32/EC: Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, “the use of third-party funding facilities is an innovative practice that should be encouraged. With these facilities, the beneficiary avoids investment costs by using part of the economic value of the energy savings resulting from third-party investments to repay the investment costs.” ZEB has entered into contracts with financial institutions and investment funds that finance the savings projects. In this context, the services provided are development and design of the financial model and fund raising.

Through funding from the Recovery Fund

ZEB undertakes to guide interested companies in the submission of integrated Energy Efficiency Investment Plans for their inclusion in the loan mechanism of the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF). In this context, the services provided by ZEB are the TECHNICAL DESIGN, the COMPOSITION OF THE INVESTMENT PLAN and the submission to the relevant platform. With a comprehensive package of services for businesses, we offer turnkey solutions by undertaking the technical study, financing and implementation of projects.

Watch the presentation of Mr. Papadopoulos at the 5th Hotel Tech Conference here