PIONEERING research by students from the University of Strathclyde has revealed that tri-generation technology (tri-gen) can be a viable option for the UK hospitality sector.
The ground-breaking project, conducted as part of an MSc Group Project by students in the University’s Department of Engineering in association with leading UK independent hotel operator Chardon Trading, involved a feasibility study for Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP), or tri-gen, at the Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland hotel.
The methodology was then applied to the UK hospitality sector through the development of a bespoke desktop tool for hoteliers to model their own scenario.
Through the integration of all work streams within the bespoke desktop tool, the researchers were able to determine that, if sized correctly, tri-gen can be a viable option and that future opportunities for tri-gen are likely to rise as building standards are updated and the need for cooling increases.
The research found that biomass CCHP below or equal to 200kW can offer hoteliers a lucrative investment opportunity and that carbon reductions from utilising CCHP will enable hotel owners to improve their green credentials.
Calum Craig, part of the University of Strathclyde research team, said: “Technological advances have brought once less conventional methods of heat and power provision into the mainstream and the placing of modern financial mechanisms have incentivised its take-up.
“There are now more flexible solutions than the conventional grid-based sources of energy provision. Variations on standard fuel types extend the potential pool of solutions open to current and future energy ‘supply-demand matching’ challenges, meaning that alternative ways to meet our energy demands are now very relevant.
“There is potential for significant financial reward available for hoteliers willing to invest in this technology versus the mainstream grid-based gas and electricity for space heating, hot water, electrical supply and light. Legislative drivers are encouraging investment in this area through incentives to use green energy and penalties for not recycling.”
Maurice Taylor, founder and chief executive at Chardon Trading, said: “This project represents a fine example of how academia and commerce can work together to create an innovative technological solution that not only offers the prospect for delivering real commercial benefits to the hospitality and other industry sectors, but, through its energy efficiency and green technology, benefits for society as a whole.
“We are delighted to have played a part in the development of this unique modelling tool, which we are presently deploying to evaluate the applicability of tri-gen throughout our portfolio of hotels.”
The unique modelling tool is available for free download via the Strathclyde University website here http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/12-13/CCHP/cchp%20tool.html A full and specific study should be undertaken to enable decision making.
ENDS
For further information please contact Maurice Taylor at Chardon Trading tel 0141 331 6814 or email Maurice@chardontrading.com
Issued on behalf of Chardon Trading by Liquorice Media tel 0141 297 1699. www.liquorice-media.com
Date: 10th December 2013
Notes to Editors
For a fuller understanding of the work carried out, the project’s full website is here http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/12-13/CCHP/cchp%20introduction.html
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