Evaluation of the renewable energy application in mediterranean hotels: Case study: The Balearic Islands` hotels

Abstract

The strategic changes in the energy management are usually increased after petrol crisis or policy changes. The Kyoto protocol and the increase of fossil fuel price make necessary a deep change in the design and the management of the energy facilities. Spain in general is living now these big changes, and there is an upsurge of installation of renewable energy sources. Hotels are high energy consumers in the tertiary building sector. Improved service quality forces hotel building facilities and installations to be maintained to the highest standards, thus renovations are becoming common to remain competitive. This offers great opportunities for promoting renewable energy sources (RES) and rational use of energy (RUE) in the hotel sector. The Balearic Islands have been one of the first tourist destinations; there are about half a million beds available. There is a rise in the number of hotels that, while improving the energy facilities, can supply a part of the energy consumption by RES, without change the comfort.