Improving energy efficiency in Crowne Plaza hotel

The Crowne Plaza hotel in Melbourne’s central business district has recently implemented the latest part of its wider sustainability strategy through the installation of a number of mySmart enGauge screens. These screens provide employees and customers alike with visibility into real-time and historical energy usage data from across the hotel. enGauge, a ‘sustainability indicator’ which allows the hotel to visually share its sustainability strategy, is provided by mySmart, a supplier of energy- and resource-efficient solutions for building environments.

Through animated slides, the enGauge screen displays real-time statistical data on the building’s use of energy and its carbon emissions, among other sustainability information. It also displays historical use and targets, as well as practical tips on ways to reduce energy usage. The information is provided in a simple format and segmented by various areas within the hotel, so it can be used by both guests and hotel staff to assess where they need to improve.\

Three years ago, the 4.5-star hotel was invited to participate in the Melbourne City Council ‘Savings in the City’ Waste Wise program. Since then, the hotel has implemented a number of sustainability strategies that cover all aspects of the hotel. The environmental policy of the hotel demonstrates a strong corporate social responsibility through engaging the supply chain, employees and management, as well as guest and visitor participation in selected environmental initiatives.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne is now internationally recognised with the Green Globe Bronze award status, a worldwide benchmarking and certification program which facilitates sustainable management and operations. Green Globe Certification Standards cover three main aspects of a sustainability program - environment and energy (70%), conservation (10%) and corporate social responsibility (20%). It was also awarded the Victorian state award for ‘Environmental Best Practice Hotel of the Year’ by the Australian Hotel Association.

Robin Power, Area Chief Engineer, Crowne Plaza Melbourne, said: “We have already had a great deal of positive feedback from our guests regarding our enGauge screen. As we live in an era when caring for the environment is important to most people, customers are pleased to see hard evidence that Crowne Plaza Melbourne and our own staff are very serious about reducing the impact that a building and business such as ours can have on our surroundings. Our employees also find it rewarding to see the results of all their sustainability efforts.”

Crowne Plaza Melbourne also uses in-room energy management solutions and digital thermostats provided by mySmart which enable automatic control of utilities including air conditioning when guests are away from their rooms. The ecoMODE, available on the Inncom e4 528 Smart Digital thermostats, provides guests with the opportunity to realise further energy savings over and above those achieved through the pre-programmed installed solutions. As part of the hotel’s wider energy-saving initiatives, these solutions contribute to a $50,000 saving in annual utility costs.

Scott Warren, Managing Director of mySmart, said the enGauge display was a catalyst for behavioural change: “The display options are such that the hotel has the ability to provide further information for various areas and functionality within the hotel. This can create healthy competition between different groups within an organisation, as they strive to reduce energy consumption and make a positive impact on their work environment. Employees are then more likely to maintain positive changes outside their workplace, which all helps - lots of small changes make the world of difference.”

The hotel’s culture has been improved through education and action by its management and staff to prioritise energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Since 2006, the hotel has reduced its energy usage from 267.29 MJ per guest night to 178.4 MJ.

“Crowne Plaza Melbourne is making great headway in the areas of power consumption reduction and many of our sister hotels are watching and learning from us,” Power added. “Having enGauge in our hotel is already creating interest not only from our guests; we are even getting subtle enquiries from other hotels and businesses, keen to find out our secrets.”