Energy saving era in hotels with GHES

In the hospitality industry, guest satisfaction hinges on the quintessential quartet of comfort, security, digital infrastructure, and uninterrupted power. A generator-related power outage can impact not only lighting but also HVAC, elevators, card-operated door systems, kitchen operations, and critical IT infrastructure, damaging the guest experience and brand reputation. Therefore, hotel managers should prioritize the reliability of their backup power infrastructure, as well as the hidden energy costs and carbon footprint it creates year-round. GHES (Generator Heater Efficiency System) technology dramatically reduces unnecessary electricity consumption during generator standby, earning hotels both cost advantages and sustainability points.

Hotels, like strategic infrastructure, are protected against power outages by generators. Generator manufacturers require that the engine jacket water temperature be maintained at a minimum of +40°C for safe and trouble-free starting. Due to this requirement, engine block water heaters are on 24/7 in most facilities, consuming electricity. It is estimated that heating elements operate for approximately 6,016 hours per year across Turkey; this time is reflected in energy bills and carbon emissions.

Innovative Approach from PEMS: GHES

GHES is an intelligent heating energy efficiency system integrated into generator sets. The goal is to provide the energy required to maintain the engine jacket water temperature at the desired temperature at the lowest possible cost and emissions. In doing so, it reduces reliance on traditional electrical resistance, instead utilizing alternative sources such as existing or potential additions to your facility's heat center (boiler room), heat pump, solar collectors, waste heat recovery, and gas-fired water heaters.

Based on results from field monitoring and annual measurement studies, GHES achieved electricity consumption reductions of 30.61% for indoor generators and 27.7% for outdoor generators; savings reached as high as 41% in some areas. The GHES benefit list reports energy efficiency and financial savings potential exceeding 70% when considering the combined effects attributed to site, maintenance costs, remote monitoring, and automatic optimization between different energy sources. This wide range depends on the facility's existing infrastructure and energy prices; scenario examples are provided in the editorial table.

Up to 80% Savings for Multiple Facilities

When hotel chains operating multiple properties (city, resort, conference hotels, etc.) use GHES modules at scale in their generator fleets, savings of up to 80% on total electricity consumption and operational costs have been reported. This includes savings from using alternative heat sources instead of direct resistance electricity, as well as maintenance optimization and alarm-based fault prevention.

Thanks to the efficiency offered by GHES, energy savings of up to 80% are achieved; the investment cost typically varies between 7 and 18 months, depending on facility conditions.

GHES control units provide autonomous 24/7 management with advanced algorithms, distributing loads among different heating sources, maintaining generator temperature stability, and measuring energy savings. Users can monitor status via a web-based interface, while SCADA integration, SMS/email alarm notification, and detailed reporting simplify operations management.

Potential in Turkey

The total annual electricity consumption of generator sets used in our country is approximately 1.495 billion kWh. This consumption is equivalent to approximately 38.63% of the annual production of the Keban Dam. If implemented on a large scale, a significant portion of this enormous energy could be recovered, potentially creating billions of lira in impact on the national economy and the tourism sector's energy bills.

Environmental performance indicators (e.g., energy intensity/kWh per occupied room, CO₂ emissions per guest night, etc.) are increasingly being reported in the tourism sector. Reducing electricity consumption and associated carbon emissions through the GHES can provide points in sustainable tourism certifications (e.g., local green star programs, global sustainable tourism concept criteria). Measurable reporting outputs facilitate direct data entry into ESG reports.