Success Story: Hotels

I. CUSTOMER ENVIRONMENT / PROJECT CONTEXT

Customer profile:

Hilton Hotels is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels are either owned, managed, or franchised to independent operators by the Hilton Hotels Corporation. As of 2008, there are 533 Hilton branded hotels across the world. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast hotel chain of the United States in 1943.

As the first Hilton in Scandinavia - and the only one with its own runway - Hilton Copenhagen Airport caters to fast-lane travelers who demand the very best accommodations. Located only a brief stroll from the airport arrival and departure halls via a covered walkway, this new hotel features contemporary Scandinavian design and incorporates spectacular use of natural light throughout, from corridors to individual rooms.

Customer objective and constraints:

As a five-star venue, Hilton Copenhagen Airport could not afford to compromise on guest comfort. With conference facilities for up to 450 people, it is a popular place for business meetings and conventions. And because the hotel is situated at one of Europe's major hub airports, guest turnover tends to be high. This means staff face the type of difficult logistical problems that only a modern BMS can solve.

Most guests checking in to Hilton Copenhagen Airport are harried business travelers whose main objective is to relax after a long flight or a hard day's work. Therefore the hotel's owners wanted guests to experience a pleasant indoor environment immediately upon arrival and have the possibility of adjusting individual room temperature during their stay. With 382 rooms, conference facilities, a pool and a 24-hour fitness club, staff also needed a sophisticated monitoring and control tool that would keep different automation subsystems running smoothly.

II. SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation methodology (main phases):

Hilton needed to provide a comfortable, reliable indoor environment that would please even the most discerning guest. Schneider Electric worked closely with the hotel owners to design a building management system that would both live up to Hilton's fine name and keep energy costs in check.

Duration:

The project has been implemented in 2002.

Solution overview (services, products, systems, architectures...):

Hilton enjoys a worldwide reputation for first-class guest comfort and service. Since comfort depends greatly upon room temperature, Schneider Electric focused on finding a practical way to key the HVAC system to guest arrival and departure.

Using a LonWorks®-based Schneider Electric Vista system, Schneider Electric integrated HVAC control with the hotel's booking system to trigger an adjustment in heating and cooling when guests check in and out. This feature provides an efficient way of controlling energy costs for unoccupied rooms and allows busy staff more time to plan room preparation.

How did we estimate the energy savings (methodology, tools, ...)

For the Operator, the impact is both on Guest satisfaction and energy efficiency - It allows to reduce the HVAC when the guest is away, knowing that a change of 1 degree in the room allows saving 3% of the energy bill of the HVAC system. The system results in a minimum of 10% of energy savings on the electrical bill of the guestroom

 

III. RESULTS / ACHIEVEMENT

Customer benefits:

- Customer comfort through individual room control
- Integrated individual room control with hotel booking system
- Energy savings in unoccupied rooms
- Flexibility for future changes and upgrades

The building control system designed and installed by TAC contributes reliability and convenience to a pleasant and exclusive environment. Satisfied guests who return time and again voted Hilton Copenhagen Airport the best hotel in Denmark for 2002.