Stromfee AI for Energy-Efficient Cooling in Large Hotels in Mauritius: Application Examples and Economic Analysis

I. Summary

Large hotels in Mauritius face significant challenges in terms of energy consumption, particularly for cooling due to the high electricity prices and the tropical climate 1. This report examines the potential of Stromfee AI, an innovative solution for increasing energy efficiency in central air conditioning systems through anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and the intelligent use of storage batteries. Implementing Stromfee AI promises not only a significant reduction in energy costs and improved operational efficiency but also makes a valuable contribution to environmental protection. The report presents ten realistic application examples based on well-known hotels in Mauritius, utilizing data from studies of hotels in similar latitudes. Furthermore, the typical share of energy costs in the revenue of hotels in Mauritius is analyzed, and the potential of Stromfee AI to reduce this share is highlighted. Finally, important recommendations for the hotel industry in Mauritius are provided.

II. Introduction: The Energy Challenge for Hotels in Mauritius

The tourism sector is of crucial importance to the Mauritian economy. However, large hotels with central air conditioning systems have significant energy consumption, especially for cooling due to the tropical climate 1. In tropical regions like Mauritius, the need for cooling is particularly high due to high temperatures and humidity, leading to intensive use of air conditioning systems. Studies show that hotels have a high Energy Use Intensity (EUI), with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems accounting for a considerable portion of the total energy consumption 1.

An additional challenge is the high electricity prices in Mauritius 4. Compared to many other countries, electricity costs are relatively high. Commercial electricity tariffs in Mauritius are set by the Central Electricity Board (CEB), and there have been recent price increases that burden the hotel industry 5. The combination of high energy consumption for cooling and high electricity prices leads to a significant financial burden for the hotels on the island.

Given the growing global awareness of sustainability and the need to reduce the ecological footprint, the search for energy-efficient solutions in the hotel industry is becoming increasingly important.

III. Stromfee AI: An Overview of Energy-Efficient Cooling Solutions

Stromfee AI offers advanced solutions for energy management with the aim of reducing energy costs and increasing operational efficiency 7. The focus is on energy control, peak load management, and grid optimization. The core functions of Stromfee AI that are relevant for energy-efficient cooling include:

Energy Control: Stromfee Diary enables detailed real-time monitoring of energy consumption to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies 7. Through the continuous recording and clear presentation of all relevant data, hotels can precisely track where and when energy is being consumed.
Peak Load Management: By dynamically controlling energy consumption during expensive peak times, hotels can significantly reduce their peak load costs 7. Stromfee AI offers functions such as load distribution and potentially spot price management for this purpose.
Intelligent Forecasts: Stromfee's AI continuously analyzes historical energy consumption data to create precise forecasts. This allows hotels to dynamically adjust their energy consumption based on price developments and peak loads 7.
Automated Optimization: Stromfee's AI automatically controls energy flows and adjusts consumption to current conditions, minimizing manual intervention and maximizing efficiency at minimal cost 7.
Anomaly Detection: Stromfee AI detects irregularities and potential disruptions in energy consumption patterns at an early stage 7. This enables hotels to react in time before failures or higher costs occur.
Integration with Battery Storage: Stromfee can monitor and control battery storage systems 7. Through the intelligent use of real-time spot prices, the AI can help hotels shift energy-intensive tasks, such as charging batteries, to more favorable time windows 9.

IV. The Role of AI in Optimizing Hotel HVAC Systems

HVAC systems account for a significant share of energy consumption in hotels, especially in tropical climates 10. Optimizing these systems is therefore crucial for reducing energy costs in Mauritius. AI can be used here in various ways:

Real-time Adjustments: AI-based tools continuously analyze factors such as occupancy and weather conditions to adjust HVAC settings in real time 15. This ensures that energy is not unnecessarily wasted on cooling unoccupied rooms or overcooling during milder temperatures.
Occupancy-Dependent Control: By integrating AI with sensors to detect room occupancy, HVAC systems can be automatically shut down or put into a more energy-efficient mode when a room is empty 18. Studies show that this can lead to significant energy savings.
Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyze sensor data from HVAC components (e.g., compressors, fans, pumps) to predict potential failures and proactively schedule maintenance work 15. This minimizes downtime, reduces repair costs, and ensures efficient operation of the equipment.
Fault Detection and Diagnosis: AI algorithms can detect anomalies in the performance of HVAC systems by comparing real-time data with expected patterns 17. The early detection of faults, leaks, or malfunctions enables timely repairs and improves system efficiency.
Integration with Smart Thermostats: AI can control smart thermostats to optimize temperature settings based on various factors such as occupancy and time of day 16. This maximizes comfort while minimizing energy consumption.

The use of AI to optimize HVAC systems in hotels has significant energy-saving potential. Studies suggest that energy savings of up to 30% are possible 15.

V. Energy Consumption Metrics for Hotels in Tropical Climates

Hotels in tropical climates tend to have higher average annual Energy Use Intensity (EUI) rates than hotels in temperate zones 29. The EUI for hotels in tropical areas can range from 143.6 kWh/m² per year for one-star hotels to 621.14 kWh/m² per year for four-star hotels 29. Research shows that the EUI of hotels typically lies between 200 and 400 kWh/m² per year, with HVAC systems accounting for almost half of the energy consumption 3.

The energy consumption of hotels is influenced by various factors, including the size of the hotel, the number of rooms, the occupancy rate, the amenities offered, and the climatic conditions 3. Studies have shown that the average daily energy consumption per hotel room in tropical regions is around 30.24 kWh 1, which corresponds to an annual consumption of about 11,038 kWh. In comparison, hotels in Saudi Arabia consume an average of 12,000–15,000 kWh per room per year 13, while the average energy expenditure per room in US hotels is about $2,196 per year 31. A study in the UK found an annual electricity consumption of about 6,000 kWh per room in smaller hotels and potentially 9,600 kWh per room in larger hotels 32.

A significant portion of the energy consumption in hotels is attributable to HVAC systems, which can account for between 40% and 70% of total energy costs or energy consumption 11.

Table 1 summarizes the average annual energy consumption per hotel room from various studies:

Study/Region	Average Annual Energy Consumption per Room (kWh)
Study in tropical regions 1 (calculated)	11,038
Hotels in Saudi Arabia 13	12,000 - 15,000
US hotels 31 (costs converted)	≈ 10,000 - 12,000
Smaller hotels in the UK 32	6,000
Larger hotels in the UK 32 (estimated)	9,600

VI. Mauritius: An Environment of High Energy Costs

Electricity tariffs for commercial users in Mauritius are set by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and vary depending on the connected load 5. Larger hotels with central air conditioning systems likely fall into higher tariff categories. Electricity prices in Mauritius have risen recently, resulting in significantly higher electricity bills for many users 34. The hotel industry in Mauritius was affected by a 28% increase in electricity tariffs in February 2023 6.

A comparison of electricity costs shows that Mauritius, with about $0.13 per kWh in March 2024, is in the upper middle range . Compared to other island states or regions with similar climatic conditions and a high dependence on imported fuels for electricity generation, electricity costs in Mauritius are relatively high. This underscores the urgent need for local hotels to adopt energy-efficient measures to maintain and improve their profitability.

VII. Ten Realistic Application Examples for Stromfee AI in Large Hotels in Mauritius

The following ten well-known hotels in Mauritius with over 100 beds and central air conditioning serve as the basis for realistic application examples for Stromfee AI:

Table 2 lists ten identified hotels in Mauritius that meet the criteria:

Hotel	Estimated Number of Rooms	Air Conditioning
Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius 35	203 1	Yes 37
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita 38	136 Villas	Yes
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa 40	193	Yes
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius 41	71 17	Yes
Constance Belle Mare Plage 42	279 42	Yes
LUX* Grand Gaube 36	186	Yes
Long Beach Mauritius 36	255 37	Yes 45
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa 44	333 (306 Suites + 27 Villas) 14	Yes
InterContinental Resort Mauritius, an IHG Hotel 46	210 18	Yes
Sofitel Mauritius L'Impérial Resort & Spa 47	191 6	Yes

For each of these hotels, the following applications of Stromfee AI could be realized:

Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius: Stromfee AI monitors the energy consumption of the central chiller system. A sudden increase in consumption under stable weather conditions and occupancy could indicate a refrigerant leak. Predictive maintenance analyzes vibration data from the compressors to detect potential bearing damage early. If battery storage is available, the AI could shift charging to nighttime hours with lower tariffs and optimize discharging during peak load times during the day.
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita: Stromfee AI's anomaly detection identifies inefficient operating times of air conditioning systems in individual villas. Predictive maintenance analyzes the condition of fans and motors of the air conditioning units. With the integration of solar systems, Stromfee AI could maximize the self-consumption of solar power for cooling and store excess energy in batteries.
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa: Stromfee AI detects unusually high energy consumption in certain hotel areas, which could indicate faulty thermostats. Predictive maintenance monitors the performance of cooling units and issues warnings when efficiency decreases. With battery storage, the AI could optimize charging to benefit from cheaper night tariffs.
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius: Stromfee AI's anomaly detection detects excessive running times of air conditioning systems in unoccupied rooms. Predictive maintenance analyzes the temperature data of the cooling circuits to detect blockages or other problems early. With solar systems, Stromfee AI could prioritize the use of solar power for cooling.
Constance Belle Mare Plage: Stromfee AI analyzes the energy consumption of the various buildings and identifies areas with unusually high consumption. Predictive maintenance monitors the condition of pumps and valves in the central cooling system. With battery storage, the AI could optimize discharging during times of highest cooling demand.
LUX Grand Gaube:* Stromfee AI's anomaly detection detects inefficient temperature settings in guest rooms. Predictive maintenance analyzes the performance data of the air conditioning systems to determine the optimal time for filter changes. With solar systems, Stromfee AI could directly use the generated energy for cooling.
Long Beach Mauritius: Stromfee AI monitors the energy consumption of the common areas and detects unusual peaks. Predictive maintenance analyzes the noise level of the central air conditioning system to identify potential mechanical problems. With battery storage, the AI could reduce the costs for peak load coverage.
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa: Stromfee AI's anomaly detection identifies unusual fluctuations in the energy consumption of the entire resort. Predictive maintenance analyzes the efficiency of the cooling generation and provides recommendations for optimizations. With solar systems, Stromfee AI could optimize the feed-in of excess solar power into the grid.
InterContinental Resort Mauritius, an IHG Hotel: Stromfee AI detects inefficient usage patterns of air conditioning systems by staff. Predictive maintenance analyzes the operating hours of individual air conditioning units to plan maintenance needs. With battery storage, the AI could reduce energy costs by storing electricity at favorable times.
Sofitel Mauritius L'Impérial Resort & Spa: Stromfee AI's anomaly detection identifies unusually high energy consumption in certain suites. Predictive maintenance analyzes the temperature profiles of individual rooms to detect problems with air distribution. With solar systems, Stromfee AI could charge the batteries with solar power.

The potential energy savings through the use of AI in hotel HVAC systems are estimated to be between 15% and 30% . Given the high electricity prices in Mauritius, these savings can lead to significant cost reductions.

Table 3 summarizes the ten application examples and estimates the potential energy and cost savings:

Hotel	Stromfee AI Function	Focus Area	Estimated Energy Saving	Estimated Annual Cost Saving (based on assumed HVAC costs)
Shangri-La Le Touessrok	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Battery Optimization	Leak Detection, Compressor Maintenance, Peak Load Reduction	15-25%	Significant
Four Seasons Resort	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Renewable Energy Integration	Inefficient Usage, Fan Maintenance, Solar Power Optimization	15-20%	Significant
Hilton Mauritius Resort	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Battery Optimization	Faulty Thermostats, Cooling Unit Maintenance, Night Tariff Usage	20-30%	Very High
The Oberoi Beach Resort	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Renewable Energy Integration	Excessive Running Times, Cooling Circuit Maintenance, Solar Power Prioritization	15-25%	Significant
Constance Belle Mare Plage	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Battery Optimization	High Consumption in Areas, Pump/Valve Maintenance, Peak Load Discharge Optimization	20-30%	Very High
LUX* Grand Gaube	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Renewable Energy Integration	Inefficient Temperature Settings, Filter Change Planning, Direct Solar Usage	15-20%	Significant
Long Beach Mauritius	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Battery Optimization	Consumption Peaks, Mechanical Problems, Peak Load Cost Reduction	20-30%	Very High
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Renewable Energy Integration	Consumption Fluctuations, Efficiency Optimization, Grid Feed-in Optimization	15-25%	Significant
InterContinental Resort	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Battery Optimization	Inefficient Usage Patterns, Operating Hours Planning, Cost Reduction through Storage	20-30%	Very High
Sofitel Mauritius L'Impérial	Anomaly Detection, Predictive Maintenance, Renewable Energy Integration	High Consumption in Suites, Air Distribution Problems, Battery Charging with Solar Power	15-20%	Significant

Note: The estimated cost savings are highly dependent on the specific energy consumption and tariffs of each hotel.

VIII. Analysis of Energy Costs as a Percentage of Hotel Revenue in Mauritius

Generally, energy costs in hotels account for about 4% to 10% of revenue . For hotels in Mauritius, it is estimated that the costs for water and electricity together amount to about 7% to 10% of the total costs, with electricity costs accounting for a significant portion of this . Factors such as the hotel category, the occupancy rate, and the energy efficiency measures already implemented can influence this percentage 3.

By implementing Stromfee AI and the resulting reduction in energy consumption, hotels in Mauritius can potentially lower this percentage and improve their profitability. The energy savings of 15% to 30% in the area of HVAC systems estimated in Section VII could lead to a significant reduction in energy costs relative to revenue.

Table 4 shows the range of energy costs as a percentage of hotel revenue and the potential of Stromfee AI:

Metric	Benchmark	Estimate for Mauritius	Potential with Stromfee AI
Energy costs as % of revenue	4-10%	7-10% (or higher)	Potential reduction of 1-3% (based on 15-30% energy saving in HVAC)

IX. Conclusion and Recommendations: Leveraging AI for Sustainable and Cost-Effective Cooling

The large hotels in Mauritius face significant energy costs due to the tropical climate and high electricity prices. Stromfee AI offers a promising potential to address these challenges through anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent use of storage batteries to optimize central air conditioning systems.

Implementing Stromfee AI can lead to significant energy and cost savings, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to sustainability. The ten realistic application examples illustrate the diverse possibilities for the use of Stromfee AI in various hotel contexts in Mauritius.

It is recommended that hotels in Mauritius:

Conduct a detailed energy audit to understand current consumption patterns.
Examine the implementation of Stromfee AI solutions for their central cooling systems.
Consider investing in battery storage systems to further optimize energy consumption and reduce peak load costs.
Explore the potential for integrating renewable energy sources with AI-powered energy management.
Monitor energy consumption and cost savings after implementing AI solutions to track performance and identify further optimization opportunities.

By harnessing the power of AI, hotels in Mauritius can not only reduce their energy costs and improve their profitability but also make a positive contribution to environmental protection and strengthen their brand image.