Tourism and the demand for sustainable hospitality
Tourism is one of the most important industries in Italy, contributing around €200bn (10%) to the country’s economy every year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Powering facilities to satisfy travelers’ demands can be resource intensive, and to help meet those needs in a more energy-efficient and sustainable way, ABB has provided solutions to two leading hotels, both focused on improving sustainability in their operations.
Energy efficiency and sustainability combined with comfort
At the four-star Le Fucine hotel in Buttrio, north-west Italy, luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Opened in 2022, Le Fucine prioritizes circularity and eco-consciousness. ABB has collaborated with owners, the Danieli Group, to integrate technology that increases both guests’ comfort and the hotel’s energy efficiency.
The whole project was carried out with a view to sustainability and circularity.
Beatrice Nardini, Hotel Manager of Le Fucine
Entrance of Le Fucine Hotel, Buttrio 
ABB systems installed at Le Fucine Hotel, Buttrio
- Energy Monitoring: Le Fucine employs cutting-edge technology to monitor energy consumption. By tracking usage patterns, they optimize efficiency.
- Photovoltaics: The hotel harnesses alternative energy sources through photovoltaic panels, minimizing reliance on traditional power grids.
- ABB solutions: When it came to control systems for the automation and control of lighting and air conditioning, ABB solutions were chosen. These allow remote management, ensuring guest comfort and optimized energy consumption, while reducing energy costs.
Luxury facilities delivered with energy efficiency
Further south, in Tuscany, a spa resort hotel has also turned to ABB to renovate their electrical systems. The ABB Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager platform was implemented to allow real-time energy consumption monitoring.
Harnessing nature’s heat
The ADLER Spa Resort THERMAE is located in Bagno Vignoni in the Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the thermal waters on which it is founded are naturally heated, the resort’s energy demands are substantial.
The utilities are numerous and varied, ranging from pumping units to resistors that ensure the production and distribution of hot water and steam for swimming pools and saunas, to the classic large-kitchen facilities. There’s also electricity distribution to guest rooms, the communal lighting system and power supply of all the spa’s equipment.
Marco Arrivati, resort energy manager
ABB Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager: a smart solution
To address these challenges, as part of a renovation in 2022 of the resort’s electrical systems, ABB Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager solutions were used to manage the complex power requirements.
For efficient energy management we needed a solution that would give us the ability to monitor consumption through a cloud platform. We liked ABB's system because it allows customization of supervision screens with widgets and it is also easy to use.
Gianni Severini, owner of the Severini Impianti company
The Philosopher’s Cave: a unique environment
Among the more particular demands of the installation was electrical distribution to the spa’s immersive environment known as the Philosopher’s Cave, designed to allow meditation in cave-like surroundings.
With the ABB solution we can implement a plan to optimize energy use that will lead to significant economic savings and a reduction in environmental impact at the end of the season. It allows us to monitor consumption and better manage energy expenditure.
Marco Arrivati, resort energy manager
