On the 9th of July, KCP Network hosted an insightful webinar titled ‘Smart Energy Innovations for Hotels.’ The session brought together renowned experts in hospitality and energy management to discuss the critical importance of sustainability, the challenges of outdated infrastructure, and the cutting-edge solutions driving the industry forward.
With energy costs reaching up to four times their previous levels over the last five years, they now represent the second-largest operating expense for hotels, following staffing. This growing financial and environmental pressure has pushed sustainability to the forefront of industry conversations.
Craig Pavelyn, our CEO and Co-founder, explained how KCP recognised this need early on. “Energy is no longer just a budget consideration – it’s one of the cornerstones of sustainable hospitality. The cost of energy is only going to rise, so any tools we can bring to the industry to genuinely reduce consumption are invaluable.” Pavelyn also shared, “As a sector, we have to be realistic – energy is not getting any cheaper. We looked at how we could install something simple and effective, but also affordable to deploy at scale.”
Amine Zungi, General Manager of Radisson Blu in Nice, brought a valuable on-the-ground perspective. “Most of our businesses are still working on old IT models,” Zungi shared. “The hotels of the future must adapt.” He added, “The biggest challenge I see is infrastructure. We need to move away from old models – servers, BMS, PBX, even door locks – to solutions that are cloud-based and fit the expectations of today’s guests.”
However, Zungi also pointed out changing consumer expectations. Nowadays, tech-savvy travellers actively seek accommodations aligned with green hospitality principles. “For millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, sustainability isn’t a choice, it’s a requirement,” he stated. “Today, smart energy is an objective, not just an optional solution.”
At the core of KCP’s strategy lies our advanced Guest Room Management System (GRMS), which directly addresses these pain points. Cristian Leonte, Design and Development Director at KCP, explained the system’s key features and flexibility. “Traditional GRMS usually require complex wiring and significant disruption. Our wireless GRMS allows for seamless integration – even in fifty-year-old hotels – with absolutely no disruption inside the bedrooms.”
This cloud-based platform employs IoT technology to manage individual energy consumers, such as lighting, heating, and appliances, all through wireless modules. The system offers granular control – minibars, televisions, and even bedside lamps can be configured to conserve energy when a room is unoccupied. Additionally, integration with property management systems (PMS) such as Oracle allows automation of energy settings upon check-in and check-out.
“What sets us apart is our ability to automatically turn off every energy-consuming device when rooms are vacant. Operations teams aren’t burdened – everything happens like magic in the background.” He added, “If a socket ever fails, you just replace it individually, it’s low cost and easy – compared to the old centralised systems where replacing a panel could mean high expense and more downtime.”
By automating energy management, hotels experience significant reductions in operational costs. Pavelyn shared that, on average, energy reduction hovers around an impressive 38%. “We’ve had sites showing 35% to 70% in energy savings, with 38% as a steady average,” he said.
Meanwhile, guest comfort remains a priority. Rooms can be pre-conditioned at optimal temperatures before guests arrive, creating a welcoming environment while saving on unnecessary energy costs. Zungi attests, “The guest experience remains at the heart of it. The technology quietly works in the background.”
On a broader scale, the system helps hotels achieve substantive reductions in carbon emissions – an increasingly important metric in the push toward net zero travel. “Everything we’re doing is about making a measurable difference, not just to the bottom line but for the environment,” said Williams.
Looking ahead, Pavelyn revealed plans to expand KCP’s solutions with an emphasis on integrating building management systems to create holistic energy savings across entire properties. “We’re moving forward. Adding BMS integration is our next goal, so we can help hotels tackle even larger energy challenges.”
“As technology evolves, so must we,” said Leonte. “We continually adapt our systems to the needs of guests, management, and the planet. Our innovation never stops.”
This engaging webinar underscored the importance of collaboration between industry leaders, hoteliers, and technology providers in creating a more sustainable and cost-effective future for hospitality.
Ready to learn more? Explore how KCP Network’s commitment to innovation and practicality is providing hotels with the tools they need today to shape tomorrow’s greener industry.
Want to watch the webinar recording? Watch on our YouTube channel here: Smart Energy Innovations for Hotels.
Ready to start your smart journey? Contact us today to find out how.
