Hotel in Spain Implements Integrated Solar & Storage System to Cut Energy Costs and Boost Sustainability

COSTA DEL SOL, Spain – A prominent seaside hotel in Southern Spain has successfully deployed an outdoor battery energy storage system as part of a broader strategy to reduce electricity costs, improve energy resilience, and integrate more renewable power into its operations.

The project, initiated in early 2023, was driven by the hotel’s management team seeking to mitigate high time-of-use tariffs and frequent grid instability during peak tourist seasons. After evaluating several solutions, the hotel selected an integrated outdoor battery energy storage cabinet tailored for commercial and industrial applications.

The installed system includes the following components, all integrated into a single outdoor-rated cabinet:

• Battery Modules: LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells, 100Ah each

• Battery Capacity: 69.12 kWh per cabinet, expandable up to 207.36 kWh

• Power Conversion System (PCS): 60 kW rated power, supporting both on-grid and off-grid operation

• Battery Management System (BMS): For cell monitoring and safety

• Thermal Management System: Separate air duct design with air conditioning for battery compartment and forced air cooling for electrical components

• Fire Protection: FM200 automatic fire suppression system (Novec1230/Aerosol optional)

• Monitoring & Communication: Built-in RS485 and Ethernet interfaces supporting Modbus RTU and TCP/IP protocols

• PV Integration: Supports up to 120 kW solar input with dual MPPT channels

• EV Charging Compatibility: DC charging pile interface for future expansion

The procurement process began in March 2023, with system delivery and installation completed by August. The hotel’s engineering team worked closely with the system integrator to ensure seamless integration with the existing solar PV array and backup diesel generator.

By September, the system was fully operational, enabling the hotel to:

• Shift energy consumption from high-tariff peak hours to low-tariff periods

• Store excess solar energy for use during nighttime or cloudy days

• Maintain power during short grid outages with ≤20ms switchover time

• Reduce generator runtime, lowering fuel costs and emissions

The hotel’s facility manager highlighted several deciding factors:

“We needed a robust, all-in-one system that could operate outdoors in a coastal environment. The IP55 rating, fire safety features, and ability to parallel up to three units were critical. The system’s compatibility with solar and future EV charging also aligned with our long-term sustainability goals."

The system meets European standards including CE (IEC 62619, IEC 62477), UKCA, and VDE 4105, ensuring safe and compliant operation within the EU and UK markets.

The hotel plans to add a DC fast-charging station for electric vehicles by mid-2024, further leveraging the solar+storage+charging capability of the system.

This project serves as a replicable model for other tourism and hospitality businesses across Southern Europe seeking to enhance energy independence while reducing operational costs.