Issue 003/February 2013

FOOTPRINTs

an Earth Walkers publication

RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCIES

Innovations in Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiencies to Look Out for in 2013 Hotels are considered large consumers of energy not only in building construction but also as establishments with complex installations. They provide guests with high levels of multi-facetted comfort and exclusive amenities, treatment and facilities. The energy used in hotels is predominantly fossil fuel based. A significant amount of the energy used is wasted leaving ample room for intelligent measures of energy efficiency and conservation. A truly sustainable hotel must not only consider ways to use energy wisely, but should also consider the possibilities of enhancing the use of energy from renewable sources. The mainstream forms of renewable energies include wood or other biomass (e.g. waste such as municipal solid waste, crops such as corn or wheat, aquatic plants such as algae), wind energy, solar energy, geothermal power and hydropower. Those mainstream forms of renewable energies have been largely discussed and to some extent implemented within businesses, with the desire to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. Some of the most interesting and recent innovations in renewable energies are to be found in waste. Waste can take many forms such as the waste of time, the waste of space and the waste of resources. But what if one could harvest and utilize the waste of waste? Here are three innovations worth to watch for in 2013: PHOTO Professor Willy Legrand at a Hotel Awards Ceremony

>> Harvesting Energy from Walking

What if the kinetic energy (the energy of motion) could be harvested and converted into electricity? In other words, is it possible to capture the energy produced from walking? The technology has been developed and already installed. Earlier in 2012, a company named Pavegen installed a paving slab at the West Ham tube station in London, which harvests the kinetic energy from pedestrians footsteps and uses it to generate electricity. The electricity produced can power pedestrian lighting, signage for direction or advertising boards for example. Taking into consideration the traffic in hotel lobbies and hallways, the applications of this technology are potentially immense.

>> Turning Toilet Waste into Power

Also earlier in 2012, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) developed a new toilet system, named the No-Mix Vacuum Toilet. This can turn human waste into electricity and fertilizers while reducing the amount of water needed for flushing at the same time. The toilet has two chambers, thus separating the solid from the liquid waste. The solid waste can be recovered and processed using an anaerobic digester, which results in the production of methane. Methane can be used in kitchen stoves for cooking, but methane can also be converted to fuel power plants to create electricity. The production of biogas from anaerobic digesters has become popular in certain parts of the world, particularly as a clever option for the treatment of hotel and restaurant food waste. The No-Mix Vacuum Toilet will be especially convenient for hotels, resorts and lodges in remote areas without links to main sewage facilities.

>> Converting Waste Heat into Electricity

PHOTO No-Mix Vacuum Toilet

The Kungsbrohuset office building located in Stockholm, Sweden is built on top of one of the citys busiest subway station where a few hundred thousand people transit daily. This traffic creates a tremendous amount of body heat, which is captured and utilized for the buildings heating needs. During the summer months, the building is cooled by pumping water from a nearby lake and using the basic concept of heat transfer. Besides using heat for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) needs, the development of thermoelectricity by which heat is converted into electricity offers some interesting potential. While thermoelectricity has some limitations in term of efficiencies, the applications in the hospitality industry are multi-faceted. The foremost being the development of thermoelectricity devices that can capture the energy commonly wasted during cooking in kitchens.

While the above-mentioned technologies have applications both on an individual and business-level, some other tips are available to anyone having the desire to reduce home energy consumption and costs. In a warm Singapore-like climate, this will, for example mean reducing the amount of air being cooled down mechanically via a HVAC unit. Using internal shading such as curtains will minimize entry of suns heat into the home during the day. Identifying the predominant winds and utilizing the windows to obtain natural ventilation PHOTO Kungsbrohuset green building in Stockholm in the form of drafts provide the inhabitants with some cooling feeling. The use of ceiling fans can greatly reduce the electricity bill. A ceiling fan does not cool the room temperature but creates wind chill effect by accelerating the evaporation of humidity on your skin, thus making one feel cooler. Note that to provide a cooling effect, the ceiling fan must rotate counter-clockwise. The same ceiling fan can be used during cooler periods to warm the air by pushing warm air, which rises to the ceiling down towards the flooring. Note that the ceiling fan must then rotate clockwise. The above-mentioned innovations are only a few of the many intelligent solutions being developed, stay tuned for more and keep it green! Professor Willy Legrand, Co-author of Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Principle of Sustainable Operations and lectures in the Faculty of Hospitality Management (International University of Applied Science, Bad Honnef, Bonn, Germany)

ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves presenting, visiting and leaving environments in their most pristine and natural state. Implied in the very definition of the term is the low impact on the area of interest; be it in the mountains, plains, beaches or even underwater. Tourism is like many other social institutions in that goes through cycles based upon trends, fads and what is considered hip by those who engage in the endeavors. Although it existed before the term was coined ecotourism, perhaps due to the media, pop culture or a desire to explore the world off the grid has become very popular. This is paradoxically both good and bad. It is a positive in that it has provided access to environments and cultures not previously seen by many parts of society. Ecotourism has provided context to many in their individual quests toward self-actualization. Unfortunately, the paths that were once less travelled have become more down trodden becoming less impactful spiritually and less impressive visually. The big riddle moving forward is going to be how one presents fragile destinations to more while at the same time not being deleterious to the ecosystems or civilizations that rely on them. Professor Kurt A. Stahura, Director of Academic and Student Affairs (University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Singapore Campus)

PHOTO Yosemite National Park, a green travel and ecotourism destination

RECYCLING. Its cooler than Bieber!

student's guide to las vegas

Las Vegas, the city of sin, the city of shopping! For those who love shopping, be sure to have lots of luggage space, as the options are overwhelming. If you are looking for discounts, here are some tips: Sign up as a VIP member of the various shops online and print out the discount coupons before heading down.When you get to the Premium Outlets, head to the Information Booth to collect the various discount coupons too. The wonderful thing about shopping there is that they take discounts on top of discounts! Below are some places I would recommend for great deals. >> Town Square Las Vegas >> North Premium Outlet >> Primm Fashion Outlet >> Fashion Show Mall on The Strip >> South Premium Outlet >> Largest H&M at Caesars Palace

For foodies looking to dine at a Michelin Star establishment, there are several celebrity chef restaurants worth visiting. Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris and Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace are definitely must-tries. Other more wallet friendly places are also readily available. Among them are In n Out Burger, Hot n Juicy Crawfish and Cheesecake Factory. Also, be sure to try the buffet options along The Strip and see how they compare to those we have here. Do check out downtown Las Vegas as well; it is the original town site and gambling district before the Strip was developed. Personally, I find it more endearing and though it is not as glitzy, it captures and exudes the old school charm of Vegas.

PHOTO SERENA LIM

If you have to choose a place to visit outside Vegas, consider visiting San Francisco for a few days and experience a completely different lifestyle. Certain places that you have to visit include Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz Island and Napa Valley. Personally, I love the Clam Chowder Soup in Sourdough Bread Bowl from Boudin. Chocolate lovers will have to check out Fudge House on Pier 39 and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and Cafe. For all you photographers and Instagrammers, head on over to the Golden Gate Bridge Recreation Area to capture the beauty and magnificence of the entire Gold Gate Bridge. No matter what you do or where you go, have a blast. Just remember, that whatever happens in Vegas, doesnt stay in Vegas! Serena Lim

STUDENT BY DAY, CHEF BY NIGHT

Sick of the usual macaroons, cookies and chocolates? We recently tried something new and different that isnt all the rage just yet, but we predict it might be pretty soon tarts. I bet the first thing that comes to mind is the usual pineapple tarts that we munch on during Chinese New Year, but these tarts are something else. They are the works of Shane Meyer, a 24-year-old NTU Business student who makes them lovingly by hand. He has even started his own online business where customers can make orders. His tarts have earned him quite reputation, so much so that a caf has requested for him to be their Pastry Chef. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to sample and review three of his best sellers.

the regional traveller : PENANG

Looking for a short getaway without burning a hole in your pocket? (We know what Bangkok does to your wallet!) Then hop onto a plane or bus and head down to Penang, Malaysia. There are few things Singaporeans love more than food, so why not? After all, Penang is known as a food paradise. >> Stay: Book a dormitory bed with a shared bathroom (or a private ensuite room) at the Old Penang Guesthouse! It is a pre-war building that has been restored into a lodging PHOTO MELLISSA SEAH facility. Its old world heritage charm, coupled with modern facilities and top notch service, has earned itself the #3 rank according to Tripadvisor. Conveniently located on Love Lane, Georgetown, it is within walking distance to many attractions. >> Eat: The best Assam Laksa is at Air Itam hawker centre, which you will pass by on the way up to Penang Hill. My favourite Curry Mee is at Lebuh Chulias night hawker stalls. It was so incredible, my friend had to have it again before heading back to Singapore. >> Do: Look out for street art; Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharavic gave old walls around Georgetown a new lease of life in conjunction with Penangs Georgetown Festival. These walls have since become one of the more popular spots for visitors. Also check out the steel sculptures made by Sculpture at Work. Spend an afternoon at Penang Hill to escape the heat. It is approximately 833 metres above the capital and is definitely cooler. You can chill out at one of the cafes with a book or get in touch with nature by checking out the gorgeous flora and fauna. A good place to relax, recharge and rejuvenate indeed. I spent 4 days and 3 nights there, which really isnt enough to explore all of Penang. I especially missed out on Batu Ferriangi and the famous Gurney area. Total cost of trip excluding airfare was RM250, which is a pretty good steal for a short getaway. Mellissa Seah

>> Fruit Tart This was the first tart that came out of his oven and is still a popular favorite among his customers. Topped with fresh fruits such as kiwi, strawberries and oranges, it is not your average fruit tart. The custard filling is out of this world and paired with the various fresh fruit flavors, it keeps you coming back for more.

>> Nutella Chocolate Tart Looking at the intricate design on the tart proves just how much work he puts into each of them. When you take a bite, you immediately get a thick, gooey paste of Nutella goodness in your mouth. The incredible crust contrasts the texture of the oozing chocolate filling. It is a sensual and divine experience and it is definitely a great dessert to end off a meal.

>> Lemon Meringue Tart Personally my favorite among the three, this tart is more than just about its good looks. The meringue has a texture of soft marshmallows and tastes like freshly baked cookies. Underneath, the lemon custard is zesty with a strong citrus kick, perking you up with every bite. I find it goes especially well with a crisp white wine. We were dead full but extremely content after sampling his tarts and I must say his tart shells are so good; they can be eaten on their own. Our team had a little too much to eat, and we even ordered some home for our family. Each tart only costs $2 and he sells them in boxes of 6. So what are you waiting for? Its a perfect gift for a dinner party or if youre getting bored of the same old desserts. Visit and Like his page Shaneys Tarts, for orders and enquiries today! Warren Elliot Wee

FOOTPRINTs

EDITORIAL Managing Director Aiden Eng Ruhan Editor-in-Chief Warren Elliot Wee Writers Serena Lim Melissa Seah

ART & DESIGN Creative Director Victoria Tan Creative Designer Edith

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RECYCLING. Its cooler than Bieber!