Sustainability Champion #01

&BEYOND SOSSUSVLEI DESERT LODGE – Namibia

ON ASSIGNMENT – Sustainable Tourism Case Studies, Report 01

February 2022 site visit at the: &BEYOND Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia.

The lodge is located within the 12,715 hectares (31,419 acre) &BEYOND Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, near Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park & UNESCO World Heritage Site – Namib Sand Sea, and near the Namib Rand Nature Reserve.

This luxury lodge (completely renovated in 2019) with 10 beautifully appointed stone and glass suites was identified by TIDIA as one of the Sustainability Champions in Namibia.

1] RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Off-grid Solar Hybrid Power system; Combination of solar power from a Photo-voltaic (PV) system with diesel generators as the back-up source to charge the batteries.

The facility is equipped with a 199kWp PV system consisting of ±600 Canadian Solar 330Wp panels which convert sun radiation into electrical energy.

A micro-grid system was installed to provide renewable energy to both the lodge, and the staff village.

a] The roof for the 10 guest rooms was designed to provide maximum space for ±30 unobtrusive solar PV panels and optimal shade.

b] ±60 Solar PV panels on the roof area at the main building.

c] ±60 Solar PV panels on the car parking roof area.

d] Two Tesla Powerpack battery systems (440kWh) are utilized to store energy and supply the grid at night.

The Tesla battery energy storage system comprises stacked “banks” of lithium-ion battery pods and provides remarkable cost and energy savings.

Diesel generators (258kVA Diesel) were incorporated into the solar PV system design as backup generation capacity to assist during cloudy weather conditions, and during the evenings (if needed).

2] SOLAR HOT WATER

A fully independent solar hot water system was installed at each guest room.

HydraTherm Integrated Heat Pumps were also installed at each guest room, manager rooms, and at the kitchen.

The solar powered combination heat pumps are integrated with the solar water heaters.

A heat pump heats the water by transferring heat from the surrounding air to the water (in the geyser), by means of a compressor and an air-to-water heat exchanger.

Integrated heat pump is essentially a hot water cylinder (geyser) with a super energy-efficient heat pump (instead of a conventional electric element) as its heating source.

Integrated heat pump features high density 50mm polyurethane insulation to ensure the absolute minimum heat loss possible.

Plan below shows the design of the guest suites.

3] ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Solar-powered air-conditioning keeps the guest suites comfortably cool, together with the natural shade provided by the inspired roof design

Each guest suite includes amenities such as personal bar, kettles, hair dryers – all solar powered.

Solar-powered room-freezer offers treats of ice-creams, desert cordials, and craft beer in the guest rooms.

LED lighting and CFL lighting units are used.

4] WATER CONSERVATION

The water recycling systems throughout the lodge generates more than 100,000 litres of grey water per month.

Rainwater harvesting tanks are also available.

Pool covers will be used as an evaporation control measure when the guest suites are not in use.

Indigenous desert gardens being cultivated around the suites, and irrigated by the harvested rain water and recycled grey water.

5] WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Up to 95% of shower & bath water can be recycled with a Hydraloop system.

This highly effective grey water (showers & baths) recycling system was installed in each guest suite (powered by the solar panels on the roof).

Hydraloop recycled water is clean, clear, safe & certified, and suitable for toilet flushing, washing machine, garden irrigation, and/or to top-up swimming pools, and also for washing the dust off the solar panels.

Information & images below shows the Hydraloop and HydraTherm units.

A Bio rock system was installed to treat the black waste water.

6] RECYLING

100,000 Litres of grey water per month is produced by the water recycling systems throughout the lodge.

100% Of the &BEYOND lodges have Bottling plants.

90% Reduction of plastic water bottle usage.

Waste measurement and management at all the &Beyond lodges is a recurring and important element of their annual impact audits.

Food waste, glass, tins, oil, filters and other items are recycled.

7] SUSTAINABILITY AUDITS

100% Of the &BEYOND group lodges are audited annually.

88% Average score achieved for the group sustainability audit.

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