HealtH Matters 47
grEEn mattErs
Developing an
energY
redUction
prograMMe
We have seen a drop in the cost of energy
HSE is one of the largest users of energy in the country and has
from the all time high of recent years but
an obligation to be at the forefront in introducing energy reducing this is now reversing and the overall trend
initiatives. Hence achieving energy reduction over current energy
is expected to remain upwards for the
foreseeable future. therefore a return to
usage is a key objective for the HSE, writes Jim Murphy, Project
increasing energy costs, coupled with a
manager, Estates corporate. high growth rate in the use of energy, will
result in even higher energy invoices unless
t
he government Green Paper on all sectors of society, including business, a strategic programme is established to
Sustainable Energy was released in 1999, industry, state and semi-state, need to combat energy usage and cost. this must
with the White Paper setting the energy continually focus on improving efficiency. be achieved without adversely affecting our
policy framework and energy efficiency as One such efficiency includes environmental core principle of delivering a state of the art
the central component: “efficient use of improvement, which can often result in cost healthcare system.
energy is one of the core principles of savings. It is generally known as Eco-efficiency. Many programmes have been launched
sustainable energy policies.” The National Eco-efficiency involves the establishment throughout the health sector aimed at
Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009 to 2020 of prudent management in environmental reducing our energy consumption, at national
strengthens this further and sets a target of performance, preventing and reducing level, such as the Combined Heat and Power
33 per cent reduction in energy demand for wastage by lowering resource use in terms (CHP) programme and at local level as
the public sector within that period. all of this of materials, water and energy. this can individual projects where we work closely with
echoes the aims of the eU energy efficiency also lead to lower costs and can then be a Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) for maximum
action Plan, published in October 2006. win-win scenario. benefit. Yet the demand for energy continues
hSe aVailS oF Sei SuPPort to Make energy SaVingS
the Hse successfully qualified for support from sustainable lighting and control systems to switch
Energy Ireland (SEI) in 2009 for energy efficiency projects under lights off when not required, lighting
the Supports for Exemplar Energy Efficiency Projects (SEEEP) cost savings in excess of 30 per
Hospitals
A GUIDE TO ENER
GY EFFICIENT AND C
OST EFFECTIVE LIGHTING
programme. SEI provided almost b2 million in funding for energy cent for the hospitals concerned are
uP To This guide pr
50% ovides advice on the most appr
sAvIn enerGs gy efficiency and visual eff opriate ligh
provided ec, hospitals should be able ttiv
ting f
eness of new t or hospitals and infechnolog or
maintenance c o r
ies and t mation on running c
osts and impr educ
osts
e the ener echniques ,
ove the o gy c
. B
onsumption of ligh y following the inf
verall lighting qualit ting sy ormation
y. stems by up to 50%, cut
upgrades in 12 Hse sites consisting largely of lighting projects, expected, some ventilation, insulation
which will result in average electricity/energy savings of between and heating controls upgrades were
30 and 50 per cent per annum in lighting energy consumption. also undertaken.
As part of SEI’s energy cost reduction services for business SEI’s new guide on Energy
and the public sector, financial support was made available for efficient and Cost effective Hospital
a limited number of qualifying energy efficiency projects whose lighting is now available. For more
implementation will achieve significant energy savings. information on SEI’s Public Sector
Nine projects in HSE-funded hospitals and a further three Programme and other initiatives
projects in the voluntary health sector secured support of almost available for businesses visit
b2 million from SEI. The technologies employed were mainly new www.sei.ie/business.
HM Iss6.1 p1-70.indd 47 12/03/2010 15:16:04
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