SETH FRANCIS – MECHANICAL DESIGNER; TROY SAVAGE – PROJECT MANAGER, MAZZETTI+GBA ENERGY MANAGEMENT
The role of microgrids in the healthcare sector
Microgrids are increasingly gaining attention across the energy sector. They sit at the intersection of trends in gadget proliferation, distributed energy and the importance of energy use reduction. However, different definitions are being used to describe them and there is a perception that they serve as a panacea. Microgrids should be viewed as one of many potentially effective energy management systems, addressing cost, resilience, reliability and system optimisation.
Hospitals typically operate 24/7 and require large amounts of hot water and steam for equipment sterilisation and refrigeration for temperature sensitive medications, as well as climate control and often large power consuming equipment. As a result, hospitals typically use considerably more energy than commercial buildings of the same size and require more complex energy design. Moreover, without intervention, healthcare sector energy consumption is expected to increase. The healthcare sector consumes a
Microgrids link multiple sources of energy supply, matching supply with demand.
large amount of energy and this is expected to increase. This is due to several factors. The increasing use of power consuming medical devices in healthcare results in rising levels of consumption per patient. Additionally, the senior population is projected to double globally by 2050 according to the
Seth Francis
Seth Francis is a mechanical designer with Mazzetti+GBA and is involved in MEP design and energy and sustainability consulting for a variety of industries including healthcare facilities. He has a degree in renewable energy engineering from the Oregon
Institute of Technology and has a background in integrated design solutions for global, community based projects. For the past four
years, he has been working in energy efficiency and building science in Oregon with experience in new commercial and residential buildings as well as community sustainability engagement.
Troy Savage Troy Savage is a project manager at Mazzetti+GBA. In this role,
Troy has helped healthcare organisations to define and implement strategic initiatives to reduce energy use intensity and greenhouse gas emissions. With an extensive knowledge base, Troy has been
involved in interviewing hospital facility leaders across the country regarding strategies to motivate, establish and fund projects and practices to increase energy efficiency. Troy also helps lead Mazzetti’s internal process improvement and quality initiatives.
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US Census Bureau and life expectancy is increasing, with some countries expecting the older population to quadruple in size.1 This will increase the number of patients and put mounting pressure on hospitals, healthcare networks, assisted living, adult day care and nursing homes. It is no coincidence that so many hospitals are adding new buildings and expansions, resulting in increased energy demand in an already energy intensive sector. As hospital energy consumption
increases and operating margins decrease, opportunities for effectively managing energy use becomes of critical importance to the bottom line. US healthcare facilities spend $8.8 billion per year on energy, and every dollar saved on energy is a dollar available for patient care.2
With an
operating margin of five per cent, every dollar saved replaces about $20 in required revenue. Thus, managing energy costs in ways that meet other objectives can help improve the resilience of healthcare facilities in an environment of constantly changing revenue models. As critical infrastructure, hospitals
must meet large energy demands and be resilient in emergency situations. Moreover, regulations require back-up electrical generation. Most hospitals meet this requirement with small legacy fuel power plants, typically diesel generators, but increasingly new buildings incorporate combined heat and power generation (CHP) and renewable energy. It is essential for a hospital to sustain critical services through a power outage. The following examples illustrate why.
During Hurricane Sandy in 2013, failed
back-up power meant medical personnel had to transport critical patients to safety in darkness. Langone Medical Center in New York City had to evacuate at the height of the storm and Bellevue Hospital Center called in the national guard to help evacuate more than 700 patients. Four
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