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Feature


NHS can spend less on energy and more on people


A government greenhouse gas emissions survey of the public estate in 2010, found hospitals


were amongst the worst offenders. But whilst things have improved, according to Jan Ponsford, Director at Virtus Consult, specialists in energy reduction strategies, more can be done.


A good way to cut emissions is to reduce energy consumption and that begins with understanding what energy is being used, what is being wasted and what savings are easiest to achieve. Management teams need to understand


that a raft of small changes across the estate, will deliver significant cuts in energy use and related costs.


Comprehensive evaluation


Evaluation of the estate should be to detail and assess every aspect of the energy efficiency equation. It should include every possible source of information, from half- hourly electricity bills to waste management policies. The evaluation will consider the facility’s


energy spend and carbon emissions from, mechanical and electrical activities, buildings, infrastructure, land, waste, transport and workforce, focussing on three distinct areas: Power – the site survey will consider metering and sub-metering by department, particularly in healthcare facilities where a huge disparity in usage can exist. The in-use performance of a building should be compared to its historical energy use or the energy use characteristics of similar healthcare facilities. Initiatives – it’s important to look at


heat recovery, use of renewables if relevant, including energy from waste, lighting systems, electrical equipment, voltage optimisation and improvements to the fabric of the building and surrounding environment. Operations – the energy use awareness


of the staff must be considered; do they share the desire to reduce use? The lifecycle maintenance, waste reduction strategies, procurement services, transport and ultimately the culture of the organisation must form part of any evaluation.


Baseline information


The information starts with the buildings, their age, construction and condition, their occupancy profile and any plans to re-develop if appropriate. Also required is a thorough inspection of the building fabric and its thermal properties, along with rooves, windows, doors, flooring etc. A detailed review of heating, ventilation,


Salix, which provides interest-free


Government funding to the public sector to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills, requires NHS programmes to payback within 5 years and less than £120 per tonne of CO2 over the lifetime of the project. Salix funding covers over 100 energy efficient technologies including boilers, combined heat and power, LED and lighting upgrades, and heat recovery. Other third-party solutions are available,


which could include ‘off-balance sheet’ options like an Energy Services Company (ESCo) agreement, a Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) arrangement, a Special Purchase Vehicles or Programme Partnership Arrangements. The ideal solution is the one that


provides the best value at the least risk for stakeholders, whilst meeting the Trusts’ needs and satisfying legal and statutory requirements.


cooling and lighting systems will be needed if there is no asset register available for the mechanical and electrical systems. Temperature and humidity set points,


including any changes during the year, at locations across the estate will be critical to the overall consumption picture and will help highlight possible improvements.


Future funding or grant opportunities The problem at the heart of the issue is funding. Typically, NHS Energy Managers and Facilities Managers understand the significant difference a lot of small changes can make, but making the business case successfully is where the hard work starts regardless of private or public sector. The details of each project will impact


the available funding options, with building type, usage, location, Trust requirements and preferences, along with the improvements being considered all affecting the final funding solution. Unless the organisation has the capital


to fund the changes, it will have to look to funders like the Green Investment Bank or SALIX, which offers interest and fee free loans, with energy-cost savings used to pay the loan.


Implementation follows evaluation


Once the business case has been made for all the improvements, a tender process will identify experienced contractors that guarantee the predicted savings and necessary payback period. To achieve a successful delivery of the


project, it should be managed by the con- sultants that undertook the evaluation; they will understand the organisation’s objec- tives, economic drivers, operational struc- ture, existing knowledge and experience. The process to implement the various


simple changes will typically take 6-9 months, following the evaluation and collection of baseline information. The savings however, can be immediate and significant. Energy efficiency projects within the healthcare sector require monitoring and verification to ensure targets are hit. But the most important aspect in the fight to cut energy consumption, is continual improvement as new technologies emerge, or become more affordable. The value lies in balancing the time


taken for the expected savings to cover the initial expenditure on implementing the changes, which requires a more nuanced and experienced approach.


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