This was the decisive factor, as synchronisation would transform the way the hospital could test and exercise its generator – replacing the disruptive Sunday morning routine with regular, sustained runs under balanced load, managed through the demand-response programme.
"The real motivation was to get a system that would make it easy to test the generator. The fact that Enel X was essentially paying for the necessary equipment was the biggest benefit for us at the time,” said Ray Lennon, Medical Facilities and Project Manager at UPMC Sport Surgery Clinic.
Once enrolled, the clinic entered its full generation capacity into the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism, which helps guarantee sufficient energy generation on the Irish grid during peak demand.
The clinic’s programme has since expanded to include frequency-response services, which involve more frequent but shorter generator starts. The decision to extend participation was straightforward: the system was already proven, and the additional starts simply meant more regular exercise for the generator.
When a demand or frequency response event is called, the facilities team receives a notification by email and text. Beyond that, nothing changes. No upstream or downstream notifications are required. No clinical decisions need to be made. Enel X manages the transition between grid and generator power, which is imperceptible to staff, patients and clinicians.
The results UPMC Sport Surgery Clinic has participated in demand response since 2014 and frequency response since 2017, enrolling 600kW across both programmes.
Over 12 years, the clinic has earned six-figure system services revenue through its participation. For the facilities team, the most significant benefit is the health and longevity of the hospital's backup generator. Regular, sustained runs
under balanced load – typically a minimum of two hours per event – keep the machine in optimal condition. The generator is now 18 years old, has never missed a service interval, and continues to perform faultlessly.
“My team doesn't react to demand or frequency response events because we're 100% confident in the system switching on and switching off. It's invisible to everyone else in the hospital – there’s simply no impact on clinical operations or patient care,” explained Ray Lennon.
The programme also contributes to the wider electricity system. By making its generation capacity available during periods of grid stress, the clinic plays a small but meaningful role in supporting grid stability – a contribution that aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability within the UPMC network, even if it operates quietly in the background.
Looking ahead The relationship between UPMC and Enel X has been renewed three times, most recently in late 2025. UPMC is currently undertaking a major expansion at the Santry site, with two additional theatres due to open in January 2028. A new generator is also planned for the UPMC Kildare site, and the facilities team is considering its other sites in Ireland for demand response suitability.
Lennon concluded: "What would I say to another healthcare organisation? It takes the burden of having to schedule and run generator tests off your desk, and gives it to somebody else. It’s not necessarily about generating revenue: it’s also about the good use of a machine that you've spent a lot of money to put there."
Are you operating facilities with backup generation, combined heat and power or battery storage? Contact Enel X to explore how your infrastructure can support grid stability while keeping your equipment in peak condition.
www.enelx.com/uk/en/contact-us
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