CARBON & ENERGY REDUCTION
BMS solution in place, but few are maximising technology to create an optimised ecosystem. Legacy solutions, including some building management systems, building energy management systems (BEMS), and smart lighting or HVAC systems, can save hospitals and clinics upwards of 20% on their energy costs annually. However, newer, IoT- based systems incorporating AI extend those benefits to deliver hyper-efficient, resilient, sustainable estates that deliver a superior level of patient care. IoT, or Internet of Things, refers to
IoT-based solutions equip Estates & Facilities teams with an improved view of the condition of building products, systems, and high-risk assets.
and enable hospitals to find previously undetectable inefficiencies, like IT hotspots or depleted batteries, by monitoring systems all the way down to device level, and processing the resulting data through cloud analytics.
As the NHS identified in its Net Zero
strategy, ‘engineering solutions to upgrade our buildings represents a total of 473 ktCO2
e in potential emissions savings’.
The strategy also identifies that ‘a wide range of interventions focused on air- conditioning and cooling, building fabric, space heating, ventilation, and hot water could … [save] some £250 m per year’.
Adoption on both new-builds and retrofits That the adoption of BMS solutions in healthcare settings has increased as tangible ROI has been demonstrated. While there is the option to incorporate the latest Building Management Systems into greenfield sites, such systems can also be easily deployed as a retrofit in hospitals, clinics, and other medical and administrative buildings. These digital services can be installed quickly, and will typically generate energy savings of 10 to 20% for a commercial building of 10,000 m2
with a consumption of 180 kWh per m2 ‘‘ /year. Indeed, identifying
and upgrading inefficient or outdated building equipment and systems through
retrofit projects across the healthcare estate is core to the NHS’s Net Zero strategy. The University of Nottingham is a case in point. Schneider Electric worked with the University’s Facilities Management team to upgrade its voltage network and integrate a new BMS and digital services architecture. This ensured that the new system was compatible with both new and existing buildings. The combined system uses automation and control to optimise heating and cooling throughout the campus. It has reduced energy consumption and expenditure, while driving cost savings, thanks to a better understanding of energy usage. This has resulted in a 5% reduction in energy consumption, and a 3% reduction in energy costs. In addition, the system has enabled the University to improve its control of renewable technology by 75%, reducing emissions in line with its decarbonisation plans.
An optimised digital ecosystem Moving forward, Building Management Systems are being integrated with greater analytics capabilities and remote accessibility. Leveraging IoT technology, these systems are becoming more sophisticated, and enable applications that go well beyond energy efficiency. Most hospitals will already have a
IoT-based solutions equip facilities teams with an improved view of the condition of building products, systems, and high-risk assets. This insight can reduce maintenance time by proactively addressing a facility’s failures, supporting better decision making, and reducing risk
56 Health Estate Journal August 2023
interconnected networks of Internet- accessible devices to collect, store, and transmit data to other connected devices. IoT-enabled platforms deepen the value of intelligent building technologies by delivering unprecedented visibility into healthcare facility performance. This can include using BMS data and systems within a ’digital twin’ of a building’s assets and systems, enabling continuous, automated diagnostics to monitor and detect any performance anomalies. Going further, IoT-based, open, interoperable platforms drive energy efficiency and smart, connected healthcare systems, but they also drive improved outcomes across patient experience, system resiliency, and sustainability targets.
Powering benefits way beyond cost The average hospital uses 2.5 times as much energy as other commercial buildings of similar size. There are ample opportunities for IoT-enabled platforms to help reduce energy-related costs in healthcare settings, and in some cases vendors will guarantee a minimum level of energy savings, reducing the investment risk for the decision-maker. However, the benefits go far beyond cost-saving. For example, IoT-based solutions equip Estates & Facilities teams with an improved view of the condition of building products, systems, and high-risk assets. This insight can reduce maintenance time by proactively addressing a facility’s failures, supporting better decision making, and reducing risk. This proactive approach ensures resilient power availability – the most foundational aspect of facility operations. In fact, our research shows that 87% of healthcare facility executives view improving resiliency as a significant factor in IoT investment decisions. Medical equipment requires a
substantial, reliable source of power. Maintaining high-quality, clean power is vital to ensuring that sensitive healthcare equipment always performs properly; a reactive approach to asset performance management exposes hospitals to critical risks. In contrast, IoT-based asset management and predictive maintenance systems support real-time, data-driven
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