ENERGY
currently fully replace diesel standby sets, especially in terms of immediate, high current, large load capacity under failure conditions.
The future outlook: towards hybrid modular critical power Given what we have seen, I believe that the coming decade will see increasing adoption of hybrid modular critical power systems in UK healthcare. Key trends likely to dominate are:
n Diesel + battery + smart control hybrids Many hospitals will adopt battery storage not just for UPS / bridging, but to absorb load spikes, allow smaller engines to run more efficiently, reduce routine test run time where possible, and to reduce emissions from idling or low loads.
Modular diesel generators and switchgear package.
cycles, contribute to CO₂ emissions, so there is a push for more efficient, lower carbon alternatives or hybrid systems.
n Fuel supply & security Concerns around the availability, delivery, and cost of diesel, especially in more remote areas or during supply chain disruptions. Fuel storage risk (degradation, DIP etc.) also needs management.
n Operational costs & maintenance Older generating sets are less efficient and more maintenance heavy; failure risk increases with age. Also, running costs, fuel, emissions compliance, and periodic load testing/maintenance are non-trivial.
Geoff Halliday
Geoff Halliday started his career as an apprentice working for Square D (later part of Schneider) before moving into the critical power sector where he has now worked for over 40 years, splitting that time equally between both the UPS and standby diesel generation sectors. During this period Geoff has held several roles ranging from customer service engineer, project manager, technical director, sales director through to managing director. Drawing on his management skills, product knowledge and vast application experience amassed throughout his career; Geoff now enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.
n Space, noise, vibration, site constraints Many healthcare sites are located in constrained urban areas; expansion or retro fitting of large generating sets may be spatially (roof, basement) or acoustically challenging.
Emerging alternatives and supplementary technologies To reduce diesel dependency or augment generator standby systems, several technologies are gaining traction.
n Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Especially for bridging, peak shaving, and handling transient loads – all of which have the potential to reduce generating set running hours.
n Alternative fuels Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), possibly other biodiesel blends, low-carbon gaseous fuels; hydrogen in longer term (though availability, infrastructure, and safety must be addressed).
n Demand side management and load shedding More fine-grained control of non-critical loads to reduce stress on standby systems or to prioritise critical loads in emergencies.
n Microgrids & local energy generation On-site solar, wind, perhaps hydrogen, connected via control systems to feed critical loads or pre-charge battery systems; reduces dependency on grid and diesel. Space will likely be a limiting factor.
n Remote monitoring, predictive analytics, IoT To detect anomalies, plan preventive maintenance, avoid failure during emergencies. However, none of these
58 Health Estate Journal September 2026
n Containerised / podded plant rooms Off-site manufacturing of power pods combining diesel gensets, UPS, switchgear, controls, in environmental enclosures all tested, delivered, and commissioned rapidly. Particularly useful for retrofit, capacity expansion, and rural hospitals.
n Partial load emission controls With more generators running in parallel, there will be increased use of load management to ensure each operates in its optimum band; plus after-treatment systems and cleaner engines (with after treatment fitted).
n Integration with heat / thermal demands CHP or waste heat recovery especially in hospitals with significant heating, hot water, laundry, and sterilisation loads will become more common, perhaps with modular CHP blocks able to be switched in or out depending on heat demand.
n Regulatory evolution / incentives Procurement frameworks (e.g. NHS frameworks) will increasingly take into account life cycle emissions, total cost of ownership (TCO), not just capital cost. Grants or incentives may be offered for lower carbon technologies or hybrid systems. HTM and aligned regulations may evolve to provide clearer guidance on hybrid and modular systems.
n Alternative fuel trials / biofuels Use of HVO or other low-carbon diesels in standby roles, particularly for periodic test runs, could become more widespread. Hydrogen standby generation remains experimental but likely to grow as infrastructure catches up.
Conclusion In summary, standby diesel generation remains an indispensable part of the UK healthcare critical power strategy. Its capability to deliver high reliability, meet regulatory demands, handle large transient loads, and integrate with legacy systems keeps it firmly at the centre. That said, the future for healthcare power will likely be hybrid, modular, and smarter. The inclusion of UPS, battery energy storage, modular plant rooms, and possibly CHP or alternative fuels will allow diesel to be used more efficiently, cleanly, and flexibly. Experience shows that the optimal path is a carefully designed critical power train that includes modular standby diesel generation as a key component, augmented by other technologies, with robust controls, good maintenance, and clear attention to regulatory and environmental constraints.
WB Power Services Ltd – a Rehlko Company
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