FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
The NHS has set ambitious goals to achieve Net Zero by 2040, aiming for an 80% reduction in emissions between 2028 and 2032. Leading the way is Rye, Winchelsea & District
MEETING NHS
SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS L
ocated in East Sussex since 1903, Rye Hospital is an NHS-designated intermediate care
facility with 19 beds. It provides short-term care, particularly post-operative rehabilitation. DMA Group has worked with the hospital since 1992 and, in 2021, helped it decarbonise. Barry Nealon, chair at Rye, Winchelsea & District
Memorial Hospital, said: “Our goal was always to become a fully functional Net Zero community hospital. We aimed to bring medical services closer to home to benefit the local community. To achieve this, we needed to reimagine our existing business models and aim for sustainable growth, and needed a collaborative and experienced service partner like DMA Group to realise those goals.”
ENERGY CONSUMPTION: A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION Before the project, Rye Hospital’s energy usage totalled 588,359 kWh, with gas consumption accounting for 471,269 kWh. By March 2023, the hospital had dramatically reduced energy use by 37.98%. By 2024, energy use is projected to decrease by 240,000 kWh, representing a 40% drop from 2020. This reduction equates to saving 260 tonnes of carbon annually, the equivalent of planting around 4,300 trees. Martyn Phillips, the hospital’s former chief operating officer and current trustee, spearheaded the project. He worked with DMA to develop a decarbonisation plan. The approach focused
Tesla Powerwall Batteries. These store excess solar energy, ensuring consistent power supply
on upgrading outdated systems and replacing life-expired equipment to support the hospital’s infrastructure for the next 20 years.
HOW WE ACHIEVED THIS: Step 1: Energy audit In 2021, DMA conducted an in-depth energy audit, identifying a possible 98% reduction in carbon emissions through various energy conservation measures (ECMs). These included LED lighting, installing solar panels, and replacing aging equipment.
Step 2: Implementing energy conservation measures DMA implemented several ECMs to reduce the hospital’s energy profile, including: • LED lighting: Energy-efficient internal and external lighting with automatic controls was installed, preventing waste. • Fan motor upgrades: High-efficiency fan motors optimised ventilation system use.
• Building management system (BMS): A new BMS system monitored, measured, and optimised energy use through better and smarter control.
• Electric flow boilers: We replaced outdated gas boilers with electric alternatives to reduce emissions. • Solar Photovoltaics (PV): A 67.68 kWp solar panel system exceeded expectations, generating 74,300 kWh of electricity in 2022.
• Tesla Powerwall Batteries: Batteries with 125kW/h capacity store excess solar energy, ensuring consistent power supply. • Gas-to-electric equipment replacement: Replacing gas-fired boilers and kitchen equipment with energy- efficient electric alternatives.
• Upgraded Water Systems and Pumps: Efficiency improvements reduced energy use and water hygiene risks, ensuring better working conditions. These measures resulted in significant energy savings, improving both operational efficiency and resilience. The
www.essmag.co.uk Outdated gas boilers were replaced with electric alternatives to reduce emissions
switch to 100% renewable electricity and other upgrades reduced the hospital’s carbon footprint to zero. By integrating with batteries, the PV system not only surpassed our expectations but also improved the hospital’s resilience by offering a reliable backup power source. Rye Hospital’s decarbonisation serves as a model for other healthcare facilities. Thanks to its energy efficiency and community fundraising, the hospital is now handling services previously outsourced to district hospitals. The decarbonisation project also played a key role in renewing its lease with East Sussex Healthcare Trust, securing healthcare access for the community and reducing the need for long-distance travel.
A GREENER FUTURE The hospital is planning additional green initiatives, including increasing solar panel capacity and improving insulation. They also aim to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, funded by savings from the decarbonisation project. These energy and cost savings have allowed the hospital to develop a five-year maintenance and equipment replacement plan, ensuring long- term sustainability. The savings could support expanded healthcare services, such as minor injuries or diagnostic units, improving care for the local community.
DMA Group
https://dma-group.co.uk/ ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2024 29
Memorial Hospital, the UK’s first community hospital to achieve carbon neutrality. Steve McGregor, MD for the DMA
Group, explains how they helped the hospital meet this goal by reducing carbon emissions
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