The ‘silent crisis’ of hospitals’ energy security

Nigel Thomas, National Specification and Projects Sales manager at ABB, discusses the importance of hospitals and other healthcare facilities having the most resilient possible power infrastructure and – where existing systems are not optimal – upgrading them to minimise interruption to clinical activity in the event of disruptive incidents such as ‘blackouts’ and ‘brownouts’. He explores the benefits of ‘robust, digital-ready, and low-maintenance’ energy solutions.

As they attempt to decarbonise and electrify their operations, hospitals across the UK and the rest of the world are facing an underreported crisis: energy insecurity. Ageing infrastructure, the shift away from fossil fuels, extreme weather events, cyberattacks, and surging demand for power-hungry medical technology, are individually formidable. Together, they are creating a perfect storm for the healthcare sector which calls for decisive action.

For a modern hospital, continuous power is a matter of life and death. With an average energy intensity of approximately 74 kWh per square foot, hospitals consume up to 2.5 or 3 times more energy per square metre than commercial buildings. This is because on top of the usual lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, critical equipment such as ventilators, dialysis machines, and infusion pumps, and diagnostic imaging, also rely on uninterrupted electricity.