Simplifying the journey to healthcare decarbonization

Tip #31

Justin Carron, Director of Buildings & Campus at Eaton

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There’s never been a better time to decarbonize healthcare. The energy transition and electrification are surging forward while advancements in digitalization can help the most intensive applications use energy more intelligently. And thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the return on investment for clean energy projects is better than ever.

Energy transition, electrification and digitalization create new opportunities

Healthcare organizations are beginning the journey to replace carbon-based fuels with renewables, reduce emissions and electrify everything. This shift is opening the door to create energy systems that do more for sustainability, reliability and the bottom line.

Starting a decarbonization project doesn’t require you to completely reimagine essential energy systems. The best way to start reducing the emissions of is to optimize your energy usage, simply using power more efficiently. And the key to using power more effectively hinges on digital technologies.

These digital technologies are the connected devices, data models, insights and analytics that help transform power management by providing the actionable insights needed to prioritize improvements – and they play a major role in sustainability and decarbonization.

Sensors, AI models, and digital tools are used to manage real-time data from heating and cooling systems, optimize power usage, and visualize energy requirements. These tools simplify the task of identifying energy waste and assessing system performance as well as help monitor carbon emissions and develop reduction plans.

Digital solutions enhance electrical system performance, allowing organizations to allocate more funds to patient care. An EPA study showed that energy efficiency improvements can significantly increase revenues for non-profit healthcare organizations.

After optimizing power usage, the next step is to electrify major building systems. If heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) or central utility systems are nearing their end of life, these could be replaced with low-carbon alternatives. Electrifying fleets or adding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure could be supported by federal funding or tax incentives, reducing emissions and operational costs over time. Decarbonization should also be factored in when evaluating deferred maintenance or facility conditions.

Policies are evolving to fully decarbonize healthcare operations

In March 2023, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a categorial waiver permitting new and existing healthcare facilities to use alternative sources of emergency power in accordance with the 2021 edition of the NFPA 99 and 2023 edition of the National Electric Code (NFPA 70). This program enables emergency power for an EES to be supplied by sources other than a generator, such as a microgrid system.

Start reducing emissions today

There’s assistance for those starting to pave the way to a clean energy future. Late last year, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed and will support approximately $370 billion in climate and energy proposals – including tax credits for clean energy technologies, such as solar, energy storage, microgrid controllers, and other zero-emission electricity generating infrastructure.

Those incentives can help propel clean energy projects. Now is the time for healthcare organizations to begin thinking how they can create a more scalable, digital, and electrified foundation ready for the demands of tomorrow.

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