Power to the NHS

Alastair Morris, Chief Commercial Officer at Powerstar describes the role voltage regulation can play as part of a wider energy management strategy for healthcare

The NHS operates 24/7, every day of the year, and a stable and resilient power supply is critical across all aspects of the organisation and its facilities. The NHS is also committed to achieving an 80 per cent carbon emission reduction between 2028 and 2032, to reach net zero by 2040.

As part of a resilient power strategy for healthcare, voltage regulation can lead to real improvements. The National Grid is obliged to supply users with 230V power, but typically operates with a fluctuating voltage. To meet its statutory requirement, the Grid supplies a higher average voltage to compensate – around 245V. Most electrical equipment in the UK is designed to work at 220V and operating at a voltage higher than necessary can damage equipment and shorten its lifespan.

Traditionally, the problem has been solved through a solution that transforms the entire voltage to a site, but this is far from perfect as it leads to large losses. A modern alternative, and one which we have incorporated into more than 6,000 carbon reduction strategies, is a solution that transforms only the reduced voltage, meaning far lower energy loss. Such technology can either offer a set level reduction for high but stable incoming voltage profiles, or dynamically regulate a fluctuating voltage profile to maintain a specified set level. Put simply, by lowering the incoming voltage, overall electricity consumption is reduced, which positively impacts on energy costs and carbon emissions.

Any technology implemented as part of a power resilience strategy within the NHS must be proven to be reliable and fully comply to the technical requirements and best practice guidelines laid out in relevant Health Technical Memoranda (HTM). As power disruption from the Grid is becoming an increasing problem for healthcare providers across the UK, voltage regulation can help organisations address this issue.

CASE STUDIES

Here, we look at how two NHS customers – a large teaching hospital and a smaller-scale health centre – cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the UK’s largest NHS Foundation Trusts, employing more than 15,000 staff and caring for over a million patients each year across five hospitals and within the local community. Nearly 6,000 staff work at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical roles. The hospital has around 850 beds for the care of inpatients, a minor injuries unit, and specialist outpatient clinics including a prosthetic eye department and ophthalmology centre.

While championing a ‘Be Green’ initiative, the Trust has to ensure that any measures implemented do not compromise power resilience. All energy saving initiatives in which the Trust invests must be tried, tested and offer a good ROI, and all technologies must be HTM compliant.

Following a comprehensive review of power usage on-site, Powerstar recommended implementing voltage regulation technology. The installation has achieved a 5.1 per cent saving in energy consumption, as well as a reduction in the power demand from the Grid of 11.57 per cent. The obvious benefits are a cut in energy costs as well as a reduction in the Trust’s carbon emissions as it works towards NHS net zero targets. A critical aspect of voltage reduction, and one which is highly beneficial to the NHS, is the protection that modern voltage reduction technology provides to vital equipment. Life expectancy of expensive and specialist kit is increased and maintenance costs reduced – helping with budgetary constraints and offering longer-term carbon emission reduction through less frequent need for replacement.

While the benefits of a power resilience strategy are obvious within the context of large-scale hospitals, similar benefits are equally evident for smaller-scale and more locally focused NHS providers. One such practice is Widnes Health Care Resource Centre. Opened in 2006, the Centre and its infrastructure is relatively new and home to Oaks Place Surgery, a small GP practice that has been serving the people of Widnes for more than 30 years. The aim of the Centre is to promote and deliver effective, comprehensive primary health care services, to the highest standards, within a friendly and supportive environment.

Powerstar installed a 226kVA voltage regulation system at the site. This has eliminated 46.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, providing a net return on investment for the Centre in two years and three months. As part of an energy saving and carbon reduction strategy, this represents a 15.7 per cent reduction in overall energy consumption. In addition, as part of the requirement to reduce costs, annual savings on energy bills are £8,385.

The issues facing the management of NHS facilities are complex and, as the organisation continues to work towards its 2040 target for achieving net zero in the context of a global pandemic and a volatile energy market, these complexities are unlikely to ease. A successful power resilience strategy can help, enabling healthcare providers to ensure stable energy supply as well as reducing energy costs and protecting vital equipment.