How Battery Energy Storage Units Can Help Hospitals
In the healthcare sector, the importance of an uninterrupted supply of power cannot be overstated. Hospitals rely on a continuous flow of electricity to power life-saving equipment, maintain critical systems and ensure patient safety. Any disconnection, even for a few seconds, can have consequences - from disrupting surgeries to compromising patient care.
When building new facilities or if an existing site is experiencing a long-term drop in its power supply, it’s imperative that a reliable source of temporary power is in place. Traditionally, diesel generators, often in an N+1 configuration, would provide this. To learn more about the synchronisation of generators, have a read of our blog entitled: why do we synchronise generators?
In recent years, Battery Energy Storage units have answered the requirement for a quiet, stable, and flexible source of temporary power. When combined with a diesel generator, a hybrid power solution can provide hospitals with a uniquely beneficial offering.
How BES Units Support Traditional Power Solutions
One of the primary advantages of BES units is their ability to provide a constant, dependable power supply. However, it's important to note that BES units are designed to work in conjunction with diesel generators or other external power supplies, not replace them entirely.
Hospitals are dynamic environments where power demands can vary depending on the time of day, patient load, and the specific needs of different departments. BES units are highly adaptable and can efficiently manage these changing power demands. When paired with a diesel generator, the BES unit can absorb the fluctuations in power demand, allowing the generator to operate more efficiently to recharge the battery. This means that the diesel generator can be smaller than the one typically required for the hospital's full power load, as it no longer needs to handle peak demands on its own.
Low Emission Power in Healthcare
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important focus in the healthcare sector, and BES units can play a crucial role in achieving greener operations. While diesel generators are often still a necessary source of temporary power, the integration of a BES unit can significantly reduce the run time of a generator and, as a result, cut emissions and fuel consumption. Traditionally, a generator would run constantly to supply power, no matter the size of the load. By implementing a battery energy storage solution, the battery can provide power during low-load periods like at night.
Cost Efficiency
As previously discussed, BES units can work with a generator to handle larger combined loads, meaning a smaller generator, which will consume less diesel, can be used. This hybrid power solution also increases the generator's efficiency by ensuring it runs at the most efficient load.
With fluctuating power requirements, it’s difficult for hospitals to keep a consistent power load on generators, let alone to ensure the load is close to its optimum level. Generators are most efficient at 75% of their capacity, and when charging up a battery unit, you can make sure the load is exactly right. This results in fuel savings and less reliance on diesel, particularly during extended power outages.
Sizing and Implementation
Proper sizing and integration are critical to the successful performance of BES units in a hospital setting. When hiring a BES unit, it’s essential to assess the hospital's specific energy needs and ensure that the unit chosen can handle the facility's peak demand. This means selecting a diesel generator that can operate efficiently alongside the BES unit is just as important to ensure seamless power delivery during outages.
For more detailed information on BES unit sizing and implementation, read our dedicated sizing blog, which provides comprehensive guidance on selecting the right BES unit for your facility.
Power Electrics has partnered with various healthcare facilities to help them use technologies like BES units to address the unique challenges of their projects. Compleo Health was able to cut its emissions by 70% using a battery energy storage solution to reduce the size of the generator required and its runtime. You can find out more about this project.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Power Electrics can provide a bespoke power package for your next project, click the link below to speak with one of our team.
