Hospitals and healthcare institutions are often large, complex buildings that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that hospital electricity consumption and the associated costs are high. In South Africa, the energy use intensity (EUI) for healthcare facilities is three times higher than a typical commercial building, with energy consumption per bed ranging from 43-92 kWh per day. Then there’s the additional pressure of loadshedding. Sustaining healthcare operations with a constrained energy supply creates significant challenges, so any potential energy savings can help alleviate the impact.

The problem is that most hospitals are unable to quantify or isolate their energy use as they don’t have insight into accurate consumption figures. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities—if they conduct any kind of energy management at all—will typically download the readings of each monitoring meter manually, then create a spreadsheet and try to derive some sort of insight from the data. This lack of reliable, comprehensive, easily accessible data leaves them unable to make informed decisions and forecast consumption, resulting in high energy consumption and bills.

A hospital in Gauteng was facing the challenge of measuring and managing their hospital electricity consumption, THOHO Energy stepped in to help.

The hospital needed more accessible and insightful energy data to:

• Gain awareness of energy consumption
• Identify inefficiencies and wastage
• Improve their operational efficiency
• Maintain and manage the hospital equipment effectively
• Reduce energy costs

Insights and interventions for a Gauteng hospital’s electricity consumption

The hospital initiated a pilot case study aimed at identifying opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce costs. The process began with a comprehensive analysis of their energy usage, starting with an in-depth examination of their July 2023 electricity bill and a discussion of their main paint points. Armed with this data, we installed state-of-the-art energy monitoring software in July 2023 to gain real-time insights into their energy consumption patterns.

In August 2023, the hospital convened a meeting with THOHO and their facility managers to brainstorm potential strategies for reducing energy consumption. Several recommendations emerged from this collaborative effort:

• Identified the prevalence of lights being left on overnight and proposed the installation of automated light switches to mitigate this issue.
• Proposed replacing fluorescent globes with energy-efficient LED globes to further reduce lighting-related energy consumption.
• Opted to shift non-essential operations to off-peak times, such as conducting laundry overnight, to take advantage of lower electricity tariffs.
• Implemented measures to limit access to areas not essential for overnight use, preventing unnecessary energy expenditure on lighting.
• Discouraged the use of under-desk heaters, instead promoting the use of blankets through a blanket drive initiative.

One significant discovery made during this process was the identification of illegal electricity usage. By addressing this issue, the hospital not only improved its energy efficiency but also ensured it was only paying for legitimate energy consumption.

Another breakthrough came when the energy monitoring software detected an abnormal spike in energy consumption on a Saturday, a day when the facility was supposed to be closed. Investigation revealed unauthorised staff usage during this time, prompting immediate action to prevent illicit energy use.

The culmination of these interventions was remarkable. We compared the hospital’s electricity bills from January 2023 to January 2024, illustrating the full impact of the solution after a full 12-month period, and ensuring a like-for-like comparison where each month is evaluated against the corresponding month of the previous year. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment, considering comparable environmental conditions, business operations, and cyclical events.

The hospital witnessed a staggering 43% reduction in energy expenditure from January 2023 to January 2024, a feat made possible by their proactive approach to energy management and adoption of innovative solutions.

Smart energy management saves electricity

Central to the hospital’s success was the adoption of PowerRadar™, a sophisticated energy management platform that provided a holistic view of the hospital’s energy consumption. With its detailed insights and real-time visibility into energy performance, PowerRadar™ empowered the hospital to make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions for maximum impact.

If your organisation is looking to embark on a similar energy-saving journey, consider partnering with THOHO and explore the possibilities of effective energy management. By leveraging technology, adopting best practices, and fostering a culture of sustainability, your business can reduce its environmental footprint while realising substantial cost savings.