Optimizing Energy Use in a Healthcare Setting—A Detailed Case Study
Michael Della Barba, Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc.
Hospitals represent a class of high energy use facilities that can benefit from many of the energy saving techniques and products developed for the laboratory setting. The average United States hospital uses approximately 27.5 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and 109.8 cubic feet of natural gas per square foot annually. HVAC systems are typically responsible for 33 percent of the electricity and 56 percent of the natural gas consumed. Given the number and size of these facilities throughout the U.S., modest improvements in efficiency can save a great deal of energy resources.
Hospitals pose some unique challenges for efficiency projects. Each hospital typically represents a variety of environments with differing control requirements, from operating suites and laboratories to various patient environments (e.g., intensive care, recovery, and outpatient) and office areas (e.g., medical and administrative). In addition, most hospital facilities exhibit a wide range of engineering designs due to additions and major renovations performed around a core structure that is often 40 or more years old. Optimization projects often require several unique strategies within the same interconnected facility. Constant renovation projects also present a challenge in monitoring the effectiveness of identified energy saving measures.
This presentation will focus on a single energy optimization case study to illustrate the challenges and opportunities present in a typical healthcare facility. The case itself is a 350,000-square-foot hospital building and separated medical office building located in the Northeast. We will present energy modeling data, monitoring information on major systems, energy saving measures identified, and measured savings.
Biography:
Michael Della Barba manages Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc.'s (EH&E, Inc.) commissioning team, frequently serving as project manager on key projects. Mr. Della Barba has extensive construction project management experience, with projects ranging in size from low-rise office buildings to a 27-story office/hotel complex. Mr. Della Barba's experience includes private, public, and institutional projects, as well as negotiations with owners, architects, engineers, suppliers, and labor unions. Prior to joining EH&E, Inc., Mr. Della Barba designed, developed, and managed the New England Electric System's (now National Grid USA) building commissioning program, which is nationally recognized as an industry leader. Mr. Della Barba holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Boston State College.