Interregional Hospital Network for Energy Sustainability
The healthcare industry belongs to the most energy intensive sectors in Europe. 6.000 kWh electricity and 29.000 kWh heat per year and bed (Viamedica (2009): “Klinergie 2020”) are consumed. That energy consumption equals two modern single-family houses. Apart from a 24/7 heating or cooling demand there are additional energy needs for sterilization, lightning, electronic infrastructure and other medical equipment of course. According to recent studies and already realized projects it is possible to reduce the electrical consumption by up to 40% and to decrease the thermal energy demand by at least 30%. Different climate and legal conditions as well as different focus in regard to health care lead to different requirement profiles from an energy perspective. Based on a common Energy Performance Indicator System the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures shall be validated and thus ease replication efforts. In order to promote energy efficiency and energy management in the health sector, a transnational network of hospital operators, research institutes and engineering offices is created. Based on shared energy indicators, building characteristics and energy management processes are compared, going to define specific efficiency measures to be applied transversally to the project partners. A software tool for the evaluation and planning of specific measures will be developed within the project.