Healthy Power: Reimagining Hospitals as Sustainable Energy Hubs

Nicholas Gurieff; Donna Green; Ilpo Koskinen; Mathew Lipson; Mark Baldry; Andrew Maddocks; Chris Menictas; Jens Noack; Behdad Moghtaderi; Elham Doroodchi

Abstract

Human health is a key pillar of modern conceptions of sustainability. Humanity pays a considerable price for its dependence on fossil-fueled energy systems, which must be addressed for sustainable urban development. Public hospitals are focal points for communities and have an opportunity to lead the transition to renewable energy. We have reimagined the healthcare energy ecosystem with sustainable technologies to transform hospitals into networked clean energy hubs. In this concept design, hydrogen is used to couple energy with other on-site medical resource demands, and vanadium flow battery technology is used to engage the public with energy systems. This multi-generation system would reduce harmful emissions while providing reliable services, tackling the linked issues of human and environmental health.

Funding source: This research was supported by funding from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Digital Grid Futures Institute, UNSW, Sydney, under a cross-disciplinary fund scheme. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the institute.

Keywords: Co-benefits ; Energy Networks ; Energy Storage ; Energy Transitions ; Flow Battery ; Industrial Ecology ; Multi-generational ; Power to X ; Vanadium

Related subjects: Applications & Pathways

Countries: Australia ; Germany