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Energy disruptions have significant implications for patients at both hospitals and residential care facilities. Several of the casualties from Irma, Katrina and Sandy can be linked to a lack of adequate power during and after those events. In 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) contracted with Arup to conduct an Energy Resilience Assessment for 12 state-owned medical and residential care facilities. The sites were selected for their housing of difficult-to-relocate residents who live on-site 24/7. In some cases, residents include at-risk patient populations, such as those on life-support systems. For all sites, an extended loss of utility service could render the facility non-operational and require costly and potentially risky patient or client relocations. The presentation will provide an overview of the energy resilience gaps observed, and provide a methodology for studying the feasibility of using clean energy systems (such as CHP, Solar + Storage, Fuel Cells, wind, etc.) to increase the on-site resilience. Lessons learned regarding the major enablers and challenges to using clean energy systems for resilience will also be presented.

Track 4C: Integrating Renewables & Low Carbon Solutions

Speakers

Geoff Gunn, Arup
Alan Glynn, Arup