Cogeneration and Emergency Generation in Health Care Facilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hospitals and other health care facilities with full-time patients and residents have the opportunity to benefit from the installation of cogeneration systems. Unlike other residences, which often have weekday energy peaks as people return from work, health care facilities tend to have a relatively level demand for electricity. Operation of a cogeneration system in such an environment is likely to be both efficient and practical. Also, governmental subsidies can offset a portion of the initial costs and decrease the project's payback period. Cogeneration systems cannot generally be used for emergency generation in light of the typical start up time requirements. However, they can be used in conjunction with emergency generators provide enhanced reliability. Cogeneration can also help smooth out the unintended “voltage sags” and instantaneous grid outages that can occur unexpectedly. These undesirable conditions can trip medical diagnostic equipment and cost the hospital or health care facility de...