International Journal on Architectural Science, Volume 5, Number 1, p.

11-19, 2004

ENERY COST AND CONSUMPTION IN A LARGE ACUTE HOSPITAL

S.C. Hu, J.D. Chen and Y.K. Chuah
Department of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology 1, Section 3, Chung-Hsiao East Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan ROC
(Received 16 April 2003; Accepted 28 October 2003)

ABSTRACT
This paper presents the measured results of electricity consumption and cost in a large acute hospital in subtropical Taipei City of Taiwan ROC from August 2001 to July 2002. It was found that air-conditioning is the major electricity end use, accounting for more than 50% of the total building energy use. The highest monthly EUI (Energy Use Intensity) value comes out in July with monthly value of 25.5 kWhm-2month-1 and the annual EUI value was 259.45 kWhm-2year-1. The highest overall DUI (Demand Use Intensity) value (45.7 Wm-2) that relates to the electricity contract capacity, appears in August 2001. The highest EUI value found in the region of Operation Theater (OT), in which the EUI value is about three times higher than that in general place. Some approaches to shift peak load are proposed and discussed.

1.

INTRODUCTION

analyze the energy consumption and to identify the possibility of shifting peak load.

Energy efficiency becomes a necessity that cannot be over emphasized for long-term management. It is also the fetal factor to meet the agreements from the United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change. For green buildings, energy efficiency is only a fundamental requirement. One of the characteristics of developed countries is the old aged society. The demand for health care and medical services in these countries is high. Therefore, the cost of health care and medical service occupies large percentage of the GDP. The floor area of hospitals and clinics is increased ever since. Energy represents the third largest cost in the health care service sector behind staff wages and medicines, hence it is recognized as a major cost area. Energy consumption in hospital buildings exhibit several characteristics in energy use including: (1) air-conditioning and hot water system operate 24 hours a day year round, back-up machines are required, (2) multi-function services required such as surgery, diagnostic, healing, monitoring, food preparation and laundry, (3) some medical treatment equipment consumes huge electricity such as MRT, X ray etc. and (4) weather, operation mold and users style affect the cost and consumption greatly. Open publications regarding detailed electricity consumption in hospital building are rare. Santamouris et al. [1] reported a survey results of energy consumption in hospital and clinic buildings in Hellas area of Greece. Williams et al. [2] surveyed energy cost and consumption in a large acute hospital in UK. Chen et al. [3] conducted a survey of electricity consumption of both hospital and clinic buildings in Taiwan area. In this paper, one of the large educational hospitals in Taipei (Hospital S) is taken as a sample to measure and

2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HOSPITAL

The hospital, located in downtown of Taipei city, is a large educational acute hospital. Table 1 shows the basic data of the hospital, which includes architectural data, occupant number, electricity contract capacity, and temperature set point. Table 2 lists the major energy-consumption items including A/C facilities, utilizes and medical equipment. According to the capacities of the characteristics and the operating mode of the facilities listed in Table 2, the peak load of electricity is estimated as shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that if the absorption chiller is not in use, then the air-conditioning system would consume about 70 % of the total electricity. Among them, the chillers, the chilled water pumps, and the fan of the cooling towers would need 43.94% of the total electricity. The lighting system consumes 19.22% of electricity. The elevators and escalators need 2.17% of the electricity.

3.

MEASURED DISCUSSION

RESULTS

AND

The monitoring of power consumption was carried out by using the existing power monitoring system, and integrated with computer networking to collect the power consumption data. To analyze the energy efficiency, the electricity consumption is categorized as three major items: air-conditioning, lighting, and all others.

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Table 1: Basic data of the hospital Hospital category Location No. of floors Direction Ratio of window area Total floor area Area with air-conditioning Area for non-all time air-conditioned Area at Office area (including conference room) Restaurant and supermarket Clinic area Other air-conditioned area No. of clients Occupancy No. of beds Contract capacity Emergency capacity Temperature set point Moisture set point Table 2: The major energy consumption items Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Description 600 RT chiller 3 (420 kW 3), chilled water pump 3 (30 kW 3), cooling tower fan 3 (22 kW 3), cooling water pump 3 (95 kW 3) 350 RT absorption chiller (7.5 kW), chilled water pump 3 (30 kW 3), cooling tower fan (22 kW, back up), cooling water pump (75 kW) Zone water pumps 7 (55*3+45*2+19*2) kW = 293 kW Air handling unit 90 sets Fan coil unit 720 sets Exhaust fan, 87 sets Supply fan, ventilating fan, 33 sets Packaged air-conditioning, 5 sets Kitchen exhaust fan, 13 sets Kitchen equipment Lighting Elevator, escalator Drainage pump Pressurizing pump Gas Water treatment Computer Medical equipment CSR supplier Other equipment Max. load (kW) 1701 135 293 381 95 170 161 78 41 100 708 170 194 77 70 56 48 854 54 100 Medical center Taipei city 10 floors and 4 basements North-South 50% in each direction 77,695 m2 59,718 m2 23253.25 m2 12988.93 m2 15308.38 m2 493 m2 14032.74 m2 3633.39 m2 120000 people/month peak hour: about 1600 people/hour normal hour: about 1200 people/hour 900 (occupied rate around 85-100%) 3300 kW 3000 kW 24oC 60%

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outlet 1% lighting 19%

elevator 2%

PC 1% medical treatment eq. 1% 600RT chiller+pump 3 44%

cooking facility 1% package AHU 3% supply fan 2% AHU 13%

zone pump 7% exhaust fan 1% FCU 2%

Fig. 1: Capacity of all equipments

3.1 Analysis of the Power Consumption

3.1.1 Monthly power consumption The task starts from August 2001. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that in July 2002, the electricity consumption reaches the peak. In winter, the electricity consumption gets lower due to the lower temperature. From March 2002, the weather gets warmer, so the power required in air-conditioning system is rising. The power consumption in lighting and utility does not show seasonal variations. In February, the power consumption is lower because there are only 28 days in this month. The Chinese Lunar New Year is also in February. 3.1.2 Daily power consumption Fig. 3 is the day-by-day analysis of power consumption for air-conditioning, lighting, and utility in the month of July 2002. Obviously in holidays, the power consumption is low because most of the offices and clinics is closed. The air-conditioning, lighting, and utility are all in partial load operation. 3.1.3 Hourly power consumption Fig. 4 is the hour-by-hour analysis of the energy consumption in one day. The energy consumption is increasing from 8 oclock in the morning. Then, it starts decreasing from 5 oclock in the evening. This trend matches with the activity of the occupancy. 3.1.4 Analysis of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) The original definition of Energy Use Intensity (EUI, with unit of kWhm-2year-1) is the average electricity

consumption in unit area per year. In this report, the time frame is shrunk to month for comparison. Fig. 5 shows the variation of EUI in each month for air-conditioning, utility and lighting. It can be seen from this figure that most of the electricity is consumed by the air-conditioning system. The monthly trend is similar to the total annual energy consumption with average EUI value of 259.45 kWhm-2year-1. The electricity consumption in operating theaters was monitored individually in the day of May 14 2002. The result is shown in Table 3, which reveals that the air-conditioning region of OT area consumes 38.8 kW of electricity, about 3.02% of the total electricity consumption due to air-conditioning of the building (1281.72 kW). In terms of electricity consumption in unit area (EUI), the EUI value for air-conditioning in OT is three times (i.e. 45.06 kWhm-2month-1 / 15.97 kWhm-2month-1) higher then that in general area. Therefore, the Operating Theater is the most electricity-consuming area. 3.1.5 Analysis of Demand Use Intensity (DUI) Fig. 6 shows the monthly electricity peak load. In August 2001 the peak load is 3551 kW, more than any other month. The next step is to analyze daily electricity data. The peak load in August 2001 is on August 28. Fig. 7 is the instant power monitoring data on August 28. The peak of the day appeared at 9 oclock in the morning. This is because at that moment, all the air-conditioning systems is running at full power. Later, when the temperature reaches the stable state, the return air becomes cooler, the air-conditioning system can then run in partial load. The load is then decreased.

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A/C 1200000

equipment

lighting

monthly electricity consumption(kWh)

1000000

800000

600000

400000

200000

0 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

monthly

Fig. 2: Monthly electricity consumption

A/C
3000

equipment

lighting

total

2500

electricity consumption(kW)

2000

1500

1000

500

0 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/13 7/14 7/15 7/16 7/17 7/18 7/19 7/20 7/21 7/22 7/23 7/24 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/28 7/29 7/30 7/31 7/1 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/5 7/6 7/7 7/8 7/9

date

Fig. 3: Daily electricity consumption in July 2002

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A/C
3500 3000

equipment

lighting

total

electricity consumption(kW)

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

02 :0 0 03 :0 0 04 :0 0 08 :0 0 09 :0 0 10 :0 0 11 :0 0 05 :0 0 14 :0 0 15 :0 0 17 :0 0 21 :0 0 22 :0 0
7

HOUR

Fig. 4: Hourly electricity consumption

A/C
30.00

equipment

lighting

total

25.00

20.00

kWh/

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6

monthly

Fig. 5: Monthly EUI values Table 3: Electricity consumption and the EUI value in OT Area (m2) The whole hospital A/C region of the hospital area OT area A/C region of the OT area 77695.00 59718.00 640.70 640.70 Electricity consumption (kW) 2411.67 1281.72 66.27 38.80 EUI (kWhm-2month-1) 23.09 15.97 76.95 45.06

20 :0 0

23 :0 0

16 :0 0

00 :0 0

12 :0 0

18 :0 0

01 :0 0

06 :0 0

07 :0 0

13 :0 0

19 :0 0

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A/C
4000 3500

equipment

lighting

total

electricity consumption(kW)

3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

monthly

Fig. 6: Monthly peak load

A/C
4000 3500

equipment

lighting

total

electricity consumption(kW)

3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

HOUR

Fig. 7: Electricity data on August 28 The definition of DUI is the peak electricity demand per unit area. The unit of DUI is Wm-2. Fig. 8 shows the monthly DUI values of the hospital. The data in Fig. 8 includes the total DUI and DUIs for air-conditioning, utility and lighting. It can be seen from the figure that the highest overall DUI value (45.7 Wm-2) is in August 2001. The DUI for air-conditioning in Hospital S is higher than utility or lighting. The trend for air-conditioning is also similar to the overall DUI. While DUI for lighting and utility remains almost the same throughout the year, with utility DUI slightly higher than lighting DUI. Therefore, air-conditioning is responsible for peak electricity demand per unit area. The demand of air-conditioning decides the contract capacity.

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A/C
40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00

equipment

lighting

W/

20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

monthly

Fig. 8: Monthly DUI values 3.1.6 Comparison of EUI and DUI The overall power consumption index can be analyzed by EUI and DEI. From Figs. 5 and 8, it is found that in June, the air-conditioning consumes the most power throughout the year. Then, the DUI decreases gradually until February. The variation rate (difference between maximum and minimum divided by the average) is less than 62.4%. If the variation rate goes over 62.4%, then the system is running abnormally and has to be repaired immediately. In February, the demand in air-conditioning is the least in the year then starts increasing. This is because the demand is proportional to outside temperature. While the lighting and utility remains the same throughout the year. It is found that the average monthly EUI is 21.08 (kWhm-2month-1 while the yearly EUI is 259 kWhm-2month-1. The investigation in ref. 3 shows that the magnitude of EUI in the medical center in Northern Taiwan is about 277 kWhm-2month-1. Compared with the data in ref. 3, Hospital S has a lower EUI value. This means that the energy management in Hospital S is better. However, there are still some rooms for improvement and will be discussed later. (operating theater is 22oC), the relative humidity is 55%.

3.3 Cost Analysis of Energy Consumption

The heat capacity of different energy sources can be calculated as follows. For electricity, one kWhr is equal to 860 kcal. For natural gas, one cubic meter of natural gas is about 9000 kcal. Gas is primary energy so the efficiency is about 30%. Fig. 10 shows 88% heat capacity used in the hospital in the form of electricity. Fig. 11 is the annual energy cost in pie chart form. It can be seen from the figure that 65% of the total energy cost goes to electricity. Although the gas thermal heat capacity only occupies 12% as shown in Fig. 10, the natural gas cost about 19% of the total energy. This is because that hot water generation and absorption water chiller uses natural gas as fuel, and the unit price of natural gas is pretty high.

3.4 Approaches for Reducing the Peak Hour Demanding of Electricity

3.4.1 Shifting peak load by using absorption chillers The measured data shows that when the A/C system is running with three centrifugal chillers without turning on the absorption chiller, the electricity consumption is 2865 kW. The total electricity consumption could go over the contract capacity of 3300 kW anytime when the other facilities are running in full capacity at the same time. With an absorption chiller, only two centrifugal chillers are

3.2 Analysis of Electricity Consumption by Facilities

Fig. 9 shows the electricity distribution accumulated from August 2001 to July 2002. It can be seen that the air-conditioning takes out 52%, lighting takes 12%, and other utility takes about 36%. The set point temperature in air-conditioning spaces is 24oC

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required. In such a case, the total electricity consumption can be reduced to 2372 kW. The absorption water chiller needs 74.5 kW only. The entire air-conditioning system then has room for reducing the contract capacity to save cost. The fuel of the steam boilers in this hospital is natural gas, which can provide the heat required by the absorption chiller. The cost of natural gas is higher than fossil fuel however, fossil fuel needs extra expense to abate the exhaust air pollution.

3.4.2 Shifting peak load by energy management Shutting down some facilities temporary could reduce peak electricity load. Fig. 11 shows that reducing chillers load is the most effective method because it contributes 43% of the total electricity capacity that could be shut down. The next effective facility is the ventilating fans in parking lot and other exhaust fans, which could contribute 22% of the total electricity capacity.

lighting 12%

equipment 36%

A/C 52%

Fig. 9: Electricity usage in facilities

gas thermal capacity 12%

electricity thermal capacity 88%

Fig. 10: Heat capacity variation of the year 2002

gas 19%

liquid oxygen 4%

water 12%
Fig. 10: Annual energy cost

electricity 65%

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chiller 43%

AHU 18%

chill water zone pump 1%

lighting 16%

supply/exhaust fan 22%

Fig. 11: Facilities and their contributions (in terms of percentage of the total electricity capacity), which may be shut down temporary for shifting peak load

4.

CONCLUSION

2.

This study investigates the power consumption and cost in a large-scale acute hospital during the period of August 2001 to July 2002 by field measurement. The air-conditioning takes 52%, lighting takes 12%, and other utility takes about 36% of the total electricity consumption in this hospital building. About 88% heat capacity used in the hospital is in the form of electricity. The peak load takes place at nine oclock in the morning of on August 28. The peak of the day appeared at 9 oclock in the morning. To shift the peak load of electricity consumption, adoption of absorption chiller and temporary shut down of a chiller are the two most effective means. The highest EUI value is found in the region of the operation theater, in which the EUI value is about three times higher then that in general place. The results of this study can be used as reference data to similar research for other hospital buildings.

J.M. Williams, A.J. Griffiths, D. Johns and P.N. Eaton, Energy consumption in large acute hospitals, Energy and Environment, Vol. 6, Issue 2 (1995). R.L. Chen, Y.K. Chuah and W.S. Lee, A survey of the total energy consumption of health care and shopping mall buildings in Taiwan area, Project number MOIS 892032, Building Research Institute, Minister of Internal Affairs, October (2000).

3.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Energy Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan ROC and the Chinese Architecture Center. Y.M. Lin, J.S. Fan and K. Lee are also appreciated for their help in preparing the raw data.

REFERENCES
1. M. Santamoris, E. Dascalaki, C. Balaaras, A. Argiriou and A. Gaglia, Energy performance and energy conservation in health care buildings in Hellas, Energy Conservation and Management, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 293-305 (1994).

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