Do hospitals need a backup power system?

Many hospitals have an aging electrical infrastructure, so assessing whether their backup power systems meet modern standards is essential. Facilities relying on older generators or insufficient fuel reserves risk delays in restoring power, which could potentially endanger lives.

What happens if a hospital's power system goes out?

A single power outage could compromise patient care, interrupt surgeries or disable critical systems. Many hospitals have an aging electrical infrastructure, so assessing whether their backup power systems meet modern standards is essential.

How many backup generators does a hospital need?

The number of backup generators required depends on a hospital’s size, layout, and energy needs. Critical areas such as ICUs, operating rooms, and life support systems must be prioritized to ensure uninterrupted power. “A single generator represents a single point of failure.”

How do hospitals prepare for a power outage?

Hospitals must document contingency plans for power outages and validate their effectiveness through routine drills. DNV encourages hospitals to integrate risk management, such as EPSS All-Hazards Risk Assessments, into their emergency preparedness programs to identify vulnerabilities and improve resilience.

Can a microgrid help a healthcare facility save energy?

As the first of its kind, this project demonstrated the ability of a microgrid to support and sustain the functions of a healthcare facility and to overcome barriers to its deployment. As a result, Richmond Medical Center stands to save an additional 2.63 MWh of energy per year, resulting in annual savings as high as $394,000.