Initiatives > Living Laboratories > LLHC5
LLHC5: Net-zero energy and resilient hospitals – Considerations of future climate, pandemics and demand management
About the project
This project will assist healthcare facility asset managers in operating and managing their building and energy infrastructure assets. It focuses on the design and operation of hospitals taking into account future changes (climate and pandemics), and the impact of those changes on energy demand, renewable energy and demand response capability.
| Project title | Net-zero energy and resilient hospitals – Considerations of future climate, pandemics and demand management |
| Project number | LLHC5 |
| Project location | Brisbane |
| Lead partner | Queensland University of Technology |
| Project partners | Australasian Health Infrastructure Alliance |
| Project participants | Queensland Children’s Hospital Uniting Care Mater Group Stantec |
| Start date | 07/02/2022 |
| End date | 30/06/2022 |
| ARENA/i-Hub funding | $72,222 |
| Total project cost | $226,546 |
Need
The project addresses four gaps relating to energy use in hospital operations:
- The potential for using hospital generator assets for electricity market participation is unknown.
- The impact of future climates on hospital indoor conditions and energy demand and consumption is unknown
- The energy impact of pandemic mode of operating HVAC in hospitals is unknown
- The impact of both of these, on net zero energy emissions and renewable energy utilisation is unknown
Action
Building simulation will be used to model two hospitals and simulate their thermal performance and heating/cooling energy use under current and future weather files. Simulations will encompass 10 locations around Australia. Data analysis will determine impact on renewable energy utilisation.
Similarly simulation will model the impact of pandemic mode ventilation requirements on typical hospital zones.
Market analysis will investigate opportunities for hospital participation in the electricity market utilising their generator assets.
Outcome
The learnings from the project are expected to supplement and/or inform the Australian Health Facility Guidelines and other hospital and healthcare facility design and operation procedures. It is expected to result in the design of more resilient healthcare facilities; in refined HVAC operation to meet the healthcare needs of occupants whilst reducing onsite energy use and peak demand; in increasing renewable energy hosting capacity; and in increasing demand response/market participation by healthcare facilities.
Project reports
Evaluation Framework
All sub-projects within i-Hub are evaluated as part of the ongoing i-Hub project management process. Evaluation is completed by the project manager and reviewed by the Activity Leaders Group and i-Hub Steering Committee.