Among the many challenges the NHS currently faces is an urgent need to cut its burgeoning energy costs and, in specialist building management system manufacturer Trend Control Systems’ words, its “massive carbon footprint”.
Part of the solution, the company argues, lies in making better use of existing building energy management systems (BEMS). Optimising their operation and performance can, key account manager John O’Leary explains, bring substantial savings without the need for additional investment.
The NHS has a carbon footprint of 21 million tonnes of CO2 per year, more than the whole such footprint of some entire countries. Despite increases in efficiency, this is 40% higher than in 1990. This means that meeting the Department of Health’s targets of a 10% reduction by 2015 and 80% by 2050 will be a daunting challenge. It will not only require the current of growth in emissions to be curbed, but the trend to be reversed and absolute emissions reduced (Fig. 1). Adding to the pressure is the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, which came into effect at the beginning of last month. It has been estimated that 180 NHS organisations will be affected and, as such, will be required to: r Ensure that energy consumption and carbon emissions are measured accurately, and that energy consumption data is available. r Verify the energy consumption figures provided by the utility supply companies. r Provide an “annual footprint” report to the Environment Agency. r Produce an “evidence pack” with supporting information for the footprint report. r Purchase carbon allowances to cover emissions, and surrender a sufficient quantity of allowances to the Environment Agency each year.
Achieving quick results
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