NYC Health + Hospitals Saves Millions and Reduces Carbon Footprint through Energy Efficiency
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Soon to Install Energy-Saving Cogeneration System
Three NYC Health + Hospitals Employees Recognized by DCAS for Energy Excellence
Dec 02, 2016
NYC Health + Hospitals is reporting a decrease in energy use of more than 10 percent system-wide in fiscal year 2016. Price reductions in the cost of fuel and decreased usage combine to produce $21 million in savings for the system. An important benefit to the reduction in energy consumption is an accompanying decrease in greenhouse gases. The health care system reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 24.14 percent between 2007 and 2016 and is on track to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 50 percent by 2025.
“NYC Health + Hospitals is pursuing greater efficiencies, especially cost-saving ones, wherever we can find them,” said Antonio D. Martin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Our energy story is an ongoing one, with the potential to save money, improve the dependability of our energy, increase energy security for the rest of our communities, and reduce greenhouse gases. In addition, we are benefiting from grant funding to implement plans to make us even more efficient. This success is one of the early signs of progress in our efforts to increase efficiencies as part of the transformation of our health care system.”
NYC Health + Hospitals received over $34 million in grants for energy-saving projects in fiscal year 2016. The majority of grants were awarded through the Accelerated Conservation and Efficiency program of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Most of NYC Health + Hospitals’ energy efficiency projects are managed and constructed through an agreement with the New York Power Authority.
Next Up: New Cogeneration System in Brooklyn
NYC Health + Hospitals’ board of directors has approved the installation of a cogeneration system at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. The 1.6 megawatt micro-turbine cogeneration system will help the hospital reduce energy costs by more than $10 million over the next decade. Cogeneration technology is both cost and energy efficient and an example of the common sense steps NYC Health + Hospitals is embracing as the system moves toward its 2020 transformation goals.
“Our new cogeneration system makes NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County a better neighbor, and partner in the push for environmental and fiscal responsibility,” said Ernest Baptiste, CEO of Kings County. “This smart technology is a welcomed addition to Kings County and will improve our long-term sustainability from both a financial and green perspective.”
Kings County’s cogeneration system will simultaneously produce electricity and heat from a single fuel source. The system, often referred to as combined heat and power, will generate electricity on site and then convert “waste” heat into usable energy. This environmentally conscience method will also enhance and extend the lifespan of existing boilers in order to maximize energy efficiency.
The cogeneration project is being funded by a grant from DCAS. DCAS’s New York City Clean Energy Program has allocated $5,737,739 in the PlaNYC capital budget. In addition, The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Con Edison have each awarded $1.5 million grants as a financial incentive for implementing energy-efficient technology.
Kings County’s cogeneration system will help to mitigate the growing demands on the local Brownsville substation, particularly during the annual peak load season from June through September. The project is predicted to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 3,259 metric tons.
The installation of the cogeneration system is scheduled for completion by May 2017.
DCAS Recognizes NYC Health + Hospital Employees
DCAS recognized Ruby Cruz, a member of NYC Health + Hospitals/Corporate Energy Unit, as “Energy Manager of the Year” for 2016, acknowledging her excellence in energy efficiency management. The citywide award honors notable achievements in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. DCAS also recognized Joseph Ricco III, a senior stationary engineer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, as one of its “Energy Champions” for 2016. “Energy Champions” are recognized for their efforts in energy management at New York City’s largest energy-consuming agencies.
The recognition of NYC Health + Hospitals employees for excellence in energy efficiency is not new. In 2015, Marcus Lewis, who, like Ms. Cruz, works for the NYC Health + Hospitals/Corporate Energy Unit, was recognized by DCAS as “Energy Analyst of the Year.”