As part of its ongoing programme to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, NHS Ayrshire and Arran installed Sabien Technology’s M2G boiler load optimisation controls to increase the energy efficiency of the existing boiler plant and reduced energy costs at Biggart Hospital in Prestwick. The 166-bed day hospital provides facilities to care for patients after discharge from acute care or directly from the community setting.

An initial measurement and verification project was initiated for three months to five boilers, and the energy savings were measured and validated in line with the principles of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP). This included the use of Degree Day data to normalise fuel consumption in relation to variation in ambient temperatures. In additional to the M2Gs being installed, Sabien installed independent GSM monitoring equipment to collate the data and analyse the energy savings.

During the three-month winter period, average energy savings of 9% with a payback period of 1.3 years and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 53 tonnes pa were achieved. As a result of the M&V project the M2G technology has now been rolled out to other hospitals and healthcare centres across the NHS Ayrshire and Arran estate.

Cost savings have increased to 12%

Energy Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Alastair Kay recalled: “We are committed to improving our energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint. To that end we continually look and evaluate technology for saving energy, specifically those which will deliver best value. Since the initial M&V project we have continued to analyse the performance, and the cost savings have increased to 12%. This is because dry cycling would have increased during the milder periods of the heating season, which M2G is now preventing. The project paid back in just six months. Furthermore, the delivery of the project has been seamless with minimal impact on our resources.”