Eaton, an intelligent power management company, is collaborating with Bloom Energy to develop a microgrid for a major medical center in California that will reduce energy costs by up to 20% and greenhouse gas emissions by an anticipated 25%. The project will support critical loads during grid outages. Work is expected to be completed later this year.
While the healthcare industry accounts for nearly 8.5% of U.S. carbon emissions, many stakeholders are taking action to minimize the impact of climate change. More than 100 organizations, including Eaton, joined the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
“Healthcare organizations charting the path to a more sustainable future require innovative clean energy solutions that help reduce emissions, drive energy efficiency and improve resilience,” said Igor Stamenkovic, vice president and general manager for Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services & Systems division. “Through close collaboration with healthcare customers and project partners like Bloom Energy, we’re demonstrating how microgrid systems can advance decarbonization and support always-on power in healthcare environments.”
The medical center project incorporates Eaton’s intelligent microgrid controls and approximately 1.75 megawatts (MW) of Bloom Energy fuel cells. Eaton is also providing turnkey microgrid system design, engineering services and power distribution equipment to help optimize the microgrid for maximum energy savings, resilience and sustainability.
"The industry we trust to protect our health might be one of the most vulnerable to losing energy," said Ashley Shirk, account executive at Bloom Energy. "In today’s reality of increasing uncertainty and elevated risk, it’s essential to implement a power source that provides the strongest layer of protection for critical facilities."
