Climate change is increasing the prevalence of severe weather events, straining the power grid, threatening the public’s access to reliable energy infrastructure and presenting particularly significant challenges in the health care sector. Unreliable energy access poses a serious risk to critical healthcare systems – sometimes with life-changing impacts.

Between 2011 and 2021, the annual number of weather-related power outages in the U.S. alone increased by roughly 78 percent, highlighting the need for climate resilient-infrastructure, especially in industries like health care where access to energy can mean the difference between life or death for some patients.

Health care facilities rely on consistent energy access in a more serious manner than many other structures. From facilitating life-saving procedures to maintaining ICUs, keeping HVAC systems operating and computers with patient records accessible, these facilities require uninterrupted power to provide necessary care and support all the daily operations. In every environment, from hospitals that provide acute medical care, to assisted living facilities and nursing homes that provide functional and accessibility care or treatment for chronic health conditions, people depend on power for their health and safety. Inconsistent energy availability is a liability for the health care industry and can impact the outcomes of countless people.

Additionally, the cost associated with powering critical loads at large facilities around the clock is a challenge. The average monthly electricity bill for a hospital is around US$78,000, and there are additional insurance and permitting obstacles when considering backup power needs. Health care facilities have extensive financial needs, entailing considerations from compliance to risk management to investment decisions, so strong budget management is crucial to provide quality care and excellent patient experience.

Transitioning backup power solutions from traditional diesel generators or even lithium-ion energy storage systems to emerging innovations in organic water-based flow batteries represents a lucrative and smart opportunity for the health care sector. These systems can bolster facility infrastructure by providing energy resilience, cost efficiency and safety improvements. The pursuit of technological advancements in these batteries, in tandem with other distributed energy resources (DERs), can empower the energy architecture of the future.

Bolstering health care facility operations

U.S. health care facilities comprise approximately 4 billion square feet or 5 percent of total commercial floorspace, but account for about 10 percent of total commercial building energy consumption. This underscores the necessity of reliable energy resources to meet the power demands of their crucial operations.

Typically, hospitals rely on diesel generators for backup power, presenting risks and complications in terms of environmental sustainability, cost and safety, given the flammable nature of the fuel. The efficacy of these generators is particularly at risk during natural disasters because they depend on gas deliveries and could fail if a delivery is delayed or resources are constrained. Diesel fuel stored on site also goes bad after two years. Relying on diesel has negative implications for the facility’s carbon footprint and sustainability goals due to the associated emissions and risk of contamination with spills, not to mention the hassle associated with permitting depending on location and the potential for insurance policy increases.

Aside from the consequences from disruptions to patient care, energy can account for up to 10 percent of a hospital’s budget. These funds could be allocated to other areas to improve patient care, support staff or make facility improvements. The extra resources dedicated to these areas could have outsize impacts on the success of the facility in reaching its patient care and financial vitality goals.

Taking steps to reduce energy costs and implement procedures that improve efficiency can transform patient experience and ease processes for facility managers. As of 2023, hospitals are no longer required to power their primary backup generators with fossil fuels and the implementation of distributed energy with microgrids is now permitted. By adopting these innovations in advanced energy infrastructure, health care facilities can strengthen their operational resilience, reduce their environmental footprint, and create more stable and supportive conditions for both patients and staff.

Water-based organic flow batteries can simplify FM processes

Given that FMs must address health care energy infrastructure challenges with resource efficiency and cost effectiveness in mind, water-based organic flow batteries hold significant potential. Just as with “traditional” lithium-ion batteries, organic flow batteries can supply up to 100 percent of a facility’s crucial backup energy during an instance of power loss or disruption, particularly when paired with on-site renewable energy generation resources like solar panels. Having this reliable energy reinforcement makes patient care environments more resilient, while enabling a host of other benefits.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, organic flow batteries have the lowest levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of all electrochemical battery technologies for long-duration storage. Unlike other prominent battery options, organic flow batteries do not depend on critical minerals, avoiding the associated supply chain complications and costs of sourcing these materials.

Flow batteries also eliminate flammability risks given their water-based electrolytes, lowering insurance costs and mitigating some permitting delays associated with the flammability of lithium-ion batteries. Because they present no fire hazard, this is an ideal solution for facilities in locations prone to wildfires or in densely populated areas. General facility proximity to flammable batteries is also a major concern given the need for full evacuations during a crisis, and organic flow batteries eliminate this possibility.

Additionally, organic flow batteries use the same reliable hardware as vanadium flow batteries, which have already been deployed in the health care industry in the U.S., without the involvement of highly corrosive materials. Organic water-based flow batteries that utilize quinone electrolyte materials free of critical or PFAS materials are also being considered for deployments in the health care sector. These options are also much less corrosive than the incumbent vanadium electrolyte and therefore safer to store near critical infrastructure such as health care facilities.

As health care FMs seek options to enhance sustainability efforts, simplify processes and save on costs, they can benefit from the adoption of organic flow batteries. Their value in increasing energy resiliency, improving efficiency, driving cost savings and creating a safer environment than alternative energy sources is undeniable.

There must be greater awareness of flow across the health care industry. In particular, FMs and other key stakeholders will drive decision-making on the benefits of implementing the technology. It will be crucial to track and publicize the results of existing projects to encourage continued progress in this transition through government initiatives, private sector investments, industry partnerships and commercial sales.