UC Irvine Unveils Largest All-Electric Hospital in the U.S.

The opening of the largest all-electric hospital in the United States is set for March 20, 2024, at UC Irvine in Orange County. UCI Health–Irvine will provide 144 beds and is only the second medical center of its kind in the country. The facility aims to enhance patient comfort while significantly reducing its carbon footprint, addressing concerns related to climate change.

Traditionally, hospitals have relied on natural gas for heating and hot water, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations, buildings are responsible for over one-third of global greenhouse gases. UCI’s all-electric design eliminates the need for natural gas, which has positive implications for both the environment and public health.

Jess Langerud, the principal project manager, highlighted the innovative kitchen facilities, which feature an electric fryer. “You still have to have your crunchy fries, right?” he remarked during a tour of the hospital. Instead of conventional stovetops, the kitchen will utilize infrared grills that can create sear marks typically associated with flame-broiling.

Energy Efficiency Innovations

The hospital’s energy efficiency extends beyond the kitchen. A significant aspect of the facility is its water heating system, featuring a lengthy row of 100-gallon heaters. Joe Brothman, the director of general services at UCI Health, noted, “This is an immense electrical load we’re looking at right here.” Additionally, the hospital will implement rooftop heat pumps to maintain optimal indoor temperatures year-round. Brothman described the system as possibly “the largest array this side of the Mississippi.”

Despite the facility’s advancements in sustainability, it will still rely on diesel generators for backup power. These generators, which are essential for maintaining operations during power outages, have a capacity of 3 megawatts each. UCI Health has installed four of these units, accompanied by underground tanks holding 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The necessity of these generators stems from the hospital’s design timeline, which began six years ago, before the rise of more advanced solar-plus-storage systems.

While the use of diesel generators raises environmental concerns, Brothman emphasized their importance for patient safety, stating, “If an emergency facility loses power, people die.” Regular testing is mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure the generators function properly.

Aiming for LEED Platinum Certification

UCI Health’s commitment to sustainability extends into its construction materials. The project team, led by Tony Dover, is pursuing LEED Platinum certification, the highest designation awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally sustainable architecture. The use of low-carbon concrete throughout the facility has been a strategic choice to further mitigate environmental impact.

Alexi Miller, a mechanical engineer at the New Buildings Institute, called the new UCI hospital a significant milestone. He expressed hope that more hospitals will adopt similar all-electric designs while noting some areas for improvement, such as the choice of hot water heaters. “Had they chosen to go with heat-pump hot water heaters, they could have powered it roughly three times as long,” Miller remarked.

Looking ahead, other all-electric hospitals are set to emerge. UCLA Health plans to open a 119-bed neuropsychiatric hospital in 2026, while a Kaiser Permanente facility in San Jose is scheduled for completion in 2029. These projects reflect a growing trend towards sustainable healthcare solutions, showcasing the potential for reducing the carbon footprint in medical facilities worldwide.