In critical facilities like skilled nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers, energy reliability and efficiency are essential for maintaining patient or resident safety, regulating temperatures, and powering important equipment. However, rising energy costs and aging infrastructure make it increasingly challenging to meet these demands affordably and sustainably. Catalyst Power’s cogeneration system—combined heat and power (CHP)—offers a transformative solution. By simultaneously producing electricity and thermal energy from a single fuel source, cogeneration provides cost-effective, reliable, and efficient energy tailored to the needs of these facilities.
Unlike traditional power generation, which wastes heat as a byproduct, cogeneration captures this thermal energy for heating or cooling purposes. This process achieves up to 90% efficiency compared to the 40-50% efficiency typical of grid electricity and separate heating systems.
Learn more about cogeneration and its benefits here.
Why Cogeneration Is Perfect for Critical Facilities
Cogeneration delivers reliability, efficiency, and sustainability, making it perfect for energy-intensive buildings like hospitals and other essential operations. Combined with renewable energy like solar, it can ensure your facility has a continuous power supply during short-term outages and reduces your energy costs while doing it. Critical facilities operate 24/7 with unique energy requirements that make CHP an ideal choice for these reasons:
- Consistent Energy Demand: These facilities have consistent needs for lighting, HVAC systems, medical equipment, hot water, and more. Cogeneration systems excel in environments with steady demand by continuously producing electricity and heat.
- Resiliency During Outages: Power outages can be catastrophic in healthcare settings. Cogeneration systems paired with a Connected Microgrid® can support your facility’s key functions, like ventilators and refrigeration for medications.
- Energy Cost Savings: Generating electricity onsite while using waste heat reduces energy expenses by 30–60%, with payback periods as short as 3 years or less, depending on local conditions. Don’t want to pay upfront for this investment? Find out how to add an onsite CHP unit without paying for or managing the equipment (spoiler alert: we do both).
How Catalyst Power Supports Critical Facilities
Catalyst Power specializes in implementing cogeneration systems tailored to the specific needs of critical facilities. Here’s how we can help:
- Customized Solutions: We install CHP systems based on your facility’s unique energy requirements to maximize efficiency and savings.
- Seamless Integration: Our team ensures smooth installation with minimal disruption to your operations.
Real-World Impact
But how can you be so sure this is for you? Picture this: you own a skilled nursing facility in NYC, and you’re interested in saving money by implementing energy-efficient systems. For example, your facility could install a cogeneration system to meet your electricity needs while providing hot water for the entire building and heating multiple floors. By rescheduling laundry services to off-peak hours when hot water demand is lower, your center can achieve significant cost savings while maintaining optimal operations.
Similarly, hospitals can save even more and reduce energy costs by a substantial percentage, leading to annual savings that help meet sustainability goals.
Find out if you’re a good candidate for cogeneration with our comprehensive checklist.
Consumer Benefits of Cogeneration
Beyond operational advantages, cogeneration offers broader benefits to these facilities through:
- Improved Patient Comfort: Reliable heating, cooling, and ventilation ensure a comfortable environment for patients and residents.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many states incentivize or mandate energy efficiency improvements (i.e., Local Law 97 in New York City); CHP systems help meet these requirements cost-effectively.
- Future-Proofing Your Bottom Line: As energy prices rise and regulations tighten, cogeneration positions your facility to adapt without costly retrofits.
Unlock Savings with Catalyst Power
Catalyst Power's cogeneration systems are an invaluable solution for skilled nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers looking to reduce costs while improving energy efficiency. By partnering with us, you gain access to innovative technology that meets today’s challenges and prepares your facility for tomorrow’s needs.
