How decentralised energy can transform healthcare

The healthcare sector is at a crossroads. With rising energy costs, grid instability, and ambitious net zero targets, healthcare providers are searching for smart, sustainable solutions. The answer? Onsite energy generation. 

Onsite energy generation means producing energy right where you need it, rather than relying solely on the grid. Imagine your hospital roof covered in solar panels, batteries storing clean power for emergencies, and smart controls optimising every watt.  

These solutions can work independently or alongside the grid, giving you flexibility, control, and peace of mind. 

The technologies powering healthcare’s energy revolution 

Solar PV and Battery Storage 

Solar PV harnesses the power of the sun, to turn rooftops, car parks and unused land into clean energy generators. For hospitals and clinics, this means a reliable, predictable source of electricity that can dramatically cut energy bills. Pairing Solar with Battery Storage takes things to the next level: Batteries store excess Solar energy for use during peak times or emergencies, ensuring that critical services stay powered even if the grid goes down. It’s a win-win for cost savings, carbon and resilience. 

Hydrogen-Ready Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems 

CHP systems are the multitaskers of the energy world, generating both electricity and useful heat from a single fuel source. Modern CHP units can run on natural gas today, and transition to hydrogen or biogas in the future, supporting long-term net zero ambitions. They’re also much more efficient than traditional boilers, so many organisations save up to 40% on their energy costs when they make the switch to CHP. It’s a smart choice for estates looking to future-proof their energy infrastructure. 

Heat Pumps 

Heat Pumps are a low-carbon alternative to traditional boilers, extracting heat from the air, water, or ground to provide efficient heating. Heat Pumps can reduce your carbon emissions by up to 66%, compared to a gas boiler. When powered completely by renewables, they can be considered carbon neutral, offering a truly sustainable solution for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare buildings. Heat pumps are especially effective in buildings with consistent heating needs, delivering comfort while slashing carbon emissions. 

Microgrids  

Microgrids are self-contained energy systems that can operate independently or alongside the main grid. They link a range of different onsite generation technologies, usually including Solar, Batteries, CHP, Heat Pumps and smart controls. It’s an ideal option for healthcare providers with grid connectivity constraints; or as a way to safeguard resilience and continuity in the event of power outages on the grid. 

Smart controls and IoT-enabled systems 

Smart controls and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are the brains behind modern energy systems. They enable real-time monitoring, fault detection, and dynamic optimisation of energy assets. For healthcare estates, this means maximum efficiency, minimum downtime, and the ability to respond instantly to changing conditions. Smart controls ensure that every kilowatt is used wisely, supporting both operational and sustainability goals. 

Why should healthcare estates get excited about decentralised energy? 

1. Resilience that protects patients: Picture a patient on heart bypass, their life sustained by machines that must not fail. Onsite energy generation means those machines stay powered with cleaner, cheaper energy, no matter what’s happening beyond the hospital walls.
2. Cost savings that last: Onsite energy slashes energy bills. What’s more, with smart funding models like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), you can unlock savings without upfront capital
3. Carbon reduction that counts: Decentralised systems help you hit net zero goals by swapping fossil fuels for renewables and low-carbon alternatives. Every Solar panel, Heat Pump, and Battery brings you closer to a cleaner, greener future
4. Smarter estates, smarter care: When energy assets are integrated with smart controls real-time monitoring, fault detection, and dynamic optimisation mean your estate runs smoothly, efficiently, and sustainably. 

Blending onsite energy generation technologies with deep retrofits can deliver even stronger results. Not every hospital will be rebuilt from scratch, but deep retrofits can transform even the oldest buildings. Upgrading insulation, installing efficient lighting, and modernising HVAC systems can dramatically cut costs and carbon, while preserving clinical continuity. 

Decentralised energy is a strategic enabler for healthcare estates. By generating energy locally, healthcare providers can take control of their energy future, reduce emissions, and protect critical services. With the right partners and planning, onsite energy generation can become the cornerstone of infrastructure transformation.