Valley Children Ensures Energy Resiliency With Pioneering Microgrid Project

Valley Children s Healthcare has initiated a groundbreaking microgrid project in Madera, California, aimed at enhancing the hospital s energy resilience and sustainability. The innovative system, which includes solar panels, fuel cells, and battery storage, will generate, store, and distribute electricity, significantly reducing the hospital s dependence on fossil fuels. The microgrid, one of the largest renewable energy systems connected to a hospital emergency system in the country, will provide a reliable, clean energy source, ensuring uninterrupted care for patients even during power outages. The project is expected to cover 80% of the hospital s energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%, and save $15 million in energy costs over the next 25 years. The renewable energy technologies incorporated in the microgrid, including solar photovoltaic materials shaped like the hospital s mascot, George the Giraffe, will contribute to cleaner air in a region with some of the nation s poorest air quality. Valley Children s Healthcare President and CEO Todd Suntrapak emphasized the project s significance in securing a sustainable future for the community and ensuring the hospital remains a beacon of hope and care, regardless of external circumstances. The project aligns with Valley Children s commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive care to children from birth to young adulthood. The hospital was the first west of the Rockies to receive Magnet Nursing designation and was named one of the best children s hospitals in the country in seven pediatric specialties by U.S. News and World Report. Valley Children s Healthcare joined the U.S Department of Energy s Better Climate Challenge in 2023, an initiative aimed at accelerating decarbonization across various sectors. The project is a testament to the Better Climate Challenge s mission of meeting the challenge of climate change head-on and leading the way for others. For more information, visit www.valleychildrens.org/sustainability.

Source: lelezard.com
Published on 2024-09-23