Assessing savings potentials from changes in energy behaviours of hospital staff: benefits and challenges of energy audits

摘要

Behaviour change is increasingly considered as potentiallycost-effective measure to reduce organisational energy use,while campaign evaluation remains a major challenge. Previousresearch has shown that especially in complex non-domesticbuildings the variability in baseline energy use may often equalcampaign effect sizes. In hospitals, evaluative attempts are furthercomplicated by a prevalent lack of sub-metering. Surveyingand energy audits are common tools to obtain informationon buildings and organisational processes and identify energyconservation opportunities in the face of these obstacles.This paper investigates the viability of using energy audits asexplicit resource to explore the theoretical potential of energysavings obtainable through behaviour changes of healthcarestaff. Detailed audits of lighting and appliance use were carriedout in 11 hospital departments for which plug loads and lightingconsumption were also monitored at the distribution boardlevel. Reduction opportunities from specific changes in energybehaviours were then modelled on their basis to establish exanteestimations for savings potentials.The method proved useful in ranking different end-uses toguide behavioural energy conservation efforts in hospitals. Usabilitywas however limited by uncertainties remaining for datainputs from audits, both for power ratings and more importantlyfor usage hours and frequencies with which behaviourswere currently performed. Detailed energy audits were hencefound to be a workable tool for campaigns reforming protocolsand procedures to eliminate redundant energy use, while theyseemed less helpful for those promoting easy standard behaviours.For the latter, it seems advisable to consider additionalmethods of data collection as part of evaluative strategies dependingon project aims, available budget, access to technicalstaff and the importance of respective end-uses.