The first all-electric hospital in the US will soon open in Irvine

Hospitals are notorious for their greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 5% of emissions globally. The UCI Medical Center in Orange relies on natural gas, a greenhouse gas that’s more potent than carbon dioxide, for about 25% of its power.

And that’s why UCI Health is touting its latest facility as the “hospital of the future.”

In December, the country’s first all-electric hospital will open in Irvine along the San Joaquin Marsh. Joe Brothman, director of UCI Health general services, said the hospital will adopt a “healthcare without harm” model.

“The operation of this campus will have no emissions,” he said. “The energy that we're utilizing is all green electricity that we're importing.”

The first all-electric hospital in the U.S. will open in Irvine in December.

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Yusra Farzan

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LAist

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That means all the electricity the hospital uses will be generated through sustainable means, including solar and wind. The hospital procures the energy from Southern California Edison, which gives them the option of choosing their energy source. Solar panels atop the hospital’s parking structures also will generate some of the power.

But what happens if there is a power outage in the middle of a surgery?

The hospital still will have to turn to diesel power generators in the event of an outage.

“The surgeon who's operating might see a short duration of a blip, but their full power needs will come on,” Brothman said. “The patient on the table will not notice any blip.”

Joe Brothman, director of UCI Health general services, said the all-electric hospital will adopt a “healthcare without harm” model.

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Yusra Farzan

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LAist

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The reason for relying on diesel for the backup generator, Brothman said, is because in 2020, when the plans for the hospital were stamped for approval, diesel generation was the only emergency backup power source available at the time.

Against the federal current

Despite the federal government taking steps to wind down policies aimed at addressing climate change, UCI Health will continue charging ahead toward decarbonization.

“ I do believe that this is the hospital of the future,” Brothman said.

Screens monitor power activity at the all-electric hospital in Irvine.

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Yusra Farzan

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LAist

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The decision UCI Health leaders made, he added, was “forward thinking,” hedging their bets that natural gas would increase in price in the future. And by choosing how their power is generated — whether it’s wind, solar or another renewable source — the hospital will not be tied to a specific power source.

The location of the hospital on the Irvine/Newport Beach border was “perfect” to go all-electric because extreme temperatures and climates demand more energy.

“ It is absolutely beautiful. We don't ever get snow. The weather here never really gets into the triple digits too often,” Brothman said. “In that sense, this was the perfect location to build this all-electric facility because it's the perfect tempered climate for this location.”

Climate in the kitchen

Joseph Hirsch, executive chef at UCI Health, said the approach of health without harm and sustainability also will extend to the kitchen. Think jack fruit pho and carnitas-style tacos made with banana peels.

Joseph Hirsch, executive chef at UCI Health, said the approach of health without harm and sustainability also will extend to the kitchen.

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Yusra Farzan

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LAist

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 ”If you're getting beef from a local farm, if it's within 50 miles, right there in itself, you're looking at less gas, less emissions to bring the food to deliver,” he said. “Versus if you were sourcing it from [200, 300], 400 miles away. Now you're looking at multiple warehouses, a longer supply chain, more emissions, so this is just a cleaner way and a more efficient way to really meet those sustainability goals.”