Healthcare provider Mediclinic has solar PV panels installed at 28 of its sites across the country and is gearing up to roll out a national project aimed at installing microgrids that integrate battery systems with on-site renewable energy. 

The company aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. In 2021, Mediclinic started working towards this goal by measuring, analysing and then reducing its reliance on fossil fuel energy supplies.

“Traditionally, we have relied on onsite solar provision for our baseload. At the time, the export of excess energy was not available and battery energy storage systems did not have any financial viability. But now we are ready to introduce storage options.

“We do however have different challenges at our sites, including space availability, different systems on the grid as well as the financial viability of such solutions to specific hospitals,” Mediclinic Southern Africa CEO Greg van Wyk explained on January 13.

“It has to not only make environmental sense, but also financial sense, in order for us to install a sustainable solution. We need to know that it is going to work and is going to actively contribute towards our renewable vision,” he added.

The company is currently working on developing a fitting solution for its hospitals within the context of South Africa’s unstable grid supply. Although several of the solutions explored make sense in Europe, Van Wyk said they did not automatically fit in the South African context.

A pilot at Mediclinic Milnerton and Mediclinic Vergelegen, in the Western Cape, sought to resolve some of the issues identified.

“While residential storage of energy has come a long way, it is important in the hospital environment to identify the right solution that will be efficient in this complex scenario and offer both reliable and efficient battery systems as well as the essential control,” Van Wyk explained.

As such, the company will be installing microgrid control systems at its hospitals.

These computerised systems connect to all energy sources, and are programmed to make calculated decisions on the best approach for different conditions such as supply during peak loads, overcast conditions, loadshedding or power cuts.

“The approach must be strategic in how we implement, with such a considerable investment by the business – it must be efficient, reliable and able to be constantly monitored. Our business is about delivering expert clinical care, and we need to know that whatever solution we choose, can be relied upon by all stakeholders,” Van Wyk said.

However, he emphasised that Mediclinic’s approach was not just straightforward PV energy investment to convert to renewables.

He explained that, while the business had introduced wheeling agreements at two sites and a combination of owned and third party supply of PV energy, the company would not necessarily have a single solution across all of its hospitals.

“We also understand the importance of sharing risk, possibly looking at two or three varied solutions across our network,” Van Wyk explained. 

All 50 hospitals had reduced their demand through the acquisition of more energy efficient equipment, creating a greater awareness across the business of ongoing energy consumption, while also identifying opportunities for further reduction, he said.

“Energy and water consumption are key indicators for every hospital management team. They monitor, adjust and have to report back on any elements outside their targets. It is a hands-on approach to making a significant difference in the long term,” Van Wyk said.

He said Mediclinic would continue to approach its carbon-neutral target with a practical, solution-driven roll-out plan.