Picture a hospital where every light, life-saving device, and breath of fresh air is powered not by fossil fuels, but by clean, efficient electricity. This isn’t science fiction—it’s already happening in hospitals around the world. And it’s reshaping how we think about healthcare, energy, and the future of both.
Why energy matters in healthcare
Hospitals are some of the most energy-hungry buildings out there—and for good reason. They run 24/7, rely on advanced equipment, and need tightly controlled environments to keep patients safe and comfortable.
But here’s the thing: as healthcare demand grows, so does energy use. And that’s putting real pressure on operational budgets and sustainability goals. Let’s break down why:
- Hospitals never sleep – HVAC, lighting, sterilisation… it all adds up. HVAC and hot water systems alone can account for around 70% of a hospital’s energy use.
- Technology is a double-edged sword – While advancements in medical equipment, robotics, and digital transformation enhance patient care, they also increase energy consumption.
- Energy costs are climbing – In some places, hospitals are seeing their electricity bills jump by 25% or more.
- Fossil fuels still dominate – Around 89% of healthcare’s energy is sourced from fossil fuels.*
- The planet is paying the price – The healthcare sector emits about 2 gigatons of CO₂ every year, which is equivalent to running 500 coal plants.
A turning point for healthcare: The all-electric hospital
Healthcare is about saving lives, but ironically, the way we power hospitals is contributing to climate change and poor air quality. So, what’s the alternative?
Enter: the all-electric hospital—a bold, progressive model that’s already gaining traction around the world.
Schneider Electric’s vision for the all-electric hospital isn’t just about switching to electricity. It’s about reshaping how hospitals function—creating spaces that are smarter, more sustainable, and better for patients, providers, and the planet.
At the heart of this transformation are four big ideas:
- Electrification – Replacing fossil fuels with clean, efficient electric systems.
- Digitalization – Using real-time data and digital technology to drive better decisions.
- Integration – Connecting systems so they work together, not in silos.
- Automation – Letting intelligent systems handle routine tasks, so people can focus on delivering high-quality care.
Let’s unpack what that looks like in the real world.
Electrification: Powering care with clean energy
This is where it all starts. Electrification means replacing fossil-fuel-based systems, like gas boilers or diesel generators, with electric alternatives that are more efficient and sustainable:
- Electric systems and heat pumps
- Electric kitchens and sterilisation equipment
- EV charging stations for ambulances and staff
- On-site solar panels and battery storage
However, electrification isn’t just about replacing equipment. It’s about building infrastructure that’s future-ready, resilient, flexible, and capable of supporting new technologies as they emerge.
Our white paper, “The Rise of the All-Electric Hospital,” explores these steps in depth through a case study of an 800-bed acute care hospital transitioning to all-electric infrastructure.
Digitalization: Smarter systems, better decisions
Digital tools bring intelligence to the all-electric hospital by turning real-time data into action.
- IoT sensors track energy use, equipment health, and air quality to support better maintenance and comfort.
- Digital twins let teams test changes before making them, helping avoid risks and improve planning.
- Cloud platforms give a clear, centralized view of energy, equipment, and maintenance needs.
It’s like giving your hospital a digital nervous system—one that senses, thinks, and responds.
Integration: Breaking down the silos
Hospitals are complex environments, but their systems often operate in isolation. Integration changes that by connecting energy, clinical operations, and infrastructure into one responsive ecosystem.
The result? A hospital that runs more smoothly and communicates more effectively.
- Smart sensors detect overcrowding or rising noise levels and automatically alert staff.
- Clinical teams can monitor critical systems, like backup power and isolation controls, in real time.
But integration isn’t just about what happens behind the scenes—it’s also reshaping the patient experience. At Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, a pilot with Schneider Electric is testing smart room technologies that let patients control lighting, temperature, and blinds from their bedside–boosting their independence while easing staff workloads.
This pilot is helping shape the new National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)—the UK’s first NHS net-zero hospital. With all-electric systems, solar panels, and intelligent automation, it shows how integration can make hospitals more sustainable, efficient, and empowering for everyone inside.
Automation: More time for patients, less on processes
Automation takes things further by using real-time data and set rules to make decisions, without anyone needing to step in. Picture this:
Power outages are no longer a crisis. When the grid goes down, electricity is instantly rerouted to critical care units, ensuring life-saving equipment stays powered and patients remain safe without a second’s delay.
Patient discharges set off a seamless chain reaction. As soon as a room is vacated, smart systems adjust lighting and HVAC, and automatically notify housekeeping, accelerating turnover and improving patient flow.
Equipment faults don’t go unnoticed. When a chiller pump fails, the system detects the issue, logs the fault, and dispatches a repair ticket to the maintenance team—all without human intervention. Downtime is minimized, maintenance is streamlined, and care delivery stays on track.
And with artificial intelligence (AI) in the mix, these systems keep learning, getting smarter, and more efficient with every decision they make.
The all-electric hospital is more than shifting away from fossil fuels—it’s about building smarter, more sustainable operations. With cleaner energy, advanced digital technologies, connected systems, and automation, a new foundation is created for delivering high-quality care.
The all-electric hospital: Turning vision into reality
Of course, making the shift to an all-electric hospital isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Research shows that electrifying a large hospital can increase electricity demand by two to four times, a significant jump, especially in areas where the grid is already under strain.
“Right now, the power grid cannot supply enough electricity for all our needs.”
— David Jones, Director of Estates, University Hospital Southampton. Hear more in our Healthcare Innovation Talk.
So, what’s the path forward?
It starts with rethinking how hospitals consume, generate, and manage energy.
A proven pathway, powered by partnership
The all-electric hospital is no longer a far-off idea—it’s a real, achievable path to greater resilience, efficiency, sustainability, and better patient care.
However, achieving this requires careful planning, long-term commitments, and strong partnerships. By collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, technology experts, designers, and grid operators, we can move more quickly and have a greater impact.
With decades of experience supporting 6,500+ healthcare organizations across more than 50 countries, Schneider Electric is proud to be a trusted partner on this journey, bringing:
- Deep healthcare expertise, built on a global portfolio of projects—from local clinics to major medical campuses.
- Cross-domain knowledge in energy, power, building automation, security, and IT—with the unique ability to connect facility systems with clinical operations, bridging the gap between IT and OT.
- Proven all-electric infrastructure solutions that replace fossil-fuel systems with clean, efficient, and resilient alternatives.
- A powerful software ecosystem that supports the full hospital lifecycle—from design and construction to daily operations and long-term optimization.
With the right technologies, insights, and partnerships, you can move forward with confidence. Together, we can turn ambition into action—building hospitals that shape the future. Download our white paper, “The Rise of the All-Electric Hospital,” for in-depth calculations, advanced technology insights, and key considerations for making healthcare electrification a success.
In my next post, I’ll explore what to consider when creating an all-electric hospital and highlight additional success stories that are driving this transformative shift in healthcare sustainability.
*US Department of Energy Commercial Reference prototype Hospital model using ASHRAE 90.1-2010 energy baseline. International Energy Agency figures for 2023.
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