Energy Consumption Pattern and Performance Indices of Federal Medical Center, Jalingo, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy audit in buildings is an effective energy management tool that seeks to identify all the energy end-users within the buildings under investigation, estimate how much energy is used by each end-user, and determine the amount of energy used in relation to the budgeted or designed values which leads to significant energy and cost saving in addition to direct benefits such as extending equipment life, reducing maintenance costs, increasing comfort, safety and productivity, all leading to enhanced profit and improved efficiency. This study carried out a walk through energy audit for electricity energy consumption from two sources, electricity from the national grid and diesel generators at the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria, and covers a period of 10 years (2008-2017). The hospital has a total floor area of 163,823 square meters with a total bed capacity of 425 beds. It is located between latitude 8.8932° N and longitude 11.3590° E. Jalingo climate is typically hot and cool with distinct wet and dry seasons. The mean annual temperature is about 27.9 ℃, mean monthly ranges of maximum temperature range between 25.9 ℃ in December/January and over 36.7 ℃ in the hottest months (April/May). A study of energy consumption, with special consideration on the operation of the air conditioning systems, lighting, electrical equipment and medical equipment was carried out. The consumption pattern showed distinct seasonal variation indicating peak electricity demand during the hot humid summer months from April to August resulting in significant air conditioning requirements. 52.21% of electricity consumed was contributed by the burning of automotive gas oil (AGO) in the diesel power generator showing a greater contribution over that of electricity from the national grid of 47.79% and this is the general trend in most buildings/facilities in Nigeria. 40.44% of electricity was consumed by air conditioners due to high or significant air conditioner requirements, office equipment with 23.49% consumption rate, while medical machine and equipment, and lighting with 28.83% and 7.24%, respectively. The building yearly energy performance index determined for the whole hospital, operating theatres, outpatient department, and inpatient department was 229.726 kWh/m²/year, 412.349 kWh/m²/year, 160.790 kWh/m²/year, and 181.313 kWh/m²/year respectively. If all the proposed Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) were implemented, it would give a total of 20.58% energy saving of the annual energy consumption.