INNOVATIONS
Volume 3, 2002

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Power System Upgrade at Rural Ohio Hospital Eliminates Electrical Power Interruptions

*Presented at PQA (Power Quality Association) 2002 North America: Exploring the Silicon Forest in Portland, Oregon, June 2002 by Jeff Phelps, Electrical Engineer, ThermalTech;  Brad Deaton, Contributing Engineer and Manufacturer's Representative, Engineering Dynamics (Mason, Ohio);  and John Sherron, Director of Building Services, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital (Oxford, Ohio)

Does your facility need higher reliability electrical systems?  We’re experienced with back-up power systems, and piping and electrical distribution systems, including all types of voice, video and data networks.   The following illustrates our use of creative engineering and innovative solutions to improve a hospital's electrical system. 

Problem:
McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital (MHMH) is located in the rural college town of Oxford, Ohio, about 50 miles northwest of Cincinnati.  MHMH receives electrical power through the distribution network of the local utility.  The utility electrical feed to the hospital is not reliable.  It includes single-phase re-closures that feed other users in the Oxford area.

Oxford sits on a high plain in Ohio and is subject to many storm related electrical problems in its electrical supply.  Frequent power interruptions, many of them single phase due to the single phase re-closures, provide for a very challenging environment in which to maintain continuous power to the hospital.

MHMH is a full service hospital that operates in a 7x24 environment.  The hospital maintains a stand-by engine-generator system that provides power to all emergency loads, meeting hospital minimum code requirements.  However, the continuing interruption of power necessitated the need for a hospital wide solution.

Solution:
MHMH is installing a building-wide solution that will not only sustain the emergency loads throughout the hospital, but uninterrupted power to the hospital at all times.  This means that every area of the hospital, including critical areas, all receptacles, all heating and cooling equipment, etc will be uninterrupted at all times.  A combination of a stand-by engine-generator system along with a rotary (flywheel) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system large enough to support the entire hospital was incorporated to achieve this goal.  The system can be used in a seamless manner to reduce the building peak electrical demand.

Summary:
Creative engineering led to this innovative concept for MHMH. The system has no batteries to maintain and supports both mechanical loads and sensitive computer equipment from the same stable electrical source.  The system was more economical than adding a second utility feeder and provided many added benefits.

More Info????.....

Power System Upgrade at Rural Ohio Hospital Eliminates Electrical Power Interruptions will also be presented at the 2002 Cincinnati Plant Operations and Maintenance Expo

When:  November 6th and 7th, 2002 (presentation will be held on November 6th from 12:45-1:45)
Where: Cincinnati Convention Center

Please visit our booth when you're at the show!   Hope to see you there!  

For more information about the Cincinnati Plant Operations and Maintenance Expo, email jguthrie@thermaltech.com.

STOP:
Tired of systems not operating properly after construction?  The missing step could be COMMISSIONING!

Commissioning is the process of ensuring that systems are designed, installed, functionally-tested, and capable of being operated and maintained to meet the building occupants' needs.  It has been widely adopted by many value-oriented organizations.  It is a systematic practice, beginning in the pre-design phase and lasting at least one year after construction.  It is the process of ensuring, through documented verification, that all building systems perform interactively according to the design intent and building's operational needs.  It may also be applied to existing buildings on a periodic or on-going basis (re-commissioning).

The following are some typical benefits:
1. Proper operation of systems
2. Reduce energy & operating costs (10-20%, or more)
3. Maintenance savings of 15-30%
4. Complete and useful documentation
5. Reduce post-occupancy corrective work
6. Reduce change orders and claims
7. Reduce project delays
8. Shorten building turnover period
9. Improve productivity and indoor environment
10. Increase maintainability and reliability
11. Increase value by better quality construction

ThermalTech can work with you to develop a commissioning plan that fits your needs and budget, for new or existing buildings. 

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