The country’s first all-electric hospital will open in Irvine later this year.
As detailed by the Daily Pilot, the first patients at the University of California Irvine’s new “hospital of the future” at Jamboree Road and Birch Street are expected on Dec. 10.
“The operation of this campus will have no emissions,” said Joe Brothman, director of UCI Health general services, when speaking with LAist. “The energy that we’re utilizing is all green electricity that we’re importing.”
In contrast, UCI Medical Center in Orange uses natural gas for about 25% of its power.
Hospital officials did clarify that, in cases of emergency, diesel generators could be used to avoid power outages during surgeries.
“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.”
The Pilot noted that hospital executives focused on “future-proofing” the building to ensure it can adapt as times change.
It’s an audacious goal, and while the road may not always be smooth, the Pilot noted this facility is providing a valuable service as a trailblazer.
“It’s the first of its kind, but perhaps, before long, it won’t be the only one,” the Pilot noted.
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