Operational decarbonization of a tertiary hospital in Egypt using a sequenced pathway: efficiency-first interventions followed by solar thermal diesel displacement

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🔬研究者:Demonstrates a rigorous quasi-experimental method for evaluating phased decarbonization interventions in a real-world hospital setting.

🏢実務担当者:Provides a clear, implementable pathway for hospital facility managers to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions through efficiency and solar thermal.

🏛政策担当者:Offers evidence that efficiency-first policies can enable hospitals to expand services while lowering emissions, supporting climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure.

Abstract Background Hospitals in hot-arid, lower-middle-income settings face rising cooling demand while needing to cut emissions. We evaluated a phased decarbonization pathway at Aswan Heart Centre (AHC), Egypt, combining demand-side efficiency with renewable thermal energy. Methods We used a longitudinal quasi-experimental design across 46 months (Jan 2022–Sep 2025), split into three phases: baseline (2022), green interventions (Jan 2023–Aug 2024), and solar thermal integration (Sep 2024–Sep 2025). Monthly electricity (kWh) and diesel (L) data were compiled from hospital operations. Emissions were calculated using the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard for Scope 1 (diesel) and Scope 2 (grid electricity). Cooling Degree Days (base 24°C) were used to account for thermal stress. Results Despite institutional expansion, electricity use increased only + 2.96% (2022–2024), suggesting stabilized electricity intensity under rising cooling demand. Scope 1 emissions fell from 1367.65 tCO₂e (2022) to 885.54 tCO₂e (2024) (− 35.25%), contributing to an overall ~ 29.9% reduction in total operational emissions (Scopes 1 + 2). After solar thermal commissioning, diesel use declined by ~ 20.8% (40,365 L to 31,949 L across matched 12-month periods), with ~ 219,000 L of thermal output in the first year. Post-intervention changes were statistically significant for electricity consumption (p = 0.037) and Scope 2 emissions (p = 0.043). Cooling Degree Days strongly correlated with electricity use (r = 0.72, p < 0.01). Conclusion A sequenced strategy that prioritizes efficiency measures first, followed by replacing fossil-based thermal demand, can help hospitals decouple service growth from emissions in hot-arid climates while maintaining operational reliability.

• openaire https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8925571/v1first seen 2026-05-14 21:09:38