Sustainability is quickly becoming a critical priority in healthcare. Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities are some of the most energy-intensive environments, operating 24/7 to deliver vital care services. Whether it’s powering essential equipment, regulating temperatures for sensitive medications or ensuring appropriate lighting and air circulation, the demands are never ending, which means delivering a greener NHS is a complex endeavour.
Healthcare buildings alone account for 15 percent of the NHS’ total carbon footprint, which means reducing emissions in this area is essential. Especially if the NHS is to reach its goal of becoming the world’s first net zero health system. To achieve this, it will have to find new ways to reduce emissions and embed energy conservation into its buildings. Smart technology will have an important role to play in making this possible.
Networking provides a foundation for sustainable healthcare
Advanced networking technology is becoming an essential tool as healthcare organisations work towards their sustainability goals. Networks that deploy greater intelligence, including features like Power over Ethernet (PoE), can significantly reduce energy consumption. PoE allows one Ethernet cable to carry data and power simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate power outlets. This not only simplifies network installations and reduces costs but also supports sustainability efforts by lowering material usage and overall energy demand.
This new generation of intelligent networks provides a foundation for energy efficiency, remote infrastructure management, and smart building controls. As the NHS identifies routes to net zero emissions digitally, the underlying network is emerging as a strategic enabler of both operational performance and environmental responsibility.
Visibility and control with smart sensors
With many NHS Trusts managing spawling estates, often with multiple buildings spread across numerous sites, having a single view of energy usage is essential. Smart systems provide a live, continuous view of energy consumption, allowing teams to identify inefficiencies, respond in real time, and make changes where they’re needed most. These systems integrate with PoE drivers to deliver power to lighting, occupancy sensors, and smart temperature controls, enabling real-time data collection on how buildings are being used.
This data builds a comprehensive view of occupancy patterns, temperature, lighting usage, and overall energy consumption, providing estates and facilities teams with the insights they need to make informed, data-driven decisions. It allows them to quickly identify problems like machines left running out of hours, lighting systems not switching off as scheduled, or equipment consuming more power than expected.
Imagine a scenario where an operating theatre or meeting room remains empty overnight. Instead of running lighting, heating, and cooling systems unnecessarily, smart automation ensures that these services are deactivated when they are not in use. Occupancy sensors detect when rooms are vacant and trigger automated shutdowns, reducing energy consumption without the need for manual intervention.
Over time, this data becomes even more powerful. Sensor data can support automated reporting on energy usage, which will be increasingly important as the NHS tracks progress against its net zero targets. As this data builds up, usage patterns can be tracked and analysed, helping teams to develop targeted energy saving strategies for specific rooms, departments, or even pieces of equipment. The data also strengthens the case for future investments, backed by clear, real-world evidence.
Building a smarter, more sustainable NHS infrastructure
Encouragingly, projects are already underway, and NHS organisations are putting these technologies into practice. PoE drivers and sensors are being deployed across buildings, powering lighting systems, controlling heating, and monitoring building occupancy to support better energy management.
Many NHS hospitals are turning to renewable power sources to reduce their environmental impact and deliver on their greener ambitions. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, for example, is investing £100 million through the Great British Energy Local Power Plan to help 78 Trusts install solar power systems. These installations are expected to save the NHS £8.6 million every year.
Some hospitals are also integrating advanced battery storage solutions, such as DC battery banks, to store excess solar energy. This stored energy can then be used to power critical services during peak periods, reducing dependence on the traditional power grid and lowering carbon emissions.
In another forward-looking step, Trusts are exploring ways to transition from AC to DC power within their networking infrastructure. Most hospital equipment operates on DC power internally, but the incoming power is often AC, leading to energy loss through conversion. By transitioning to direct DC power sources, hospitals can eliminate conversion inefficiencies, leading to lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions.
A Greener NHS
The NHS’s commitment to sustainability is not only about reducing energy costs, it’s also about creating a healthcare system that is environmentally responsible and future-proof. From operating rooms and intensive care units to patient wards and laboratories, every part of a hospital relies on energy to function. Managing this consumption effectively is key to cost reduction and environmental responsibility.
Technology is enabling this greener transformation, giving NHS Trusts the tools to monitor and manage energy use more intelligently, adopt renewable solutions, and build greener, smarter infrastructure. Ultimately, this means hospitals can focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional patient care while safeguarding the health of the planet.
By James Leitch, Practice Director – Enterprise Networking and Security at Cinos
