Goals
As a member of the UC system, we are required to meet goals in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy:
- Pave the path to a fossil fuel free future
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 90% by 2045, using 2019 levels as the baseline
- Reduce our energy use per square foot by at least 2% annually
- Reduce growth-adjusted potable water consumption by 36% by 2025
Where we are today
UCSF Health has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 26% since 2015 and continues on a downward trend.
In terms of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) we are a little above the UC 2% reduction target but are on a consistent downright slope.
Recent Accomplishments
Retro-commissioning
We started retro-commissioning the medical office buildings at the Mount Zion and Mission Bay medical center. Through this process, we will be able to adjust our operations to ensure we are meeting the current needs while improving performance, energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Onsite Renewable Energy
In July of 2020, we completed the installation of a 244 kW solar array on the roof of the Gateway Medical Building at Mission Bay campus. This accounts for approximately 10% of the building’s electrical consumption.
Carbon Free Electricity
In January 2021 we switched the last of our electrical accounts to UC Clean Power Program. With this effort and the work of the UC Clean Power Program becoming 100% carbon-free in 2021, all electricity that UCSF Health purchases from the grid is now 100% carbon-free.
All-Electric, Carbon-Free New Construction
In 2024, we opened up Bayfront Medical Building (formerly knows as Block 34) at Mission Bay and it is an all-electric zero-carbon outpatient surgery center. The innovative mechanical design utilizes heat recovery chillers and solar thermal hot water systems.
Also in 2024, we opened operations at the Peninsula Outpatient Center (POPC). Although this is a leased building, we are running it as an all electric surgery center.
Energy Use Reductions
We have reduced our energy use per square foot every year for the last five years.
Reducing Water Use
In late 2020 we identified and eliminated the last uncontrolled once-through water cooling system in our hospitals. The project saved 300,000 gallons of water a year.
In 2022 we surveyed water fixtures (sink, toilets, showers) at Parnassus and the Mount Zion Hospitals. In 2023 we began upgrading these fixtures with low flow retrofits.
Sterile Processing Projects:
Moffitt/Long Replace Getinge branded washers & sterilizers with Belimed branded equipment
Mission Bay Replacement of Steris Reliance with Medivator
- No savings estimate, new equipment added is primarily labor-hour savings
Mt Zion Replacement of Getinge sterilizers with Belimed sterilizers (In progress)
- Currently, this project is going to tie sterilizers to city water. We are looking to influence the project in “phase 2” at the end of this year / beginning of next, to tie into the chilled water system, which would further reduce water consumption.
- Savings of 2,437,680 gallons per year (59.5% reduction at sterile processing department, from 4,095,840 to 1,658,169)
- (17.3% reduction in overall Mount Zion Hospital water use (from 2,437,680 to 14,110,631 )
Future Work
We are embarking on a major energy efficiency and carbon reduction program to significantly reduce UCSF Health’s energy and carbon footprint. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program will include building controls upgrade and optimization, LED retrofits, low flow water fixture retrofits, and heat pump chillers to replace gas-fired boilers.
With the design of our New Hospital at Parnassus Heights, set to open in 2030, we are paving the path for a fossil fuel free future through creation of a low-temperature heating hot water loop that can be heated by carbon-free heat pump chillers.
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