Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1447266
22 ENERGY EFFICIENCY Kirk is one of the younger members of a group that began in 1959. Energy efficiency improvements implemented by Alabama Power are saving the University of South Alabama's University Hospital about $370,000 annually. Alabama Power has been providing energy services to USA Health University Hospital since 2016 through an Energy Services Agreement. Since the founding of the USA College of Medicine in 1973, USA Health has been the only academic medical center along the upper Gulf Coast, said Chief Information Officer Steven Travers. University Hospital provides healthcare to the region's diverse population and the renowned USA Health Children's & Women's hospital is one of only five such freestanding hospitals in the country. "Energy Services has implemented various energy conservation measures for the hospital," said Alabama Power Sales-Energy Services Principal Engineer Ricky Olive. "These projects have ranged from interior and exterior lighting upgrades, building heating and cooling controls modernization, the relocation and refurbishment of existing cooling towers, as well as the installation of heat recovery equipment for chilled and hot water systems." Continuous research and technological advancements keep USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute at the forefront of cancer treatment and outcomes, Travers said. The USA health system employs 3,900 clinical and nonclinical staff members, including 180 academic physicians who treat patients and teach the next generation of medical doctors. Olive said the energy efficiency updates have created important energy savings for the hospital. The most recent work, which began in April 2021, involved installing a new water- cooled chiller, chilled water pumps, cooling tower and condenser water pumps. McAbee Construction of Tuscaloosa "has been a great partner" on the projects, Olive said. Key employees working on the hospital system improvements included Elizabeth Kuhn, director of Energy Services & Research; Joey Beck, engineer, Sales-Energy Services; Christina Nix, Mobile Division Office market specialist, Sales-Energy Services; and Rachel Willcox, market specialist, Mobile Division Office Sales. Olive said Beck and Nix were "instrumental in developing the project" that he implemented. "This system will provide added chilled water capacity, which will ensure that the hospital can continue to provide reliable building climate control for patients and critical operations within the hospital," Olive said. "The implementation of all of the current and past energy conservation measures will save the hospital approximately $370,000 annually." Olive said APC Energy Services continues to look for creative ways to assist customers in reducing their energy costs, while also generating revenue for the company. By Chuck Chandler Heat and cooling upgrades save money for USA Hospital Newly installed cooling tower, condenser water pumps provide cooling to USA University Hospital.