en.Wedoany.com Reported - The FORTRESS (Flexibility and Optimization for Resilient Energy Systems) project, led by UK distribution network operator SSEN Distribution, has received a new round of funding aimed at helping hospitals maintain energy resilience for critical care while transitioning from on-site fossil fuel power generation to clean electricity. This new funding follows a successful bid last year that supported initial research.
Hospitals are major energy users, often generating their own power using oil and gas, making much of their demand invisible to distribution network operators. As healthcare facilities transition away from high-carbon fuels, their reliance on local grids will increase; FORTRESS will conduct a detailed analysis of energy consumption across different hospital functions.
The approach prioritizes resilience for essential services such as intensive care, while allowing other activities to be supported by flexible heating systems, energy storage, and new grid access products, enabling earlier capacity connection. The aim is to keep operations safe and reliable during the decarbonization of healthcare facilities, without placing excessive strain on local grids.
During the Alpha phase, SSEN's innovation and technology team will work closely with partners including NHS Tayside and NHS England to test and refine these solutions. Key tasks include conducting more granular energy analysis of hospital sites, exploring energy storage options, and running scenarios to understand how facilities respond during periods of high demand.
The project will also develop a new type of connection agreement, allowing hospitals to access grid capacity earlier, helping to avoid costly upgrades, reduce carbon emissions, and better utilize existing infrastructure.
Gemma Ennis, FORTRESS Project Delivery Manager at SSEN Distribution, said: "The primary purpose of a hospital is to provide safe and reliable care for patients. But in an era of volatile and high fossil fuel costs, the healthcare system is eager to transition to more sustainable energy. FORTRESS is gaining a deep understanding of when and how hospitals consume the most electricity, which helps us shape the evolving clean energy system around their specific needs. By reducing peak electricity demand and improving coordination between hospitals and the wider grid, we will be able to defer some network investments, thereby saving money for bill payers. These savings help lower the overall cost of network operation, ultimately benefiting energy bill payers. FORTRESS also ensures that critical functions are fully protected, while allowing non-critical activities to be more flexible. This balance helps alleviate grid pressure where possible, while maintaining patient safety."
Lynne Hamilton, Director of Public Health Projects at NHS Tayside, added: "NHS Tayside is delighted to expand its collaboration on the FORTRESS project. Alongside SSEN, Ricardo, SGN, and NHS England, we are exploring innovative flexible heating solutions for large hospital sites. This exciting initiative will help NHS Tayside advance its net-zero estate planning. By balancing stringent resilience requirements with a smooth transition to renewable energy, the project is committed to achieving the Scottish Government's climate emergency and sustainable development goals."
SSEN thanks its partners NHS Tayside, NHS England, SGN, and Ricardo for their support. FORTRESS has successfully entered the Alpha phase of the Strategic Innovation Fund cycle; Ofgem's fund is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
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