Energy for Rural Health Centers

Introduction

Health professionals in rural clinics must address unexpected challenges on a daily basis. Poor infrastructure can delay the delivery of critical medical supplies, and inclement weather can make it difficult for patients to access the clinic. An unreliable energy source adds to these challenges. If the cold chain is inoperable when supplies arrive, vaccines, blood, and other medicines may go to waste. If a clinic is without lights, patients arriving at night must wait until morning to receive care. Selecting an appropriate source of reliable and sustainable energy as well as introducing measures for efficient energy consumption can help mitigate some of the challenges inherent in operating a health facility in the developing world. This article will provide an overview on options for the improvement of the energy situation in rural health facilities.

Most of the information related to electricity supply for health centers is based on the excellent USAID publication "Powering Health".

Electricity Supply

Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center

1. Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands
   Identify current energy needs and applications, e.g. for lighting, refrigeration, communication, etc.
2. Account for Near-Term Change
   Determine whether energy demands will change in the near-term.
3. Establish Target Energy Consumption in kWh/day
   Use tools such as the USAID Health Clinic Power System Design Tool (4 - Electric Load Inputs) or the Energy Audit Spreadsheet (Worksheet 7 - Future Electric Applications) to calculate the future electric energy consumption in kWh/day.
4. Determine Technologies Needed to Meet Target
   Evaluate energy technologies.
5. Procure, Design System, and Install Technology
   Select the most appropriate energy technology.
6. Maintain and Financing Your Energy Technology
   Institute financing mechanism(s) accounting for operation and maintenance needs and costs.

Remember to contact an expert for assessment, system design, procurement, installation, and maintenance of energy technologies!

Defining Energy Needs

When considering the type of electrification needed to sustain daily operations, a facility must first understand its basic needs. The needs assessment will include an inventory of the types of equipment used in the facility and the power required to operate each device. Understanding the average “daily load”, or the amount of power required to operate equipment under normal working conditions, will influence the choice of power supply. Once the daily energy requirement is established, a range of electrification options can be considered. Understanding the need will also provide managers with a realistic budget for procuring, installing, and maintaining the new system.

Calculating Energy Needs of a Health Facility

The USAID Health Clinic Power System Design Tool (4 - Electric Load Inputs) and/or the Energy Audit Spreadsheet (Worksheet 7 - Future Electric Applications) as well as the examples of energy demands of typical rural health centers in developing countries can help identifying the overall energy demands of health facilities. The amount of expected energy consumption in kWh/day, in addition to expert consultation, will assisst in the selection of appropriate electrification technology.

Once a facility has comprehensively analyzed the energy requirements of its day-to-day operations, it must be determined whether those demands are likely to change. Facility managers must think strategically about the possibility that energy demands may increase due to the addition of patients, extended operating hours, or new services. Once this process has been completed and an adequate accounting of needs has been made, the manager can determine the various energy options to meet those demands. These options must be considered in light of all facility-specific variables.

Categorization of Health Clinics

The following section describes several types of health facilities. The energy demands of a health facility will be a critical component in the selection of the most appropriate electrification technology. Please note: these descriptions are provided as general comparative guidelines and are not precise descriptions of any one facility.

Health Posts

Health posts are the smallest, most basic health facility. These locations typically will not have a permanent doctor or nurse on staff. The health post may have a full- or part-time primary healthcare provider. Services available at health posts include the treatment of minor illnesses, the tending of minor injuries and, where possible, the provision of basic immunization services. Due to the limited medical equipment used, the overall energy demand of health posts is relatively low. The energy demands of a health post will be satisfied through Category I Health Clinic (see below) electrification options, while taking into account the reduced daily demand for energy.

Health Clinics

Health clinics are generally larger than health posts and employ one or more full-time nurses. Clinics may also employ a part-time physician, depending on the size and location. A health clinic offers a wider array of services than a health post and will possess equipment allowing for more sophisticated diagnoses. Rural health clinics generally fall into one of three categories (Categories I, II and III - see table below) based on the type and number of medical devices used in the facility and the frequency with which they are used on a daily basis. Local resources may make specific energy options more or less advantageous in each location. The categories are listed on page five. Other types of health facilities that require reliable and sustainable electrification include blood banks, stand-alone laboratories and pharmacies, and anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) clinics. Blood banks, stand-alone labs, and pharmacies will, depending on their size, utilize equipment similar to that found in Category I or II Health Clinics and will have similar energy needs. ARV clinics will have significant energy demands similar to those found in a Category III Health Clinic or higher. Energy requirements could be intensive for some ARV clinics due to the computer technology and additional equipment required to perform rapid blood analyses.

Health Clinic Categories

Category	Description
Category I low energy requirements, 5 - 10 kWh/day	Typically located in a remote setting with limited services and a small staff Approximately 0 - 60 beds Electric power is required for: lighting the facility during evening hours and to support limited surgical procedures (e.g. suturing) maintain the cold chain for vaccines, blood, and other medical supplies - one or two refrigerators may be used utilizing basic lab equipment - a centrifuge, hematology mixer, microscope, incubator, and hand-powered aspirator
Category II moderate energy requirements, 10 - 20 kWh/day	Approximately 60 - 120 beds Medical equipment similar to Category I Health Clinic; frequency of use and number of devices are key factors of differentiation between Category I and II health clinics Separate refrigerators may be used for food storage and cold chain Communication device, such as a radio, may be utilized May accommodate more sophisticated diagnostic medical equipment and perform more complex surgical procedures
Category III high energy requirements, 20 - 30 kWh/day	Approximately 120 beds or more May serve as a regional referral center and coordinate communication between several smaller facilities and hospitals in large cities May need to communicate with remote health centers and hospitals by way of telephone, fax, computer, and Internet May contain sophisticated diagnostic devices (x-ray machine, CD4 counters, blood typing equipment, etc.) requiring additional power

Power Generation Options

After determining the facility’s typical daily energy usage, it is time to evaluate the energy technologies available to electrify your facility. Rural health clinics have a number of options available to supply reliable electricity. The best option for a given application depends on a number of factors, and in some cases a combination of measures may be the best solution.

Some factors to consider include:

• Reliability of local grid
• Local renewable energy resources (wind, solar, biomass)
• Local cost and availability of conventional energy sources (diesel, propane, gasoline)
• Local availability of systems, parts, service companies, and technicians
• Governmental policies and incentives
• System reliability requirements
• Technical capacity and funds for system maintenance and replacement
• Special considerations or desired operational characteristics - i.e. noise, emissions, etc.

Technological options to consider:

• Photovoltaic (PV)
• Wind
• Reciprocating Engines (generators)
• Hybrid Systems
• Grid Extension

The table below illustrates the key characteristics of energy generation technologies. Capital cost, operating cost, reliability, emissions, resource availability, and other factors should be considered when selecting an energy technology.

Energy Technology Characteristics

Energy Technologies	Capital Cost	O&M Cost	Reliability	Durability	Special Considerations	Emissions	Optimal Use
Solar PV System with Batteries	Very high	Low	High (if maintained properly) or low (if not)	20-30 years (PV), 5 years (batteries)	Theft (batteries or panels); Vandalism (panels); Availability of trained technicians	None	Small Loads; Areas where fuel is costly or difficult to obtain
Wind Turbine with Batteries	High	Low-moderate	High (if maintained properly) or low (if not)	20 years (turbine), 10 years (blades), 5 years (batteries)	Theft (batteries); Lack of data on wind resources	None	Many moderate loads where resource is sufficient
Diesel Generator	Moderate-high	High	High	25,000 operating hours	Fuel spills; emissions	Very High	Larger loads
Gasoline Generator	Low	Very High	Moderate	1,000 - 2,000 operating hours	Fuel spills; emissions; flammability	High	Emergency Generator
Gas Generator	Moderate	High	Moderate	3,000 operating hours	Propane is of limited availability, but can use biogas	Low	Component in hybrid system or stand-alone
Hybrid System	Very high	Low-moderate	Very High	Varies; optimization greatly extends generator and battery life	Complexity for servicing	Low	Medium and large loads
Grid extension	Varies	None	Varies	High	Theft; extending grid allows connection of nearby homes to grid	Not local	Where grid is reliable and not too distant

The table Costs of Power Sources for different Health Clinic Categories below illustrates the estimated cost of various energy technologies for a range of clinic sizes. In general, renewable energy options (e.g., photovoltaic (PV) system) will have higher capital costs than diesel or other fuel-based electricity generating options. However, over the long-term, renewable systems will have lower operating costs and produce fewer or no emissions. In renewable energy systems, battery maintenance, occasional cleaning, and theft-prevention will be the major recurring costs. A hybrid system using an alternative energy source (e.g., PV system) and a traditional generator (e.g., diesel) will have a higher up-front capital cost than a renewable-only system; however, hybrid systems provide greater flexibility, including the ability for one system to support the other. For illustrative purposes, a PV/diesel hybrid is represented in the table Costs of Power Sources for different Health Clinic Categories. Actual prices in a given location may vary considerably from those used in the table.

Costs of Power Sources for Different Health Clinic Categories

Technology	System Size	Capital ($)	Operating ($/year)	O&M Assumptions
Category I - 5 kWh/day
PV System with Batteries	1,200 W panels 20 kWh batteries	$12,000 system $2,000 batteries	$500	1% of system cost per year (includes maintenance and component replacement, does not include security); Amortized cost of replacing the batteries every five years (20% of battery cost).
Wind Turbines with Batteries	1,750 W turbine 20 kWh batteries	$10,000 system $2,000 batteries	$600	2% of system cost per year; Amortized cost of replacing the batteries every five years.
Diesel Engine Generator	2.5 kW	$2,000	$1,400	$0.0075/kWh maintenance, $0.67/kWh fuel ($1/liter for fuel is used), operating at 4kWh per day at 50% capacity, and replacement of engine every 10 years.
Hybrid Systems	1,200 W panels 10 kWh batteries 500 W engine	$12,000 PV system $1,000 batteries $500 generator	$450	1% of PV system cost per year; battery replacement every five years; 200 hours of engine operation per year; replacement of engine every ten years.
Grid Extension	n/a	$10,000+ per mile	$200	$0.10/kWh power
Category II - 15 kWh/day
PV System with Batteries	3,600 W panels 60 kWh batteries	$36,000 system $6,000 batteries	$1,150	Same as above.
Wind Turbines with Batteries	5,250 W turbine 60 kWh batteries	$28,000 system $6,000 batteries	$1,750	Same as above.
Diesel Engine Generator	2.5 kW	$2,000	$3,900	Same as above, operating at 15 kWh at 50% capacity.
Hybrid Systems	3,500 W panels 30 kWh batteries 1.5 kW engine	$35,000 PV system $3,000 batteries $1,000 generator	$1,350	Same as above, with 200 hours of engine operation per year.
Grid Extension	n/a	$10,000+ per mile	$550	Same as above.
Category III - 25 kWh/day
PV System with Batteries	6,000 W panels 100 kWh batteries	$55,000 system $10,000 batteries	$2,550	Same as above.
Wind Turbines with Batteries	8,750 W turbine 100 kWh batteries	$44,000 system $10,000 batteries	$2,900	Same as above.
Diesel Engine Generator	2.5 kW	$2,000	$6,400	Same as above, operating at 25 kWh per day at 67% capacity.
Hybrid Systems	6,000 W panels 50 kWh batteries 2.5 kW engine	$55,000 PV system $5,000 batteries $2,000 generator	$2,200	Same as above, with 200 hours of engine operation per year.
Grid Extension	n/a	$10,000+ per mile	$900	Same as above.

System Sustainability

Importance of Maintenance

Regular and timely maintenance of all electrification equipment is essential to proper functioning of the equipment.

• Routine maintenance, as well as major overhauls and capital replacement, need to be planned and budgeted for in advance.
• Lack of maintenance ultimately will have a negative impact on reliability of power supply.
• Maintenance problems often are easily preventable, yet frequently overlooked.
• Emergency back-up generators should be checked periodically even if rarely used.
• Improper or insufficient maintenance can lead to substantial costs in the future.

Regular maintenance is well worth the cost, and programs installing energy systems at health clinics or other facilities should ensure there will be a commitment to servicing the system. Experts recommend training local personnel in the servicing of these systems or obtaining a long-term maintenance contract.

Financing of Operation and Maintenance

Clinic managers must develop a sustainable way to pay for the maintenance and operation of the system to ensure continuity of facility operations. Facilities should consider incorporating aspects of the innovative finance structures described below into their financial and operating practices.

User Fees

A “user fee” system involves building the cost of energy into the overall cost of medical services – passing the cost to the patient. Most rural medical clinics struggle to secure sufficient operating funds due to the inability to pass along true costs of medical service to users who lack the resources to pay actual costs. The inability of patients to pay, coupled with the challenge of managing the collection and disbursement of funds, makes this approach difficult to implement.

Sale of Excess Electricity

The sale of excess electricity offers a promising approach to finance operations. By installing a system with excess capacity, income from the sale of additional power can offset a portion, if not all, of the system’s operating costs.

• Bulk (Wholesale) By operating the power system as a small enterprise, excess electricity can be sold to nearby villages, factories, schools or facilities. The system must be sized to accommodate both the clinic and the potential customer base. Customers must be in close proximity to the system or transmission costs quickly make this approach prohibitively expensive. Maintenance requirements are alsomore complex.

• Point of Use Sale (Retail)

''Institutional Management

When potential purchasers of power are too remote to obtain the electricity over transmission lines, the clinic can sell it at or near their facility. A small powering station can be established with fees charged based on the amount of power used, if metering is available, or according to time. For customers with transportable devices such as power tools, a small work area with outlets can be set aside adjacent to the power station where users can plug in equipment. Villagers can use these areas for income-generating activities. It may be feasible to establish a “mini industrial zone” near the clinic’s power system, providing an area with permanent workshops (sewing, weaving or repair services) or stores. The clinic could realize income from rent on the workshop/store space, the sale of electricity, and the pumping of water.

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Establishing an entity that has a stake in the continued successful operation of the system is crucial to cultivating a sense of ownership for on-going system operation. Innovative financing systems must be properly managed by organizations and individuals who use and pay for the power.

Management structures include existing clinic management, nearby villages or facilities, or a new organization dedicated to providing oversight of the energy system such as a cooperative between villages. The cooperative can include an agreement with the clinic to manage any of the financing arrangements previously described. The level of responsibility of the cooperative can range from total operation and management of the system to simply keeping track of usage and payments.

Further Reading 

Powering Health: Electrification Options for Developing Country Health Facilities - USAID website covering all major issues on electricity supply for rural health centers. Several country case studies available. Offers tools for energy audits and load calculation. Highly recommandable!

USAID: Powering Health: Electrification Options for Rural Health Centers - Step-by-step guide on energy needs, power generation options, and sustainability issues for rural health centers. Case studies from Botswana and Uganda.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA) (1998): Renewable Energy for Rural Health Clinics -  Publication on energy issues of rural health clinics: energy applications, electrical system components, system selection and economics, institutional considerations. Also provides case studies and lessons learned.

GTZ (1996): Energy Supply for Health Care Facilities in Developing Countries - GTZ publication on energy sources, energy requirements and energy management for rural health centers.

Practical Action: Solar PV Refrigeration of Vaccines - Technical Background of solar refrigeration