Non Conventional sources of energy are generally renewable sources of energy.

This type of
energy sources include anything, which provides power that can be replenished with increasing
demand for energy and with fast depleting conventional sources of energy such as coal,
petroleum, natural gas etc.
The non- conventional sources of energy such as energy from sun, wind, biomass, tidal energy,
geo thermal energy and even energy from waste material are gaining importance. This energy is
abundant, renewable, pollution free and eco-friendly.
It can also be more conveniently supplied to urban, rural and even remote areas. Thus, it is also
capable of solving the twin problems of energy supply in a decentralized manner and helping in
sustaining cleaner environment.
However, the major non-conventional energy sources that are being used for power generation
are:
(i) Solar Energy:
Sun is the source of ail energy on the earth and most parts of our country have bright sun
throughout the years except a brief monsoon period. According to an estimate, India receives
solar energy equivalent to-over 5000 trillion kHz per year which is far more that the total energy
consumption of the country.
The exploitation of this vast solar energy can be done through both the thermal and photovoltaic
routes for a variety of applications like cooking, water heating, drying of farm produce, water
pumping, home and street lighting, power generation for meeting requirements in villages,
schools, hospitals etc.
For this purpose, various solar water heaters and dryers, solar cooker and solar photovoltaic cell
have been developed. Solar photovoltaic technology enables direct conversion of sun light into
electricity without causing pollution.
(ii) Wind Energy:
Wind is another important source of non-conventional energy. According to the estimates of the
Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, the wind energy potential in India is 45,600 Mw.
This energy system requires cost inputs only at the initial stage but once the power generation
starts the cost free power is available for about 20 years.
(iii) Bio gas:
Biogas is based upon the use of cow dung to produce gas which is used as domestic fuel
especially in rural areas. The biogas techniques are generally based on the decomposition of
organic matters which contain methane 55% and carbon dioxide 45%.

This energy can be used for cooking and lightening in rural areas. India has also huge resource of
biogas, which can be used for replacing diesel oil. Biogas has higher thermal efficiency than
kerosene, firewood, charcoal etc.
(iv) Small Hydro Power:
Generation of electricity from small sized hydro power sources is a low cost, environment
friendly and renewable source of energy. Small and mini hydel projects have the potential to
provide energy in remote and hilly areas, where extension of grid system is uneconomical. India
has an estimated small hydro power potential of about 15,000 mw.
(v) Geothermal Energy:
There are vast potential of geothermal energy in the country. About 340 hot spring localities have
been identified in the country. Extensive surveys are being conducted to develop geothermal
energy for direct heat and power generation.
(vi) Tidal Energy:
(vii) Wave Energy:
(viii) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion:
(ix) Energy from Waste:
The quantity of waste generated in class-I cities of the country has been estimated to be about 30
million tonnes of municipal solid waste. In addition, large quantities waste is produced by
industries, sugar mills, pulp and paper mills etc.
Energy Management in Hospitals
Non conventional resources are non traditional, these are not in routine use at present, these
resources require some costly method to be converted into mechanical energy, these are nondepletable or may be available in vast quantities.
Example: Solar, Wind, Tidal geothermal and biogas are non conventional energy resources.
Rising costs and depleting resources have prompted hospitals to adopt energy management
systems.
Uninterrupted power supply is the foremost need in hospitals. "Energy is becoming a larger
proportion of operating cost. In a 600-bed hospital, approximately 55 per cent of energy is
consumed by Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), 10 per cent by lighting, 9 per cent
by medical equipment and the rest is used for elevators, laundry, kitchen, autoclave, etc.

Bed occupancy, continuous additions of hi-tech equipment, expansion of hospital, number of

procedures, investigations, surgical interventions and length of patient stay are some factors that
determine the energy consumption in a hospital
Energy management is carried out in three steps.

Calculating the energy expenditure.

Identifying the areas of concern.

Executing the changes.

Calculating Energy Expenditure

An energy audit is carried out to identify and evaluate energy management opportunities. The
efficiency and energy consumption of every appliance, medical instruments, and other utilities
are measured. The data collected through the energy audit forms the basis for identifying the
sectors to implement the changes. Energy audit also helps in calculating the investment needed
and time required for the payback.
Identifying Areas of Concern
Once an exhaustive energy audit is performed, the collected data is thoroughly analysed to
identify the areas of controlling energy usage, improving efficiency and finding alternate
resources. A plan is drawn up for the changes and steps necessary to cut cost.
Executing the Changes
Next comes the execution part, where the decided changes are implemented in a phased manner.
The changes could be anything from repairing the existing appliances, to replacing them with
better equipment, adding or removing some appliances to give optimum benefits.
Renewables make a powerful case as hospital energy source rapidly rising energy costs and
tightening regulations on carbon emissions are making renewable energy, or renewables,
increasingly compelling to hospitals. Renewables were once viewed as niche technologies, but
improved funding, incentives, and technology have positioned renewable energy to enter the
mainstream.
Hospitals consume about two and one-half times the energy used by the average commercial
building. Because they use so much energy, hospitals are in a position to realize better than
average energy savingsand energy cost savingsthrough the use of renewable energies.
Hospitals that use these clean energy sources also contribute to a more healthful environment

Benefits of Renewable Energy Use

Reduced energy costs.
Enhanced reputation.
Better community health.
Assistance in achieving green building certification.