America’s First All-Electric Hospital Opens in Irvine

Rendering of the new hospital obtained from UCI Health’s website

For years, Irvine has been recognized for its world-class medical facilities and cutting-edge healthcare technologies. Now, the City has made history as UCI Health opens the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital as part of its new $1.3 billion medical complex at the northern edge of the UCI campus, at the corner of Jamboree and Birch.

Hospitals typically consume huge amounts of energy. However, this new facility has been built to require as little energy as possible, with specially designed materials on the facade and the windows to reduce solar heat gain and window glare.

The hospital is being powered by 100% renewable energy sources — including electricity generated onsite through rooftop solar panels installed on top of the facility’s parking garage, and wind and solar procured from Southern California Edison (SCE). In the event of a power outage, diesel-powered backup generators will kick in.

In addition, the new facility uses recycled water and provides locally-sourced sustainable food items to patients, staff, and visitors. A ramping system offers universal accessibility to the adjacent San Joaquin Marsh so that patients, their families, and hospital staff can easily access nature.

The seven-story, 144-bed facility includes two new care centers, surgical and emergency care, wellness programs, and access to hundreds of clinical trials. UCI Health hopes this first-of-its-kind facility will provide a blueprint for other hospitals to follow.

To learn more about this remarkable new hospital, click here.