The hospital's old power supply was derived from two sources: a diesel generator and a solar power system. The diesel generator consumes 2-3 liters of fuel per hour and, due to high operating costs, can only be started when specifically required, such as during night operations. Financial constraints limit the hospital to 1-2 hours of generator operation per day. Additionally, fuel supply is precarious, especially during the rainy season.
The second power source consisted of a solar power system restored in 2008 with the help of donations. The work was expertly carried out by RENERG, a Mbinga-based solar service company in close cooperation with Energiebau Solarstromsysteme GmbH from Cologne. This solar system can still be used 24 hours a day, supplying electricity to some buildings and stations at night and ensuring the operation of the ultrasound device and other smaller equipment.
However, its capacity was insufficient to continuously power large consumers. Critical medical necessities, such as cooling devices (blood refrigerator, refrigerator for medicines and vaccines, sample cooling in the laboratory), rely heavily on a stable power supply. Any prolonged interruption to the power supply in these areas could have severe consequences.
Due to the uncoordinated installation of 230-volt power cables throughout the hospital over many years, the solar system was not adequately protected against tropical lightning. This resulted in the damage of important components on several occasions. There are no electricity meters to create an energy balance for the individual buildings.
Although most of the old solar modules continue to function in the reconstructed system, the number of solar modules needed had to be adjusted to meet the increased electricity demand.
- Measures for lightning protection and energy saving
- Effective lightning protection for the existing solar system
- Recording energy consumption in the various areas of the hospital.
- Energy savings by replacing all conventional light sources (neon tubes, conventional light bulbs)
with the latest generation of energy-saving lamps, including LED technology. - New solar system for the laboratory area
Equipping the laboratory area with its own state-of-the-art solar system ensured a reliable energy supply for refrigerators, including the blood refrigerator, and all laboratory equipment, independent of the two existing limited-capacity systems.
The planning and installation were carried out by Energiebau in Cologne, with RENERG's Mr. Deodatus Ndunguru responsible on-site.
Documentation of the execution was completed in January 2013 by members of Friends of St. Anne's. Friends of St. Anne's collaborated with other organizations to implement this project successfully.
Many thanks to all our donors!
EN 
DE