In the EDGE software, the "most attractive solution" for a project, such as a hospital, is determined by balancing resource savings (energy, water, or materials) with financial payback periods, as these metrics are key outputs in the EDGE App Results Bar. The EDGE User Guide explains how to evaluate measures: "The EDGE software prioritizes measures that offer the highest resource savings with the shortest payback periods, making them the most attractive solutions for project teams. For hospitals, where energy and water demands are high due to continuous operation, measures with significant savings and faster payback are typically preferred" (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results). Let’s evaluate the options: Option A (external shading) offers 7% savings (likely energy, as shading reduces cooling loads) with an 8-year payback. Option B (insulation of external walls) provides 3% savings (also energy) with a 9-year payback. Option C (solar hot water system) delivers 15% savings (energy, as it reduces the need for electric or gas water heating) with a 6-year payback. Option D (water-cooled chillers) achieves 20% energy savings but with a 10-year payback. The EDGE Methodology Report further clarifies: "For hospitals, measures like solar hot water systems are often attractive because they address high hot water demands (e.g., for sterilization, showers), offering substantial energy savings with relatively short payback periods due to consistent usage" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.3: Energy Measures). Comparing the options, Option C has the second-highest savings (15%) and the shortest payback (6 years), making it more attractive than Option D (20% savings but 10 years payback), Option A (7% savings, 8 years), and Option B (3% savings, 9 years). The EDGE User Guide also notes: "A payback period of 6 years is generally considered attractive in EDGE, especially for measures with savings above 10%, as it aligns with typical investment horizons for building owners" (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results). Additionally, for a hospital, hot water demand is significant, making solar hot water systems particularly effective: "Hospitals benefit greatly from solar hot water systems, achieving energy savings of 10-20% with payback periods often under 7 years due to high hot water usage" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Energy Savings Calculations). Thus, the solar hot water system (Option C) is the most attractive solution due to its balanced savings and shortest payback period.
[Reference:EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results; EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.3: Energy Measures, Section 4.2: Energy Savings Calculations., ]