The Association for Decentralised Energy
Although the site has been under continuous development in response to changes in strategic planning and medical practices, only limited improvements had previously been made to the boiler house and utilities systems. The site was under pressure to reduce its energy consumption and, by association, its carbon footprint. With their heating boilers at the end of their operational life and not able to meet the future energy demands of the hospital, the Trust looked for ways of replacing them. The initial objectives were to replace the inefficient steam raising plant, reduce carbon emissions, create significant cost savings and redress structural problems with the existing subterranean boiler house.
To meet the site needs for heating, electricity and cooling Veolia* designed a CHP based energy solution that included standby generation. Following the award of the contract Veolia commenced operation of the existing boiler house, provision of temporary plant and the complex construction project to build and commission the new CHP based energy centre. This aspect of the project included demolition of the obsolete flue, strengthening of the existing boiler house and adding additional storeys to house the new plant. On completion of the new plant Veolia started management of the operation of the trigeneration CHP system that delivers electricity, heat, hot water, cooling and standby generation.
The design, installation, operation and maintenance of the energy centre by Veolia’s expert team resulted in better availability and control of utilities which delivers an improved patient care environment.
The replacement of the hospital’s 44 year old boilers went a long way to help meet the Trust’s target to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent in the first year (in line with the hospital’s Carbon Management Plan). The new plant had an 8% impact within the first 6 months of operation.
The energy solution also delivers cost savings of £450,000 per year (a decrease in the site’s energy costs of around 29%) and CO2 emission reductions of 2,555 tonnes per year (25% of the site CO2 emissions).
