Harrogate opens New Energy Centre
Over the last 18 months Harrogate’s Estates team and Imtech’s Engineering Services team have been working within the Carbon Energy Fund (CEF) framework to identify, design and install numerous improvements to the mechanical and electrical systems across the hospital, with the guaranteed savings providing not only financial and carbon benefits to the Trust but also a significant reduction in the Trust backlog. These initiatives include:
- Installing a new electrical infrastructure consisting of High Voltage substation and generator network. This has improved the resilience of the electrical systems on site and created more capacity, it will also provide scope for future development, without adversely affecting the existing supply.
- Replacing expired boilers with new high efficiency dual fuel steam boilers combined with a CHP and waste heat composite boiler, utilising steam heating across the site and providing a medium temperature heat system. With the introduction of a new absorption chiller, the heat can be used during the summer months when less is required, thereby improving the system’s energy efficiency. The CHP system also provides the ability to export electricity back into the Electrical Distribution Network at peak times to maximise savings.
- Replacement of old light fittings for energy efficient LED lighting throughout the site. This provides annual electricity cost savings and in addition, patients have benefitted from a more natural, stable light. Also, through taking time to discuss requirements in various areas, the team were able to replace nearly 20% fewer lights, particularly in wards that were deemed to be too bright. This project will result in a saving of circa £180,000 per annum and is maintenance free for the next five years due to the lifecycle of the approximately 9,000 LED light fittings.
- Imtech’s innovative approach was realised in a solution to utilise low grade waste heat, created by the main system. Usually lost into the atmosphere, this heat is rerouted to the top deck of the hospital car park and reused within the underfloor heating system to de-ice the surface. The impact this solution has made is an immediate saving to the Trust of approx. £25,000, which would normally be spent on gritting this area during the winter months.
Ensuring the new infrastructure successfully delivers on its’ guarantees for the next 25 years now becomes the responsibility of Imtech Inviron, the technical facilities management arm of Imtech. Its experienced engineers will ensure the continual optimisation of the systems through the implementation of a planned preventative and reactive maintenance regime across the Harrogate Hospital site.
The savings will be monitored constantly over the 25 year period to prove that the savings have been achieved, with continual independent monitoring and verification by the CEF all for the Trust’s benefit.
One of most successful aspects of the project has been communication, ensuring the main emphasis was on patient care and minimising disruption to staff, patients and visitors to the site. This was achieved by the team collaborating closely with all departments, understanding the criticality of areas and implementing various means of working to reduce disturbance. These included; weekend working, planning around patient intake and phased work, along with ensuring all possible disruptions were communicated well in advance and keeping everyone fully informed at all stages.
Phil Sturdy, Deputy Director of Estates, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust commented: ‘This scheme will support the Trust in continuing to deliver high quality patient care supported by robust engineering infrastructure, capacity to support future clinical developments, reduced backlog maintenance obligations and reduction in energy costs and emissions in line with its Carbon Management Plan.’
Mike Harris, Managing Director, Imtech Engineering Services said: ‘We are delighted to have been involved in this project making such a difference to funds for frontline care and to have created a better experience of the hospital environment through the lighting project. Following our successful installation of the new infrastructure services, we look forward to delivering the maintenance regime for the next 25 years, continually innovating to make savings and improvements year-on-year.’
Peter Fairclough Director of CEF said “We are also delighted with the success of this scheme which we see as a template for how significant backlog issues can be addressed by using the CEF financial model and contract, and we look forward to proving the savings working throughout the term of the contract”
The enhanced systems will deliver guaranteed savings of over £15m in the next 25 years (approx. £635,000 per annum) directly benefitting frontline care for the hospital.
