Both Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital are a step close to a sustainable future thanks to the installation of renewable generation and energy conservation products, whilst also benefitting from better energy supply resilience.
Vital Energi supported the Trust through their PSDS application, which saw them awarded with a £13.7m of grant funding to support a range of low carbon energy generation systems at both hospitals, including 4MW of battery energy storage systems, 400kW of air source heat pumps and 380kW of solar PV systems.
Vital Energi is providing a range of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) across the two hospital estates, including full replacement of the BEMS systems, installation of voltage optimisation systems, replacement of high voltage transformers, replacement of forced-draught fan units with low-energy fan systems (EC Fans), and thermal insulation solutions.
Contributing to a healthier future
The introduction of battery energy storage systems includes the installation of a local smart grid system at the hospitals, which will enable the Trust to run both the new and existing energy systems to maximise carbon reduction whilst minimising impact on revenue costs and enable the uptake of off-site low carbon generation systems.
Steve Black, Vital’s account director, who developed and led the project, said: “Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, and we’re delighted to be working with the Trust teams in developing and delivering low and zero carbon energy solutions.
“The installation of the innovative multi-technology low-carbon solutions implemented under the first round of PSDS funding is a major step in reducing energy related carbon emissions and also provides a platform on which the Trust can build to achieve its net zero carbon goals in line with government targets.”
Deborah Lee, Chief Executive at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted to be working with Vital Energi to deliver some key environmental upgrades to our hospitals. Climate change presents a profound and growing threat to people’s health and not only will these exciting projects deliver on carbon savings, but it will also help to contribute to a healthier community.”