As one of Europe’s leading cancer centres treating over 44,000 patients a year, The Christie requires a resilient energy supply to ensure patient services can be delivered at all times.
Vital Energi supported the trust through their PSDS application, from which they obtained £7.9m of grant funding to support the installation of a self-funding fully integrated energy solution comprising a unique blend of renewable technologies.
To deliver significant carbon and financial savings whilst improving the energy supply resilience of The Christie, Vital Energi will update the hospital’s energy infrastructure and integrate complimentary technologies including water and air source heat pumps (totalling 582kW), a 309kWp solar PV array, and a 2MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
Flexibility during times of high-demand
As well as enabling the site to maximise the use of onsite generation and help the hospital avoid import electricity at the most expensive times, the BESS will provide flexibility during times of high demand and help create a smart grid from which the local community will benefit.
The Christie will also benefit from reduced running costs and enhanced patient care thanks to a range of energy conservation measures. These include the upgrade of 3,000 lights to efficient LED fittings, optimisation and upgrades to the existing building energy management systems, the replacement of air handling unit fans units with low-energy fan systems (EC Fans), and pipework insulation upgrades across the hospital estate.
The Christie is Vital Energi’s charity of choice, so this is a project close to their heart. Over the last 15 years, Vital employees have raised in excess of £40,000 for the charity through a range of initiatives from bake sales and half marathons, to three peaks challenges, Christmas donations, and raffles.
Ability to grow and adapt in the future
Ashley Malin, managing director of Vital Energi (Solutions), said: “As well as reducing the trust’s carbon footprint by almost 1,000 tonnes a year, the innovative mix of renewable technologies and energy infrastructure has been designed with the ability to grow and adapt in the future.
“In addition, patients and staff will benefit from improved comfort levels as we ensure optimum temperatures are maintained, and the lighting upgrades will enhance the visual appearance of the wards and common areas.
“We are delighted to be delivering a future-proof scheme which will help the trust achieve their target of net zero by 2040.”
Vital Energi’s extensive track record of delivering complex energy solutions within hospital environments throughout the UK has allowed them to develop a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of the NHS.
“They recognise the need for the trust to maintain patient services at all times and have worked with staff to develop strategies to deliver the works without impacting on the normal operations of the hospital.”