A hospital in Teesside will become one of the first in the country to use green-friendly technology to heat the site – as part of a range of works starting this month.
The University Hospital of Hartlepool will use a combination of renewable energy from the ground and from the sun to provide heating and electricity to the site.
Work has begun this month to drill deep boreholes into the ground for the new ground-source heat pump system, which collects energy from water stored in an aquifer.
Solar panels will also be installed to the building’s roof and to back of the site to provide electricity for large periods of the year.
When the works are completed by contractor Veolia within the next year, the hospital is anticipated to meet its NHS 80% carbon reduction target ahead of schedule.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has been granted more than £13million funding to help carry out the improvements.
Major investment for Hartlepool
Steve Taylor, group director of estates for University Hospitals Tees, said: “This is a major investment and a really exciting opportunity.
“These works will make the University Hospital of Hartlepool one of the first hospitals in the country to use an aquifer based ground source heat pump system.
“This involves a mix of the latest renewable technology and local geology to help heat the building for many months of the year.
“Solar panels are also going to be included to give green electricity to the building and reduce the need to import electricity from the grid.
“These improvements will mean we are making huge reductions to our carbon footprint, while providing the best care for our patients and protecting our environment for our local community.”
The new scheme will combine a 1,400kW ground source heat pump system, with a 70,000 litre thermal store.
The works will also include upgrading the hospital’s air handling units and installing new LED lighting.
Meeting NHS net zero target
John Abraham, chief operating officer – industrial, water and energy for UK, Ireland and Nordics said: “Veolia has been delivering energy management to University Hospital of Hartlepool for over 20 years, and this new project will further extend efficiency and the carbon savings.
“To make a real difference and limit the damaging effects of climate change needs innovation, and this latest hospital upgrade shows what we can do for the vital healthcare sector as part of our Green Up strategic programme.
“This will help the NHS meet the net zero target , and we look forward to working in partnership with the teams at Hartlepool, and achieving their environmental goals.”
The funding was approved last year by Salix, an organisation who administer funds on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.