Sustainable future awaits Bridlington Hospital following government funding
Key information
Scheme:
Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Technologies used:
Solar PV, Fans - air handling unit, Air source heat pump, Insulation
Region:
North East
Client type:
NHS trust
Estimated savings
£4.7m
Total grant value
1,350
Annual carbon savings tCO2e*
Working with Salix
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received £4.7m of grant funding as part of the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). The funding which is delivered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will go towards the installation of air source heat pumps and solar PV systems, significantly reducing Bridlington Hospital’s carbon emissions.
The hospital’s heating and hot water is currently generated by 20-year-old gas-fired boilers and a combined heat and power system. The project will see the combined heat and power system decommissioned and one of the boilers removed to make way for the installation of a 600kW air source heat pump system which will be capable of supplying 100% of the heating and hot water demand of the hospital.
The energy efficiency of the hospital will be improved with thermal insulation and modifying air handling units to reduce energy consumption. The energy project also includes the optimisation of the heating and hot water systems across the hospital estate which will both reduce energy usage and improve the performance of the new heat pumps. When coupled with the new 700kWp solar PV system, the heat pumps will provide zero carbon heat generation at the hospital.
I am excited to see the range of energy-efficient solutions being delivered to advance the Trust’s position on its path to net zero and reinforce its commitment to achieving its carbon-reducing target.
Picture credit: York & Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust
The solar PV system, which combines more than 1,600 panels both ground and roof mounted, will be capable of supplying 100% of the electricity demands of the heat pumps, meaning at times 100% of the heat demand of the hospital will be met through a 100% renewable source. solar PV will also provide a proportion of the hospital’s electricity requirements tool and the hospital’s energy-related carbon emissions will be reduced by over 50% compared to current operations. These savings will further increase, as the national grid continues to decarbonise electricity generation.
Steve Black, Vital Energi’s Account Director said: “We set out to design and deliver a solution which would enable the Trust to fully transition from gas-fired heat generation to a more sustainable system, which we had to do whilst ensuring the project did not increase the Trust’s annual energy and operational costs.
“We have achieved this and are delighted that we have given the Trust a system which, not only means the Trust is no longer reliant on burning fossil fuel at the hospital, but they will also have an energy system which is capable of being 100% carbon zero.”
Picture credit: York & Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust
July 2023
*tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, calculated using Green Book emissions factors for electricity published by the government.
Annual carbon savings are based on the entire project for both Bridlington and York.
