Renewable energy supply for hospital

Challenge

Hospitals have a high demand for heat and electricity. In order to further reduce its energy costs and to make its energy supply self-sufficient and independent, the St. Antonius Hospital in Gronau decided to install a new CHP unit. The aim was to install a system that was optimally tailored to the heating and electricity needs of the hospital and its 1,600 employees as part of an overall energy concept that included another CHP plant and a photovoltaic system.

Solution

SERCOO ENERGY successfully planned, designed and installed the CHP plant as a general contractor. For the new CHP plant, a modular and ready-to-connect solution was chosen that was integrated into the hospital's existing building services. With an electrical output of 200 kW and a thermal output of 243 kW, the new CHP plant was smaller than its predecessor in order to efficiently cover the base load of its own needs.

• Project planning and design: The SERCOO ENERGY team integrated the CHP into the existing building services, taking into account the spatial conditions. As a general contractor, SERCOO ENERGY coordinated all the works, from steel and plant construction to heating and ventilation technology and the application for grid feed-in to the municipal utilities.
• Technical adjustments: dismantling and reassembly of control cabinets, pipework, adjustments to the ventilation and heating technology and changes to the ventilation ducts were necessary to integrate the new system seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.
• Excellent efficiency: A high electrical efficiency was achieved by using a turbocharged motor. The system works reliably in continuous operation and meets the highest requirements for economic efficiency and sustainability.
• Smooth installation: The pre-assembled modules were brought into the machine room on the first floor in three parts and assembled on site. Thanks to the modular design, the CHP plant could be put into operation quickly and efficiently.
• Emergency power supply and PV system: The CHP plant is capable of providing emergency power and, together with another CHP plant and the photovoltaic system, ensures a self-sufficient energy supply.
• Service and maintenance: SERCOO ENERGY ensures long-term reliable operation with a follow-up maintenance contract.

Result:

The precise dimensioning of the new CHP plant ensures that both the hospital's own electricity needs and its heating supply are efficiently covered, even when the photovoltaic systems do not supply electricity due to the weather. The electricity generated covers a significant proportion of the hospital's annual electricity needs, while 100% of the heat produced is used by the hospital.