North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is set to take a giant leap towards net zero, as workers at University Hospital of Hartlepool gear up to enable the use of a 1,400kW ground source heat pump system and a 70,000 litre thermal store.
Contractor Veolia is expected to complete the works within the year – by which time, the hospital is expected to meet its 80% carbon reduction target ahead of schedule.
Work has begun on drilling deep boreholes in the ground for the ground source heat pump, which will collect energy from water stored in an aquifer. Solar panels will also be installed on the building’s roof as well as the site’s rear.
Funding
Salix, which administers funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, approved the £13m of funding for the upgrades last year.
The investment will also be used to upgrade the hospital’s air handling units as well as install new LED lighting.
“This is a major investment and a really exciting opportunity,” said group director of estates at University Hospitals Tees, Steve Taylor.
One of the country’s first
He added: “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.”
Taylor concluded that the improvements ultimately mean the hospital is making huge strides towards net zero while also providing the best care for patients.
Image credit: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
