The new lighting systems will enhance the patient care environment, cut carbon, deliver a 91% energy saving, and electrical operating savings of around £400k per year, to the hospitals that serve a population of around 736,700 people.
The upgrade has covered the installation of 10,106 LED light fittings, including standard and emergency luminaires across the main hospital sites. The new systems are linked to smart controls and sensors that monitor ambient light and presence, control output to the correct level, dim and switch when there is sufficient daylight and illuminate only when the area is occupied. These combine an improved quality of lighting throughout each building with annual energy savings of 4.5m kWh per year, and CO2 savings of over 2,400 tonnes.
Backing the lighting upgrades are a range of carbon-reducing measures including a new combined heat and power plant, boiler enhancements, conversion of the steam system to a low-temperature hot water network, new electrical infrastructure upgrades and control systems for the facilities that cover 74,174m2. The new plant will be operated and maintained by Veolia's engineering teams for 15 years, with investment payback achieved in just over three years.
Commenting on this latest energy project, John Abraham chief operating officer - industrial, water & energy UK said, “We look forward to continuing our work with the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and helping them achieve their carbon reduction targets. The new energy performance contract will now extend their efficiency and sustainability, and make a real difference to the patient care facilities, and the cost savings will also make a big difference to the Trust’s budget"
Claire Hall, Associate Director – Strategic Business Planning, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, said: “We have already made great strides in reducing our carbon footprint. By upgrading and investing in sustainable technologies, it’s our ambition to reduce this by 28 per cent by 2021.”
The new contract will build on the reductions achieved by Veolia at Lincoln Hospital where around 64,000 tonnes of CO2 has been saved since 2004, and included the successful ‘90k in 90 days’ initiative, a three-month challenge to engage staff to make regular, small, money-saving changes. This resulted in the Trust cutting its overall carbon footprint by 13% between 2009 and 2015 against a national average of 10%.