Geothermal applications in AZ Sint-Lucas Hospital in Ghent
Overview
In the vibrant city of Ghent, Belgium, lies the AZ Sint-Lucas Hospital. An infrastructure boasting a capacity for 900 beds and spanning an impressive 115,000 square meters.
The journey towards sustainability at AZ Sint-Lucas began in the late 1990s, as the healthcare sector witnessed a wave of transformation through extensive renovations and new construction endeavors. With a vision to modernize and expand, approximately 100,000 square meters of the hospital's infrastructure have undergone renovation. The reduction of energy costs and the enhancing of overall efficiency lied among the goals of the renovation plan. To ensure uninterrupted power supply, a robust investment was made in a 4MVA emergency power system capable of sustaining the entire hospital.
In 1992, AZ Sint-Lucas decided to implement a geothermal cogeneration unit. This innovative system harnesses the Earth's natural heat to generate both electricity and warmth, revolutionizing the hospital's energy supply. By tapping into the Earth's thermal energy reservoirs, AZ Sint-Lucas not only ensures a reliable power source but also significantly reduces its carbon footprint.
The impact of this eco-friendly initiative speaks volumes, with the hospital boasting a remarkable reduction of 486 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Technical aspects
A 500 kW geothermal cogeneration plant was connected to Ghent’s district heating network. In total, the unit generates 500 kW of electrical power and 550 kW of thermal power. Heat from the engine’s exhaust is used to power the water heating system and support the space heating. A buffer tank was installed beside the CHP to ensure maximum efficiency of this system. As a result, Sint Lucas Hospital has seen a large decrease in CO2 emission as well as overall energy cost (less than 5 years return of investment).
Summary
Geothermal power: 500 kWhe, 550 kWhth
CO2 emissions avoided: 486 tons of CO2 emission per year