Steam plant specialist Spirax Sarco reckons hospitals and healthcare organisations can improve energy efficiency, reduce risk, cut emissions – and get closer to NHS targets.
In its latest white paper, Spirax Sarco makes the point that, while substantial reductions in CO2e have already been made, a further 28% cut is still needed to meet the Climate Change Act target of 34% by 2020 – and even more to get close to its self-imposed target of 80% by 2050.
Its advice: since energy-intensive steam is critical to supplying hot water for space heating, domestic duties and sterilisation, the NHS needs a new focus on "the huge potential ... of existing and innovative steam system technologies".
The white paper suggests that investments needed are relatively low and argues that even small-scale projects can reap surprisingly high returns – potentially saving thousands of tonnes of emissions per year.
Spirax Sarco outlines the options available, with examples including replacing conventional hot water calorifiers with compact steam-to-hot-water on demand systems, and improving existing systems to maximise condensate return efficiencies.
One example cited concerns Medway Maritime Hospital, which shaved 2—3% off its main boiler house energy bill with the installation of an automated system for boiler blowdown.
Another involves Eastbourne District General Hospital's new endoscopy unit, which immediately met NHS emissions guidelines by using packaged steam-to-hot-water plant to supply hot water for space heating and hand washing.
And the white paper also cites Noble's Hospital laundry, which is saving more than £14,500 a year in energy, water and treatment chemicals, since installing a system to return condensate and flash steam energy for preheating boiler feedwater.
