Enhancing the Healing Environment with Geothermal Energy

Sherman Hospital – case study

Sherman Replacement Hospital The Project

• Originally opened in 1888 – 4 beds and 1 OR• Many additions between 1895 and 1999• Increased population requires further expansion• Existing 13 acre site – “tapped out”• Purchased new ground at Randall / Big Timber• Plans begin for replacement facility

Sherman Replacement Hospital The Criteria

• Modern expandable facility• Attraction of a healing environment• Sustainability a primary focus• Patient comfort and safety a priority• Control the rising cost of operation

Energy & Water

Sherman Replacement Hospital Why Geothermal

• Visited Great River Medical Center as a model• Required storm water detention• Met the requirements of resource conservation• Healing environment enhanced with large lake

Geothermal +/-

• Uses less energy• Uses fewer natural resources• Reduces operating costs• No cooling towers / chemicals• Increased marketing potential• Therapeutic value

• “Buy in” and training• Added first cost for lake or wells• Requires extra acreage• Maintenance of heat pumps• Shorter equipment life

Pros Cons

Hospital Energy UsageHospitals among most complex and energy intensive facilities.

Hospitals spend $5 billion annually on energy.

Represents 1% - 3% of typical hospital’s operating budget or an estimated 15% of profits.

Sherman Stats

• 650,000 SF greenfield campus

• Opened late 2009• Planned to build 5-acre lake,

extra 10 acres required for total 15-acre lake

• $400,000 grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

• $1,000,000 grant from DOE

Sherman Geothermal• 15 acre, 18’ deep lake provides 2400 tons of cooling

• Can expand to 3400 tons in future within lake footprint

• 175 heat exchangers (150 miles of piping) at bottom of lake

• 750 water-to-air heat pumps for comfort cooling

• 50 water-to-water heat pumps for infrastructure

• Water level maintained with two wells

Energy Efficient Design Concepts

• Intelligent Lighting systems from occupancy sensors to time zones.

• Building automation, programmable thermostats

• No Cooling towers (all condenser water returns to closed loop lake)

• Water = low flow faucets, shower heads, toilets.

• Tankless water heaters

• Windows = low “E” glass• Recycling programs include: cardboard, plastic, glass, paper & metals, lamps, batteries, oil, (fryer and motor)

Sherman Geothermal• Lake serves multiple purposes

thermal source therapeutic healing environment storm water retention

• Excavated fill used to raise building 5’ for greater presence

• Irrigation system uses water from lake rather than city

• Manifold Room educates public about renewable energy

Sherman Financial Analysis

Existing Facility Energy Costs 2009• Electric/Gas/Water $3,567,682• $/ Ft 2 $ 5.91

Estimated New Facility Energy - Conventional• $5.91/Ft2 x .90% Eff. Gain = $5.32/Ft2

• Electric/Natural Gas/Water $3,434,000 or $5.32/Ft2

Project Goal for New Facility Energy Costs 2010• Electric/Natural Gas/Water $2,650,000 or $4.10/Ft2

Actual New Facility Energy Costs 2010*

• Electric/Natural Gas/Water cNatural G $2,184,130 or $3.38/Ft2

• Extrapolated for incomplete (11 Months) 1st year

*

Sherman Energy Analysis

Existing Facility

2009 – Fully Occupied 350,260 BTU / Ft2 / YR

2010 – Partially Occupied 225,760 BTU / Ft2 / YR

New Facility2010 – Fully Occupied 164,200 BTU / Ft2 / YR

*

Sherman Water Consumption

Existing Facility

2009 – Fully Occupied 85.38 GAL / Ft2 / YR

2010 – Partially Occupied 35.48 GAL / Ft2 / YR

New Facility2010 – Fully Occupied 18.88 GAL / Ft2 / YR

*

Sherman Lake Construction

5/07 9/07 4/08

9/08

Sherman Manifold Room

Sherman Heat Exchanger Construction

Sherman Pipe Placement

Sherman’s New Hospital