Sygehus Sønderjylland–the local hospital in Sønderborg located in Southern Denmark–is pioneering the way in ensuring a greener and more sustainable future in healthcare as they are replacing oil-based heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient technology.
Marked the inauguration of two new heat pumps and an updated hydronic system, which will support the hospital in its transition to become carbon neutral as they phase out fossil fuels. With a combined capacity of 2.6 MW, two Energy Machines™ heat pumps will provide the hospital with sustainable heating and cooling. Each machine is equipped with four Danfoss oil-free Turbocor® compressors. These compressors boast exceptional efficiency, particularly for cooling applications, making them an excellent fit for buildings with a high cooling demand such as hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and data centers.
Energy systems of the future
The new key not only reduces the hospital’s environmental impact by lowering its carbon footprint
Bo Libergren, Regional Councilman, says: “We are thrilled to officially inaugurate our two new heat pumps as part of the hospital’s new customer demonstration room. This is a significant move away from fossil fuels and outdated gas boilers. At Sygehus Sønderjylland and in our region, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and our aim is that this project will inspire the healthcare sector to follow our example to accelerate the green transition.”
The new solution not only reduces the hospital’s environmental impact by lowering its carbon footprint, but it also creates a more comfortable indoor climate, while setting an example of how the energy systems of the future are electrified, hydronic, and integrated.
Energy-efficient technology
The two new heat pumps will replace gas and oil-based heating and cooling systems through energy-efficient technology and are expected to reduce the hospital’s annual energy consumption by around 12,500 MWh. This equals the total heat consumption of around 740 average Danish households.
The new integrated system will also enable the hospital to become an energy provider as the hospital
In addition to producing direct cooling for the hospital’s technical installations, scanners, ambulatory clinics, and wards, the hospital will use the excess heat recovered from cooling to meet the hospital process and comfort heat loads while utilizing heat to keep staff and patients comfortable. The new integrated system will also enable the hospital to become an energy provider as the hospital will provide heat to the local district heating network in terms of surplus heat to further extend the decarbonization impact to the local community. Once the system is fully implemented, the hospital expects to sell back 15,800 MWh of excess heat to the grid, which could cover the heat consumption of more than 930 average Danish households.
Decarbonizing the healthcare sector
Jürgen Fischer, President of Danfoss Climate Solutions, says: “This partnership is a lighthouse example of how innovation and collaboration can drive sustainable change. It also showcases our commitment in Danfoss to co-develop sustainable solutions to decarbonize heating and cooling. We are proud to partner with Sygehus Sønderjylland and the district heating utility Sønderborg Varme as we set a new standard for decarbonizing the healthcare sector.”
The project has been headed by a steering committee with representatives from the Sønderborg Municipality, Sønderborg Varme A/S, Rambøll, and representatives from the hospitals in the region, and Danfoss.
