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Geothermal energy at Kalmar county hospital
Published on 01 June 2018

Sweden
Mellersta Norrland
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About this good practice
County councils in Kalmar County are investing in sustainability and energy conservation. Geo-energy was an option they looked at to meet the hospital's requirements for cooling and heating. After looking at the 40-year lifecycle cost, they realized it would be a really good deal to adopt such solution. The system began to be operational in 2016, although its completion is planned in 2018. The hospital covers 15 000 m2 of local area.
The specific solution adopted by the County was geothermal storage using the aquifer near the County Hospital in Kalmar. The aquifer stock will deliver 75 % of the cooling needed by the hospital while reducing the need for purchased heat by approximately 25 %.
16 (8 hot and 8 cold) wells are being built together with a new central cooling system. The groundwater temperature is used for seasonal storage of both heat and cooling as there is heat or cooling needs in the buildings. The 16 geo-energy wells have a maximum 60 l/s pump flow and can produce a power of approximately 2 MW of cooling / heating. Free energy from groundwater is calculated per year to 2800 MWh of cooling and 1400 MWh of heat. Energy savings are estimated to 1800 MWh / year.
In addition, they have solar cells and solar collectors installed on roof of the three different buildings on the property. The installed solar cells have a power output of 85 kW and deliver approximately 80,000 kWh / year. There are also 170 m2 solar panels for hot water producing about 80,000 kWh / year
The specific solution adopted by the County was geothermal storage using the aquifer near the County Hospital in Kalmar. The aquifer stock will deliver 75 % of the cooling needed by the hospital while reducing the need for purchased heat by approximately 25 %.
16 (8 hot and 8 cold) wells are being built together with a new central cooling system. The groundwater temperature is used for seasonal storage of both heat and cooling as there is heat or cooling needs in the buildings. The 16 geo-energy wells have a maximum 60 l/s pump flow and can produce a power of approximately 2 MW of cooling / heating. Free energy from groundwater is calculated per year to 2800 MWh of cooling and 1400 MWh of heat. Energy savings are estimated to 1800 MWh / year.
In addition, they have solar cells and solar collectors installed on roof of the three different buildings on the property. The installed solar cells have a power output of 85 kW and deliver approximately 80,000 kWh / year. There are also 170 m2 solar panels for hot water producing about 80,000 kWh / year
Resources needed
The geothermal plant is an investment of 2,5 million Euro, which reduces costs for operation, maintenance and energy use. An LCA, shows that the total cost of geothermal energy is 1,25 million Euro lower for 25 years, compared to today's system of local refrigerators in each building.
Evidence of success
The plant is not fully developed yet. Six of sixteen wells were connected in 2017. The system is working properly and more buildings and drills are being connected to the system gradually. Since the plant is not fully used yet, it is too early to see the actual result.
Potential for learning or transfer
Today there are several geo-energy facilities in hospitals in Sweden. In this case, there are also facilities for using solar energy. Due to the high energy demand in hospitals, it would be recommended to replicate in anyother building of this type, as long as they have the geographical resources. If not geothermal, solar is another option, as they usually have large roof surfaces.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden

Sweden
Sydsverige
Contact
Projectmanager