Queen’s Medical Centre – building a net zero NHS.

We all know how vital a role the National Health Service (NHS) plays in our lives. But it’s not only looking after our health – it’s also helping to pave the way for a greener future, with help from E.ON Next.

We’ve partnered with Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), one of the largest NHS hospitals in the UK, to help them reach their target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. It’s on us to make new energy work for everyone and helping to decarbonise the NHS will bring benefits to many. Let’s take a closer look at our roadmap and why this energy partnership matters.

Why is decarbonising the NHS important?

As a major public institution, the NHS can make a huge impact by transitioning to renewable energy. Reducing its carbon footprint has a positive environmental impact, helping to slow down climate change. 

The transition to renewable energy is also important for the long-term future of the NHS itself. Renewable energy technology could lead to lower energy bills in the long-term, which reduces the cost of running NHS sites. Renewable energy also helps to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, which can create health issues. By improving the local air quality, we can also improve the health of the nation, which in turn helps to ease pressure on the NHS. 

Decarbonising the NHS is a vital step towards net zero and preserving our beloved NHS services, so we’re here to help remove the barriers to the energy transition. Our partnership with QMC is supported by funding from Phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). It’s a funding scheme run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. The Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF) facilitated the programme and is responsible for major energy infrastructure upgrades across the NHS.

What sustainable energy solutions are we implementing?

Our 15 year energy efficiency partnership with QMC will help them become net zero by 2030 by installing a range of energy saving technologies. From a zero-carbon geothermal heating and cooling system to energy saving windows and state of the art building controls – the partnership is designed to benefit the hospital and its patients for years to come.

Here’s how we’ll help QMC reach their net zero goals:

Carbon emissions reduced by 30%. We're reducing CO2 emissions by 30% using heat pumps that reduce energy waste by recycling excess heat. This will rise to a 43% reduction once completed¹.

18,000m2 of windows replaced. New double glazed windows will increase patient comfort and drive energy efficiency for the hospital, cutting costs and carbon.

Saving 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. The new heating and cooling system will account for 10,000 tonnes of carbon savings – that's equivalent to taking more than 2,200 cars off the road².

Our partnership’s progress towards net zero so far.

We’ve provided a source of heating and cooling to the QMC for many decades already, with an E.ON energy site in the grounds of the hospital. We're proud Nottingham University Hospitals are trusting us to build on that successful relationship to support their net zero ambitions.

We’re using energy management software to identify and target areas where energy and cost savings can be made and find the right technological solutions. This influenced the choice to use large commercial heat pumps and new windows to improve energy efficiency across the QMC estate, whilst improving the environment for patients and staff.

We've already begun delivering the new programme of works at the QMC. We're working with Wilmott Dixon and Acorn Aluminium to replace around 12,000 single glazed windows, with more efficient double glazed units. 

What are the future goals of the partnership?

Thanks to our continued partnership with QMC, a new £15 million energy centre, built and operated by E.ON control solutions, will provide low carbon heating and cooling to the entire hospital, helping to keep patients and staff comfortable at all times of day. 

In addition to the hospital's current combined heat and power (CHP) plant, the new heat pumps, boreholes, and heat recovery system at the QMC give the facility a more environmentally friendly source of heating, cooling and energy.

The heat pumps use electricity to draw heat from the ground through 64 boreholes drilled beneath the hospital site, and they can also use the air outside to generate heat. Excess heat can be piped down into boreholes and stored for use at a later date. Any leftover heat can be recycled by the heat pumps. This lowers the demand for fossil fuels and in turn reduces energy costs for the hospital trust. 

So, to sum up our goals:

Less waste energy. Heat pumps reduce energy waste by recycling heat that would otherwise be ejected into the air.

Less reliance on fossil fuels. Localised electrical systems reduce dependence on fossil fuel electricity generation and help to cut greenhouse gases.

Better security of supply. When the NHS generates more of its own power, it becomes less reliant on the national energy supply, while also making best use of space in a congested city centre.