Abstract

In response to the climate crisis, the NHS has set a target to decarbonise its estate by 2040. A key part of the decarbonisation will be achieved through the transition away from fossil fuels to all-electric heating solutions utilising electric heat pumps for existing estate.

Decarbonisation of the national grid over time will continue to reduce carbon emissions associated with electricity. Coupled with this, the systematic improvement in the efficiency of fabric and engineering systems will reduce core energy demand. However, this is a complex and lengthy process with differing solutions for different buildings and sites.

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss through a case study of two contrasting sites for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust the practicalities and pitfalls of decarbonising the existing NHS estate. It aims to share the learnings from this feasibility journey for the benefit of other NHS trusts and wider public estates needing to be decarbonised.

Methods: This case study looks at how existing buildings on the Trust’s estate can be decarbonised, moving away from fossil fuels, such as natural gas and oil boilers, to electric heat pumps. The study focuses on two very different sites in the UHBW estate: a city centre site in Bristol and a campus site in Weston-super-Mare. The city site features a large variety of buildings on its estate, which has been developed over several decades with different heating systems and a new local heat network. The standalone site in Weston-super-Mare is fuelled by high-efficiency boilers and combined heat and power, and features several remote buildings. 

Key considerations include:

• analysis of existing estate;
• feasibility of efficiency improvements for fabric and engineering systems;
• application of different heat pump technologies;
• key considerations retrofitting heat pumps to existing buildings and heating systems; and
• high-level costs analysis.

Results: This presentation will provide a summary of the different approaches and technologies that can help decarbonise the use of fossil fuels in existing NHS estate.

Conclusion: We hope this case study demonstrates practical considerations for decarbonisation of the NHS estate, giving delegates clear information to take away and consider in their own hospital and healthcare schemes.