How we’re helping Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre improve sustainability and patient comfort

It’s on us to make new energy work for everyone and that’s just what we’re doing at NUH’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham. We’re installing a range of energy saving technologies to support NUH’s net zero ambitions.

From a zero-carbon geothermal heating and cooling system to new double-glazed windows and state of the art building controls, the partnership is designed to benefit the hospital and its patients for years to come.

Anthony May OBE DL, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Working with E.ON demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability. The partnership offers a creative solution to meeting our energy needs and tackling climate change, while improving the comfort of patients and colleagues by allowing us to better manage temperatures within our buildings. Innovative projects like these are helping us to meet our ambitious goal of achieving a net zero carbon operation for heating and cooling system emissions by 2040.”

Things are looking brighter already

We’ve recently installed an impressive six miles' worth of windows – approximately 12,000 windows covering c18,000m². The new double-glazed windows will significantly improve energy efficiency by reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, as well as improving comfort on the wards for patients, visitors and staff alike.

And it’s already starting to make a difference. Staff have shared their enthusiasm about the changes to their working environment, and their feedback has been positive – highlighting more natural light, warmth and a quieter atmosphere.

We’re proud to be part of a project that is increasing patient comfort by keeping the warmth inside and driving energy efficiency across the hospital, cutting costs and carbon too.

Keeping the hospital warm (and cool) with geothermal technology

As part of our ambitious project to revolutionise the hospital’s energy systems, we’re using cutting edge renewable geothermal heating and cooling technology. We’re installing an innovative heat pump and borehole solution which will reduce the carbon emissions associated with QMC's heating and cooling systems by more than 40% once competed.

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 and even reduce energy waste by recycling excess heat. In fact, any excess heat can be stored or persevered to be used at a later date – helping to lower the demand for fossil fuels which in turn reduces energy costs for the hospital trust.

The new heating and cooling system will provide the hospital with reliable and low carbon heating and cooling to the entire hospital, helping to further improve staff and patient comfort as well as the hospital’s sustainability credentials.

Our partnership with NUH 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.

Together, we’re helping decarbonise the NHS and bring greater comfort to patients, staff and visitors.