Veolia Energie CZ and D-energy have successfully completed one of the largest guaranteed energy savings projects in the Czech Republic. The Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital can now boast not only significant financial savings and energy efficiency, but also an innovative approach to sustainability that includes the use of hydrogen.
Challenging implementation with regard to monument protection
The implementation of the project involved a wide range of construction and technological measures, including the replacement of piping, the reconstruction of windows and the introduction of a new metering and control system. Reda Rahma, Group Managing Director of Veolia Energie, emphasises, "We have proven that we can handle a large complex project in a large site, also with listed buildings."
The large-scale project also included the investigation and implementation of innovative technologies with regard to the use of hydrogen. This highly energy-efficient energy source offers a wide range of opportunities in the field of sustainable development. The Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital has thus become one of the pioneers in integrating hydrogen technology into its energy systems.
Own and public sources of funding
The contract between Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital and the consortium of Veolia Energie ČR and D-energy was signed in 2022, followed by energy audits and implementation of measures. The scope and total cost of over CZK 600 million makes the contract one of the largest EPC projects in the Czech Republic. Hospital Director Zuzana Barboríková emphasises the importance of the combination of subsidy and guaranteed savings. Otherwise, we would not have been able to afford such an extensive reconstruction. We will save a third of our energy costs compared to before the project, and this is a significant item in our operating costs." In addition to EPC financing, the hospital also used subsidies from the Operational Programme Environment and the New Green Savings Programme, which the ministry now wants to expand, to implement this demanding project.
Comprehensive energy and water saving measures
The refurbishment included not only upgrading the heat exchanger stations and heat distribution systems, but also the installation of energy-saving devices such as thermostatic valves, pearl valves and energy-saving showers. The project also included the replacement of lighting with more efficient LED lights. A significant part of the contract was construction work, including the replacement or refurbishment of more than 3,000 windows and doors and the insulation of walls, roofs and lofts in individual buildings, totalling more than 20,000 m2. During the reconstruction of historic, listed window openings, some of them were professionally repaired and some were replaced with faithful replicas with significantly better thermal technical parameters.
Eduard Paulík, managing director of D-Energy, points out the time pressure during the project, which was carried out while the hospital was in full operation. However, thanks to the cooperation of all stakeholders, the project was completed on time. "The schedule was on days, almost without reserves, and I must thank everyone who participated in the project and helped to complete it on time. It was definitely not a given."
Benefits of long-term savings
The ten-year period of guaranteed energy savings includes energy management that will continuously evaluate and maximize the savings achieved. Cumulatively, the hospital is expected to save at least CZK 147 million over 10 years.
Projects such as the one at the Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital not only save money, but also reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to energy self-sufficiency and meeting European targets. The Czech Republic needs to accelerate the pace of building renovation to achieve its energy efficiency targets and decarbonisation and the use of energy services is one of the means to achieve this.
Photo and text source: Veolia CZ
