At the end of August, the new combined heat and power (CHP) installation at Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) was officially commissioned. Ten years after installing the hospital’s first CHP system, Luminus Solutions has fully renewed and optimized the installation, ensuring efficient and sustainable heat and power production for the next decade.
A Pioneer in Sustainable Energy
For many years, UZA has been a frontrunner in sustainability. Back in 2015, the hospital invested in an energy-efficient CHP installation, complementing earlier initiatives such as an energy-neutral building and a geothermal BEO field. The original 1560 kWe system, designed and installed by Luminus Solutions, included heat storage and flue gas heat recovery. It enabled the hospital to increase its heat production while significantly reducing energy consumption and related costs. Luminus Solutions also upgraded the domestic hot water system, further improving overall efficiency. Together, these measures delivered annual energy savings of around 30%.
A New Generation of CHP
After ten years of reliable operation, the installation had reached its maximum number of running hours. Although CHP certificate support is no longer available, UZA remains convinced of the technology’s economic and ecological value. The hospital therefore launched a new tender for the replacement and optimization of the system, including the integration of a heat pump into the hydraulic heating network.
Luminus Solutions once again earned UZA’s trust and collaborated closely to enhance the site’s heat production and utilization:
- The original 1560 kWe MWM genset was replaced by a more robust 1200 kWe Jenbacher. As the low-temperature heat (40–45°C) from the previous system was not used, the new configuration employs a gas engine with a single-stage intercooler, providing more heat for the high-temperature circuit (70–90°C), which is directly injected into the hospital’s heating network.
- The planned heat pump proved unnecessary in this configuration. The alternative solution designed by Luminus Solutions delivers significant cost savings while maintaining a similar efficiency level – only 0.5 to 1% lower than a CHP system with both HT and LT circuits and a heat pump.
- The new CHP unit was installed in the existing acoustic enclosure and connected to the existing electrical infrastructure. The transformer and high-voltage cell from the previous installation were retained.
Smooth Execution and Future-Proof Maintenance
The full replacement project was completed in just six months, without disrupting the hospital’s daily operations. During the summer, when heat demand was lowest, the existing gas boilers temporarily provided the required heat. The new installation was successfully commissioned at the end of August.
A new 10-year or 60,000 operating hour maintenance contract has now started, ensuring optimal performance and maximum reliability. With this, Luminus Solutions will continue to support UZA with efficient and sustainable energy production for many years to come.