An historic hospital in Connecticut is stepping up to be first in line on new-gen energy technology for its health care system.
Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (L+M) in New London is going to have a natural gas fuel-cell microgrid installed. It will be the first hospital in the Yale New Haven Health System to place an alternate energy resource on campus.
“Through this project we have a unique opportunity to not only improve hospital operations, but also to improve the environmental health of New London,” said Robert Palumberi, L+M facilities administrative director. “We’re proud and excited to be part of the state of Connecticut’s solution to meet goals for clean and renewable energy.”
Bloom Energy is contracting with the health care system to install the 1.75-MW fuel cell microgrid. Fuel cells will convert the natural gas to electricity without combustion, thus reducing emissions, according to the plan.
Construction began this spring and the project should be operational by the summer, according to reports. Backup gen-sets will remain in place.
Once operational, officials say, it could save the hospital about $9 million per year in energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions by 23 percent. In one year, the fuel cells are expected to prevent the emission of more than 7,935 pounds of nitrogen oxide, a pollutant that causes smog, as well as offsetting the emission of more than 3,537 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
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“It is important that we support the health of our environment through actions that support sustainability efforts. By making this investment we are demonstrating the importance of being good stewards of the environment,” said Denise J. Fiore, L+M senior vice president and chief operating officer.
The original Joseph Lawrence Free Public Hospital opened its New London doors in April 1912 with 30 beds, a maternity ward, nursey and one elevator. The L + M system now services more than 10,000 patients per year.
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(Rod Walton, senior editor for EnergyTech, is a 14-year veteran of covering the energy industry both as a newspaper and trade journalist. He can be reached at [email protected]).
