5/29/2009

SH took a large step forward in the Project 2012 facility expansion and renovation plan by celebrating the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art Energy Service Center (ESC), a building designed to run more efficiently, reduce operating expenses and leave behind a smaller carbon footprint. “Energizing Tomorrow’s Healthcare” was the theme for the May 28 ceremony and in keeping with a commitment to environmental stewardship, invitations and programs for the event were printed on recyclable, seeded paper that could be planted by recipients. Refreshments were organic or obtained locally and served with compostable and biodegradable tableware.

SH President & CEO Steven P. Johnson opened the ceremony by commenting on the significance of the center to Project 2012. “This Energy Service Center is the source of power for The Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center that will assist us in better treating the acute care needs of our patients. In addition, the center provides increased energy efficiency, reliability and redundancy that will enable us to positively impact our environment while reducing our carbon footprint,” he said. Special remarks were made during the event by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger and President of Pennsylvania College of Technology Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, who serves as chairperson of the SH Facility Development Committee. A blessing was offered for the occasion by Sister Joanne Bednar, chairperson for the SH Board of Directors.

The ESC, located on Louisa Street behind TWH&MC, has the capacity to power the entire hospital including an additional 300,000 square feet of future expansion. Featured components that define the facility include:

• New boilers that replace long outdated fossil fuel boilers installed in the 1940s that now operate by reusing exhaust heat for increased efficiency and help to reduce the hospital’s carbon emissions by 50 percent.

• Two 15,000 volt services capable of powering 600 homes.

• Two diesel generators with enough power to supply 400 homes. The new generators replace eight outdated generators and provide 30 percent more power.

• Production of steam for sterilization, heating, hot water and humidification.

• Generation of refrigerated and chilled water to control humidity and temperature and enable the hospital to regulate 70 different environments for specialized patient care.

The center’s new air handling process alone surpasses the capabilities of any other hospital in the region.

In March, a $1 million state grant was awarded to SH by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) for the installation of a new two megawatt cogeneration system. This system produces electricity by capturing and reusing waste heat to power heating and hot water systems that supply the entire hospital.

When the cogeneration system unit becomes fully operational in 2010, SH projects additional reductions in the emissions of harmful gases including nitrous oxide, sulfur oxide and mercury. SH also plans to implement system-wide environmental stewardship by pursuing grant funding through PEDA for a cogeneration system at DPH and will upgrade the air conditioning system at MVH to increase efficiency and reduce operating and maintenance expenses annually by 20 percent.