Lörrach's new clinic: Revolutionary energy supply without gas!

Lörrach's new clinic: Revolutionary energy supply without gas!

A lot is happening in Lörrach in terms of climate protection and sustainable energy supply. The new central clinic, which is currently under construction, is intended to be a showcase project for a fossil-free future. It is planned that the clinic will operate 99 percent without gas and oil, a courageous step towards the heat transition. Loud SWR Groundwater is used for this purpose, which plays an important role with stable temperatures of 12 to 13 degrees.

Thanks to modern heat pumps that work with water instead of air, the clinic has environmentally friendly temperatures in both summer and winter. These heat pumps extract heat from the groundwater and release it again via underfloor heating that covers around 42,000 square meters. In order to minimize the high costs of drilling, the groundwater is only five meters below the clinic building. In addition, after use, the water is returned to the ground via special wells, making sure that the return temperature does not exceed 20 degrees so as not to damage the microbiology.

A farewell to fossil fuels

A gas cogeneration plant was originally planned, but after the Ukraine conflict, those responsible at the Lörrach district council changed their minds and decided on a gas-free concept. “We expect our approach to be profitable in the long term,” said deputy construction manager Michael Rimmele. In order to cover the electricity requirements of the heat pumps, the clinic will purchase green electricity, while photovoltaic systems on the roofs only cover around five percent of the total electricity requirement.

Interestingly, during extended power outages, heating systems could stall because heat pumps rely on electricity. In order to be prepared for such emergencies, three gas boilers and a heating oil tank are available. These measures underline how important it is to be able to rely on a functioning energy supply even in crisis situations.

The trend towards renewable energies

The focus on renewable energies is increasing - not just in Lörrach, but around the globe. The shift to sustainable energy sources is long overdue to combat global warming and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. How The knowledge reports, there are different technologies that differ in their efficiency and sustainability.

From solar energy to wind power to geothermal energy – each technology has its strengths. For example, hydroelectric power plants are highly efficient, while biomass is often controversial in terms of its sustainability. The combination of these different forms of energy could not only make the energy supply more efficient, but also more environmentally friendly.

The developments in Lörrach are a clear sign that the path to the future can be paved if one is brave enough to throw existing concepts overboard and promote new solutions. The central clinic could not only be an example of sustainable energy supply, but could also be a role model for other cities that should definitely be followed.