High-performance solutions result in savings, LEED® certifications, and better health care Spectrum Health is the largest not-for-profit health care system in West Michigan with nine hospitals, more than 180 service sites, and 1,983 licensed beds system-wide. As the region’s leading health care system, Spectrum Health touches thousands of lives each year and continues to grow and build on its strengths by renovating existing facilities and opening new ones, including a state-of-the-art cancer pavilion and a new children’s hospital; bringing leading-edge technology and medical treatments to the region; and supporting exciting new initiatives for medical education and research. In addition, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters.

CHALLENGE

Spectrum Health’s vision is to be the national leader for health by 2020. With this vision comes responsibility, not only for the health of their patients, but also for the health of the environments they impact. Their mission, therefore, includes a commitment to sustainability, which refers to meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Trane has earned Spectrum’s trust through many years of providing high-performance equipment and outstanding service. As a result, Trane has provided systems and services for numerous Spectrum Health projects, including the chiller plant, energy center, and absorber at the Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.

BUTTERWORTH HOSPITAL CHILLER PLANT

In-depth analysis by Trane engineers identified a chiller plant and controls upgrade that is providing Spectrum Health $127,000 in annual energy savings. The upgrade included modifications to two existing chillers to increase efficiency, installation of VSDs on existing chilled water pump and cooling tower fan motors, and installation of a Trane chiller plant sequencing and control system to coordinate and optimize the operation of multiple chillers throughout the facility.

BUTTERWORTH HOSPITAL ENERGY CENTER

Spectrum Health decided to significantly reconfigure the infrastructure in the energy center. Once again, Spectrum maintained a focus on increased energy efficiency and reduced operating cost. The project included an extension of the Trane Tracer Summit® BAS and installation of a new high-efficiency Trane CenTraVac® centrifugal chiller. The new chiller was optimized to take advantage of an existing cooling tower to provide exceptional energy efficiency, and qualified for over $50,000 in utility rebates. Trane also provided a 1,000-ton rental chiller for backup purposes during construction. Energy savings from all of the upgrades are estimated to be $300,000 per year.

BUTTERWORTH HOSPITAL ABSORBER

As part of a previous project, Spectrum Health had eliminated a cogeneration turbine that provided low-cost steam to an absorption chiller. Consequently, operation of this chiller was no longer cost effective. Spectrum selected Trane to provide a complete turnkey project to replace the existing absorption chiller with a new high-efficiency centrifugal chiller. The project included engineering design, construction management, and mechanical and electrical installation, as well as new equipment and controls.

The entire project was purchased through the Novation agreement to leverage the purchasing power of the Spectrum Health organization. As before, the new chiller was optimized for energy efficiency, qualified for over $50,000 in utility rebates, and is estimated to save $150,000 per year.

SERVICE AGREEMENT

Spectrum Health also selected Trane as their long-term service provider for both equipment and controls. The agreement was finalized through Novation and provides select coverage for Spectrum’s chillers as well as service and support for both Trane and non-Trane BAS.

“The knowledge, experience and progressive thinking of Trane align well with our organizational priorities and drive value throughout our health care system,” said Tom Theoret, director, facility support services, Spectrum Health. “Their solutions strike a balanced approach that enhances safety and quality, reduces operating expenses, augments environmental conditions and most importantly, provides exceptional experiences for our patients and staff. It’s great to have a trusted partner assisting our team in achieving our mission, vision and values.”