Louis Wauters outside Lithgow Hospital (Photo supplied)
Story by Louis Wauters
A Belgian medical doctor has journeyed to Lithgow and the Blue Mountains to learn more about Planetary Health and, while spending time at the University of Notre Dame’s Clinical School in Lithgow, has also explored Lithgow Hospital’s use of geothermal ground-source heat pump technology as part of its strategy to provide ‘green power for health’.
Key Points:
Belgian doctor Louis Wauters is keen to tackle the root causes of our 21st Century health challenges, so has travelled to Lithgow and the Blue Mountains to explore how Planetary Health is being implemented in local government.
With health systems in developed nations contributing about 5-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, he was also interested to learn more about Lithgow Hospital’s use of geothermal ground source heat pump technology.
Geothermal heat pump technology can be retrofitted into homes and will pay for itself in 8-18 years.
Last year I graduated from medical school at the University of Ghent in Belgium, and during my clinical rotations I had the feeling of not getting to the root cause of the problems we were confronting. There is a Dutch saying that describes how I felt: that we were just mopping up water while the tap was on and the water kept running. Wouldn’t it be great to, where possible, prevent people from becoming sick instead of just treating sick people. Wouldn’t it be great to turn off the tap and not need to keep mopping!
This feeling led me to the area of preventive healthcare. With the biggest health threats of our time being climate change and ecosystem changes, I then ended up looking into Planetary Health.
Planetary Health is a discipline that sees the health of people intrinsically connected to the health of the planet: the ecosystems, the climate, and all of nature surrounding us. If we foster a healthy planet, we also foster our own health.
I started to delve deeper and had the opportunity to undertake an internship with the Planetary Health Alliance, the leading global body on Planetary Health. I learned so much from this experience but felt that it only catered to academia. This didn’t leave me satisfied, as I wanted to know how Planetary Health could make a difference in people’s lives.
I searched for where Planetary Health was being used as a framework to guide policy for communities and found that Blue Mountains City Council was the only place in the world that appeared to be doing this with its Planetary Health Initiative in Katoomba. I contacted the Initiative and arranged to come to Australia to learn from the work being done here.
I received a warm welcome on my arrival from Lis Bastian (left) and Saskia Everingham (right) from the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Two weeks ago I arrived in Australia and made my way to the Blue Mountains. The University of Notre Dame kindly provided me with accommodation near the hospital in Lithgow. I got to know people at the University and medical students who were having their rural rotations in the Lithgow area.
Staying near the hospital I discovered that it uses geothermal ground source heat pump technology to cool the hospital during summer and heat it during the winter. I was intrigued by this cost-effective sustainable energy solution and investigated further.
Geothermal ground source heat pump technology for heating and cooling Lithgow Hospital (Image supplied)
Instead of using an external cooling tower, the geothermal system runs water through an underground loop and uses the stable temperature of the earth to gain or lose heat before running through 75 heat pumps to provide air conditioning. The stable ground temperature at around 50-100 meters below the earth’s surface will remain almost constant at 15-17°C during the whole year.
The earth acts as a heat source or a heat sink for the hospital by running 96 pipes filled with refrigerants, a type of fluid that acts as a conductor to transport the energy, through a closed pipe system. The system is drilled into the earth to a depth of 110 meters under the hospital’s car park. This was done over 25 years ago, to allow for easier future access and to limit interference with the construction of the hospital in 1998.
In 2023 the original system was replaced with more efficient units including a modern control system and new refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential values.
During the summer months, when cooling is needed, a heat pump takes the heat from the air and stores it in the refrigerant. The refrigerant then passes through the underground pipes and is cooled due to the surrounding lower temperature. During the winter months, when heating is needed, this same heat pump will take the heat from the ground, through the refrigerant, and dissipate it through the air in the hospital. This system gives sustainable heating during the winter, and sustainable cooling during the summer.
The closed loops provide enough capacity for 67 air conditioning units and 11 water-to-water units. The water-to-water units produce chilled and heated water to the operating theatre air handling units, heated water for kitchen space heating and the hydrotherapy pool, and process cooling for the central sterilising unit. The heat pump still uses electricity but for every kWh of energy used it provides up to 2-4 kWh of energy for cooling and/or heating.
How geothermal heat pumps work.
This system can be an alternative to, or supplement solar panels., as it does in Lithgow. The added benefit is that it is more resilient in the face of external weather conditions. Unlike solar, it works as well during rainy or smoke-filled months or during winter when there is less sun.
Lithgow Hospital’s infrastructure includes a 367-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, and 1,563 LED lighting upgrades. On a bright summer’s day between 9 am and 3 pm the hospital’s entire electricity usage can be covered by green power. Some energy can even be sold back to the grid.
According to Scott Hanson (formerly Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District):
“A traditional hospital air-conditioning system relies upon natural gas for large boilers to constantly heat water and electricity for air compressors to cool air. The biggest advantage with the Lithgow Hospital geothermal system is that no natural gas is required. All the heating and cooling of air is performed at the reverse cycle air compressors using electricity. In addition, the water used is pumped through the geothermal loop underground to use the consistent temperature of the earth to gain or lose heat naturally, thereby reducing the load at the compressor. Finally, the 367 kilo-Watt roof mounted solar panel system provides enough electricity to power the system entirely for most of the day for free. The geothermal system reduces the reliance upon fossil fuels by eliminating gas for the system altogether and reducing reliance upon electricity.”
Producing more energy than the hospital consumes on a sunny day (Image: supplied)
367 kilowatts of Solar panels installed across Lithgow Hospital (Photo supplied)
The geothermal heating comes with a high capital cost for residential buildings, estimated between $15,000 and $40,000, but has low running costs as you get free energy from the ground up and it will pay for itself in about 8-18 years. It is not only possible in new homes but can also be retrofitted in existing homes as the pipes don’t need to be directly under your house.
In Europe, geothermal heat pump technology is used more commonly. In Belgium, up to 50% of new homes being built use this system, facilitated by government subsidies. There is even a debate going on about making this technology mandatory for new homes.
It was great to see these economically beneficial energy systems which help address the current ecological challenges. The geothermal heating system provides cleaner energy and saves money for the hospital at the same time. Added benefits of using geothermal for air conditioning in the hospital include eliminating noise and the risk of Legionnaires disease.
I will be looking further for other initiatives that pique my interest while staying here in Lithgow and learning more about the beautiful Blue Mountains region.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Skillshare Saturdays literally offer a `breath of fresh air` at the Planetary Health Centre on the first Saturday of the month! At our free Upcycling Fashion workshop this month you can learn more about all types of zips and how to do basic pockets and pocket flaps. You can bring your own sewing machine or use one of ours. And at Bushcare in the afternoon, you can immerse yourself in the bush at the Planetary Health Precinct as you help restore habitat and protect biodiversity (while meeting some great people and enjoying time in nature). Bookings essential for Upcycling Fashion at Eventbrite here: https://bit.ly/4dZWUoM (link in profile) If you`d like to join our Bushcare Group contact Karen Hising at khising@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or call the Bushcare Office on 4780 5623
As 190 countries gather for the @cop16colombia UN Biodiversity Summit, to focus on how we can protect the world’s flora and fauna, we’d like to thank all those local individuals and organisations dedicated to the same goal who came together for World Animal Day at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre on Saturday 5 October. They offered ways for everyone to learn more and take action. From the Blue Mountains Bird Observers, who led over 40 people on a guided Breakfast with the Birds walk, to many others who offered information stalls, talks, workshops, a Wild Life exhibition, live music, plant-based food and hands-on Bushcare. We also launched the Community Plant Based Cooking Project with the first class to be held on Saturday 9 November at @roseyravelstonbooks in Lawson. Places are limited. Learn more here: https://plantinspired.com.au/ #worldanimalday #biodiversity #plantbased #planetaryhealth #bluemountains #katoomba...
Did you know that old lino, window putty, and adhesive can contain asbestos? Yesterday the Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conference kicked off with a pre-conference workshop at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre. It included hands-on `spot the asbestos` and asbestos sampling sessions. This year`s theme is `Working together for a safe and healthy future`. #asbestos #hazardousmaterials #conference #planetaryhealth #bluemountains #katoomba...
Delicious plant based and gluten free pastries courtesy of Clean Cravings at World Animal Day today at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre. Such a lovely day! #planetaryhealth #worldanimalday...
Paul Nagle and other members of the Blue Mountains Bird Observers leading 40 people on a Guided Breakfast with the Birds as part of World Animal Day at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Precinct. It`s a stunning day. Lots more to come at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba....
A huge thank you to Josh Logan from Logan Signs, Lithgow, for installing our Circular Water Signage in time for our World Animal Day Celebration today at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre (33-39 Acacia St Katoomba). We have a full program of events with lots of information on how to prepare for the summer ahead and how to create urban areas that help us share our home respectfully with all species. It will be a fun family day too with storytime, craft and live music for kids! (Link in profile) #worldanimalday #planetaryhealth #familyday #katoomba #bluemountains...
And our Wild Life exhibition is now up for World Animal Day tomorrow at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre. Photographs by Warren Hinder, Merryl Watkins, Holly Kent and Tracy Burgess. Check out all the other events from stalls, talks, possum box demo, kid`s craft and animal storytime, plant based food and live music to Bushcare. @33-39 Acacia St Katoomba Link in profile. #planetaryhealth #worldanimalday #katoomba...
Join the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative at World Animal Day this Saturday 5 October for a discussion on the history of the Plant Based Food Movement in Australia and a discussion of exciting contemporary trends. It will be followed by a Plant Based Cheese Degustation to launch the Plant Inspired Community Cooking Project. This will be a series of cooking classes to introduce the community to plant based cooking techniques. The event is free but places are limited so bookings essential (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3Bzbwhu #plantbasedcooking #worldanimalday #bluemountains #katoomba #planetaryhealth #communitycooking...
We share the Blue Mountains with so many extraordinary beings but have you seen them and do you know their names? Do you know the difference between a Royal Spoonbill and an Eastern Shrike-tit, or the difference between a bandicoot and an antechinus? Come and check out our Wild Life Exhibition at World Animal Day this Saturday to learn more from the stunning photographs by Warren Hinder, Merryl Watkins, Holly Kent and Tracy Burgess. There will be also be a Breakfast with the Birds at 8.30am, Animal Storytime and Craft for kids from 10am, stalls, talks, food and live music. The day is free but please book via Eventbrite to help us cater (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4eMhbz0 @bluemountainswalks @merrylwatkinsphotography @bestofbluemountains #royalspoonbill #easternshriketit #wildlife #birdsofthebluemountains #bluemountains #katoomba #worldanimalday #biodiversity #planetaryhealth...
To coincide with the first day of Bushfire Season we launched Air Watch at the Planetary Health Centre yesterday. For the last seven years Blue Mountains Unions & Community have been working tirelessly to ensure residents of the Blue Mountains and Lithgow are able to measure and track the quality of the air we breathe. The Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has worked closely with them over the last year and now there are 20 PurpleAir monitors distributed throughout the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, including one at the Planetary Health Centre. You can now view real time air quality measurements at each of our local news sites and on the Purple Air Map https://map.purpleair.com We have 10 more sensors available, so if you’d like to install a sensor, members of BMUC will be at World Animal Day at the Planetary Health Centre this Saturday 5 October to take applications and share more information about the project. Bookings for World Animal Day here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-animal-day-promoting-respectful-cohabitation-tickets-1029328889417
It was a fabulous day yesterday as each speaker highlighted how critically important this project is: Dr Rosemary Dillon CEO of Blue Mountains City Council Trish Doyle MP Dr Jenna Condie from Blue Mountains Parents for Climate Dr Maggie Davidson, environmental scientist from Western Sydney University Matthew Riley, Director Climate and Atmospheric Science from NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Peter Lammiman and Ann-Maree McEwan from the BMUC’s Airwatch Committee. @bluemountainsunionists @nswdcceew @bluemountainscitycouncil @westernsydneyu @trishdoylemp @parentsforclimatebluemountains #airqualilty #airqualitymonitors #bluemountains #planetaryhealth...
Treat yourself this weekend with a fun-filled and informative World Animal Day event at the Planetary Health Precinct in Katoomba. As well as a Breakfast with the Birds, stalls and a possum box demonstration, there will be a fabulous wildlife exhibition with photos by Warren Hinder, Merryl Watkins, Tracy Burgess and Holly Jayne; live music with Mem Davis, Joe Flood and Duck Keegan; lots of fun for kids with Sharon Baldwin and Naomi Crew leading animal storytime and craft with Julie Refferty; delicious plant based, gluten and dairy free treats, pastries and donuts from Clean Cravings; a plant based cheese degustation and warming Dahl, rice roasted cauliflower with veggies, pakoras, tamarind chutney, and salad courtesy of Bibi’s Kitchen. Come and learn more about Blue Mountains Bird Observers, Blue Mountains Conservation Society, WIRES, Action for Animals Blue Mountains and Animal Sanctuaries, Wombat Rescue, the Women’s Shed, and Animal Welfare Laws in Australia.
Guest speakers throughout the day will include Elizabeth Ellis, lecturer and author of Australian Animal Law; Hal Ginges, a local lawyer and animal activist from Action for Animals who advocates for animal rights and raises money for sanctuaries; Mark Berriman who has been President of the Australian Vegetarian Society NSW since 1989, as well as Co-ordinator for Animal Liberation NSW, Director of the Natural Health Society of Australia and the World League for Protection of Animals; and Teya Brooks Pribac, a researcher in the area of animal studies and the award-winning author of Enter the Animal. She’s also published Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook and will be sharing her culinary skills with the community in the Plant Inspired Community Cooking Project.
The event is free but please book your place to help us cater (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-animal-day-promoting-respectful-cohabitation-tickets-1029328889417
We are so looking forward to kicking off World Animal Day Celebrations on Saturday 5 October with an 8.30am Breakfast with the Birds. Join Paul Nagle from the Blue Mountains Bird Observers on a guided bird walk around the Planetary Health Precinct visiting different habitats on the site to observe and talk about the birdlife that is resident and that visits the site. Binoculars are highly recommended.
World Animal Day will be an inspiring family day celebrating the extraordinary diversity of animals we share our world with! The theme is `Promoting Respectful Cohabitation`. Bookings for the Breakfast with the Birds (link in profile) or here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakfast-with-the-birds-tickets-1028664983657
Louis Wauters has recently graduated from medical school in Ghent, Belgium, where he lives. At the beginning of his clinical career he has come here to learn about Planetary Health and all its benefits. He is a strong believer in preventive medicine, and wants to strengthen social and environmental health by helping to rebuild the communities and an ecological lifestyle in society and healthcare.
In response to rising living costs, Western Sydney University’s Lithgow Transformation Hub is offering eligible residents an opportunity to take part in a unique informational study, which could result in huge savings as well as a better understanding of how to make more empowered choices about energy use.
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