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.
The KTOWN pickers - Katoombans Taking On Waste Now - are clearing litter from local tracks and streets and stopping it from entering our waterways and eventually our water supply. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/ktown-katoombans-taking-on-waste-now/
This Saturday will be the first meeting of the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre, starting at 10am. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3LalNFy
It will be followed by the Planetary Health Bushcare group at 1.30pm. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo
Global poisoning by a tsunami of toxins that are flooding the planet is fast becoming the biggest threat to life on earth. Extreme weather events like fire and flood accelerate this chemical pollution. To address this the Planetary Health Centre`s Full Cycle 2025 conference from 20-22 Nov is bringing together leading experts in managing extreme weather events as well as those who are working on reducing the risk of hazardous materials like asbestos and PFAS. According to keynote speaker Julian Cribb:
"The poisoning of our planet through human chemical emissions is arguably the largest human impact of all upon the Earth. In volume, it is four to five times greater than our climate emissions (which are a part of it), and three times more lethal than the estimated climate death-toll. It is the mega-threat least understood by society, monitored by science or regulated by government. It has mainly occurred over the last 50 years, due to a massive global surge in chemical use and materials extraction.
Scientific assessment has identified more than 350,000 man-made chemicals. The US Department of Health estimates 2000 new chemicals go on the market every year and the Smithsonian says 1000 new compounds are now being synthesised every hour. The UN Environment Program warns about a third of these “are persistent, able to accumulate in humans and animals and are toxic”.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 13.7 million people — one in every four — die each year from diseases caused by “air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation”, caused by human activity.
Human chemical emissions are thus responsible for the largest mass killing in history.
Learn more and register for the conference here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
There will be a free community expo on Saturday 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba.
Conference volunteers receive free registration. Email planetaryhealthevents@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to volunteer at this critically important event.
T`ai-chi and Qigong routines can increase mobility and strength, improve immunity and help build an inner calm. To get the greatest health impact you need to practice them on a regular basis, so we`re thrilled to now be offering a 6-week block of classes to take you into summer starting 9am this Saturday 1 November and running until Sat 6 December. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4qrw4Nx This Saturday, 1 November, the activity is also the first in a full day of Skill Share activities at the Centre that includes Seed Saving and Gardening from 10am, and Planetary Health Bushcare from 1.30pm. You can book in for Bushcare here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo Contact Lis on 0407 437 553 for more information.
Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be meeting again at the Planetary Health Centre at 6pm on Monday 27 October. Register at this link if you`d like to attend! (link in profile) https://events.humanitix.com/rotarians-4-planetary-health-l7bb4qhr?
Thank you to everyone who popped by for the @ediblegardentrailbluemountains today! It was a great day discussing gardens, ponds, frogs, seeds, composting seats, wicking beds and how to restore the hydrological cycle! Next Saturday will be our Skill Share Saturday. We`ll be kickstarting a 6-week block of Tai Chi & Qigong at 9am, launching our Seed Saving and Gardening Group at 10am and running our monthly Bushcare Group at 1.30pm. You can book in for Tai Chi here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/tai-chi-and-qigong-six-week-block-spring-2025-qaw2ts2v and to Bushcare here (link also in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-bushcare-spring-summer-2025
The Planetary Health Centre is on the Edible Garden Trail today! Last week we launched the Upper Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group. Come along to learn more, enjoy a coffee in our garden, and pick up a free Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guide. We`re open from 10am. You can find us at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Tickets for the Edible Garden Trail available here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-edible-garden-trail-2025
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out. Read about three days of innovation at the upcoming Full Cycle Conference in Nov, the Edible Garden Trail this weekend, and a six week block of Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre (link in profile): https://bit.ly/47jbFBz
Today is an Extreme Bushfire Danger Day! Have you heard about the extraordinary fire resistant paint developed by Professor Yeoh and his team at UNSW? Professor Yeoh will be presenting at our Full Cycle Conference on Thurs 20 November. He is world renowned in the field of fire safety and his innovations are helping to keep people and property safe. Importantly among these innovations has been the development and commercialisation of FSA FIRECOAT paint (sold at Bunnings), which creates a protective insulating ‘char’ on a building when it’s exposed to flames. It is water based and non toxic. Watch it in action in this video (link in profile): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkA1RlxMjWQ
Join us at the Conference to learn more about Professor Yeoh’s work during three days of innovation and exploration in which leading speakers from around Australia will share how we can reduce the risks of natural hazards and hazardous materials. Places are limited so register here now (link in profile): https://www.fullcycleconference.com.au/
With new modelling suggesting a hot summer with increasing fire risk it`s worth making time now to learn more about how we can reduce the risk of disaster by registering to attend the Full Cycle Conference that`s bringing together the Bushfire Building and Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conferences in Katoomba on 20-22nd Nov. Group discounts apply if you register now here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
• Emma Whale from the NSW Reconstruction Authority will discuss how state-wide and place-based disaster adaptation planning is helping reduce risk;
• David Sanderson, the inaugural Judith Neilson Chair in Architecture at UNSW, will share the results of a landmark enquiry on how our response to disasters requires a change in housing policy and local government empowerment;
• Owen Price, Director of The Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires at UOW will compare the patterns of housing loss in the NSW and Californian wildfires;
• Guan Heng Yeoh from UNSW will share how he developed the award winning FIRECOAT fire resistant paint;
• Everson Kandare from RMIT University will discuss the development of fireproof cladding made from molasses-cultured mycelium - a fungal biomass;
• Alan Green from the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre UOW will introduce Heatwave and Multi-Hazard Resilience Star Rating Tools for retrofitting houses;
• Emma Bacon from Sweltering Cities and Dr Kim Loo from Doctors for the Environment will discuss heat waves and social justice;
• Andrew Bovis from Integrated Water Solutions will discuss the potential use of treated blackwater as an independent water source for landscape hydration and fire fighting;
• Sara Jane Wilkinson from UTS will launch the Bushfire Retrofitting Toolkit for older Australians and do a session on green roofs and walls to reduce disaster risk and increase biodiversity;
• Melissa Knothe Tate will discuss research on tackling PFAS contamination;
Thank you to everyone who participated in our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair today. It was an inspiring and thought provoking day with lots learnt, many connections made, amazing food consumed and stunning weather! We look forward to doing it again next year!
The inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair kicks off at 9am today at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Pop in to listen to a talk, watch a demo, grab a coffee and sweet treat from Good Fat Pastry, a delicious lunch from Bibi`s Kitchen, fresh mushrooms from EarthRising Mushroom Farm, locally acclimatised vegetable seeds from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, and edible native plants from Muru Mittigar Ltd You can view the full program here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle The Planetary Health Centre is at 33-39 Acacia St (former Katoomba Golf Course).
The Fair is a World Animal Day event and has been supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association of Environmental Educators.
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.
