Berlin,Germany [APD; CD EUDNews]. On October 30 the Adventist Hospital "Waldfirede", located in Berlin-Zehlendorf received the "energy-saving hospital" award from the "Association for the Environment and Nature Protection, Germany" (BUND), for the third time after being awarded in 2002 and 2007." The seal of approval is for outstanding commitment to energy conservation and climate change mitigation in hospitals. In order to receive this certification, at least 25 percent energy and carbon dioxide (CO²) has to be saved, according to the Kyoto Protocol. At each subsequent certification (every five years) more energy and CO² savings must be demonstrated.
“Since 2001, in the area of energy supply, 'Waldfriede' has invested about 500,000 euros in new high-efficiency power systems to reduce energy consumption”, announced CEO Bernd Quoss. "The focus was on the renewal of the entire heating system, including the hydraulic balancing of all radiators, as well as the conversion of fuel from oil to gas operation" said the technical director of the hospital, Jan Peters. In addition, all air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems were networked via a building connection system (BMS). "Thus, a fast and efficient monitoring of the systems is possible. All existing hospital cooling units have been converted from water to air cooling."
“Since the beginning of the energy saving measures in 2001 and the first extension of the BUND - quality label in 2007, carbon emissions could be reduced by 40 percent”, informed Quoss. This corresponds to an annual savings of 1,280 tonnes of CO ². After repeated certification the reduction of CO ² emission amounts to a further 64 tonnes per year.
At the Award ceremony the board member of the National Association BUND Berlin, Andreas Faensen-Thiebes, stressed that Germany has only 42 energy-efficient hospitals, out of 2,017 acute care hospitals. "Waldfriede" is nationwide the second hospital, receiving the BUND certificate for the third time. Thus, it has a pioneering role in climate protection.
The acute care hospital "Waldfriede", founded in 1920, in Berlin-Zehlendorf, has 170 beds. It provides support in departments of general surgery, anesthesia, Breast Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hand and Foot Surgery, Internal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Pelvic Floor Center, intensive care, radiology and the Centers for bowel and pelvic floor surgery (Coloproctology) as well as diabetes and diabetic foot syndrome, annually for 13,000 inpatients and 48,000 outpatients. The clinic is a member of the Social Service Agency of Berlin, the Association of Protestant hospitals and inpatient facilities in Berlin-Brandenburg, the Evangelical Association of Rest Homes and Nursing Homes (EVAP) and part of the worldwide "Adventist Health system" of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
