"We wanted a smart, cost-effective building," explains François Mourgues, the centre's Managing Director. "
That's why we partnered with ADEME (French Environment Energy Management Agency) and France's Centre for Building Science and Technology (CDPE), first to conduct a pilot Commercial HQE project and subsequently, with the help of financial backing from Caisse des Dépôts (CDC), to establish a model for receiving Medical HQE certification. We're not in the energy business, and we found Dalkia's offering to be the most advantageous from a technical, financial and environmental perspective.
Specifically, the PPP protects us against any technical or financial uncertainties and, thanks to clearly defined responsibilities and precise contractual obligations, enables us to stay at the forefront of innovation, with facilities that are always well maintained and operated at peak efficiency. A high degree of prudence and research is necessary when the Company that will be operating the facility for twenty years is asked to design it as well! It was also essential that we work with a coherent, unified, capable group of partners able to cooperate effectively with the hospital's construction teams and - most important of all - instil confidence."
Adds Patrice Lalumia, the hospital's managing engineer for the project, "Our energy unit is part of our commitment to sustainable development: biomass will fulfil 80% of our energy needs, and thermal solar power will generate hot water for our laundry facilities. Photovoltaic panels will provide electricity as well."
Extract from the annual report 2007.
