[2 MIN READ]
In this article:
-
Swedish is working with Creative Energy to work towards carbon negative status.
-
Health care systems are intensive consumers of energy.
-
Changes planned for the Swedish First Hill campus will eliminate about as much carbon dioxide as 1,800 cars per year.
Swedish Health Services is partnering with Creative Energy, a leading owner and operator of district energy systems in North America, to decarbonize energy use for its flagship campus, Swedish First Hill. This work supports the goal for Providence’s family of organizations, which includes Swedish, to become carbon negative by the end of this decade.
Swedish is one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare providers in the Northwest, with five hospitals, over 120 clinics and more than 12,000 employees.
“Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of each person we serve, and we believe that extends to how we respond to the climate crisis and its enormous toll on human health and the health of our planet,” said R. Guy Hudson, Swedish CEO. “As one of the region’s largest healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to be part of the climate solution.”
Globally, hospitals and health care systems are among the most intensive consumers of energy and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Swedish and Providence have mapped out an aggressive plan to become carbon negative. Swedish Issaquah was the first campus within the Swedish system to become carbon neutral for energy use in March of this year.
“Healthcare facilities have an enormous impact on our environment,” said Mike Denney, Swedish Chief Real Estate Officer. “Swedish will lead by example and demonstrate the ability to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and limit our greenhouse gas emissions.”
“We are extremely proud to partner with Creative Energy to implement innovative solutions that will allow us to reduce the amount of energy and water we use to heat and cool our hospitals,” Denney said. “We intend to eliminate nearly 9,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually at the Swedish First Hill campus alone, which is the equivalent of removing approximately 1,800 cars from the road each year.”
Through its partnership with Creative Energy, Swedish will modernize the infrastructure of the First Hill campus to reduce wasted energy by capturing excess heat, which can be used to heat its facilities without consuming additional energy. Thermal storage will also allow off-cycle cooling and improve Swedish’s ability to manage the temperatures in its facilities.
“We are proud to partner with Swedish to build a sustainable, carbon-negative and energy-efficient future for its largest hospital, right in the heart of Seattle,” said Krishnan Iyer, President & CEO of Creative Energy. “This initiative will put Swedish at the forefront among hospitals that are leading the charge toward energy efficiency and significantly reducing their environmental impact.”
Find a doctor
If you have questions about your health, contact the primary care department at Swedish. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
