For a modern hospital like Clinique Saint‑Jean in Brussels, a reliable and efficient power supply is the lifeblood of daily operations. Beyond technical performance, long‑term availability and system transparency are essential.
Clinique Saint‑Jean is a 44,215 m² hospital complex located in the heart of Brussels. Its existing power supply dated back to 2004 and no longer met current continuity standards. “There were several power grids with no central, let alone central management. We needed far more transparency” explains Ivo Coltura, Project Engineer at Clinique Saint‑Jean.
Cegelec, SDM‑Projects, and Siemens joined forces to deliver a power supply solution that exceeds today’s hospital requirements.
In a hospital environment, even the smallest power interruption can have serious consequences, so the new system had to be robust and truly intelligent. Siemens selected SIVACON S4 power distribution boards and SENTRON 3WA circuit breakers to ensure continuous, automated monitoring of the power supply.
The data generated by these components is integrated into Desigo CC, enabling full visibility and early detection of potential issues.
"Because we now have a comprehensive performance overview at all times, we can also perform preventive maintenance. This enhances safety even further."
Siemens Solution Partner SDM‑Projects was responsible for the design, engineering, and installation of the system. Given the critical hospital environment, installation had to be fast and right the first time. To achieve this, the team used a digital twin to virtually validate the entire installation in advance. Extended power shutdowns were not an option, and fault detection during live operation is restricted for safety reasons. Virtual validation allowed every conceivable issue to be identified before installation began.
“The control panels and distribution boards were designed using the digital twin. As a result, they integrate into the physical space instantly and seamlessly.”
SDM‑Projects took the approach even further by connecting the real switchgear to virtual power sources after validation. Live switching actions and feedback were transmitted directly to the digital twin, providing absolute certainty that the system was error‑free.
The results were remarkable. Installation was completed ten times faster than usual, with no adjustments required on site. All components were fully compatible from the start.
“We’re currently investigating the possibility of integrating our heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system into the automation system. Overall control through Desigo CC will deliver significant energy savings.”
The new installation delivers more than Clinique Saint‑Jean initially required, and faster than expected. It is fully future‑proof and ready to support further expansion. Next steps include integrating heating, ventilation, and air‑conditioning systems into Desigo CC, enabling overall building control and significant energy savings.
In the future, Clinique Saint-Jean will also be able to integrate additional energy sources into the system, such as photovoltaic panels or CHP, so they can supply energy intelligently. In the event of a grid failure, the clinic will form its own energy island. This will enable them to move from emergency operation to comfortable emergency operation, allowing them to continue to power non-vital assets as well.
Clinique Saint-Jean can even ensure greater grid stability by supplying additional power to the grid operator, or by drawing more if there is too much power on the grid. This is the power of a smart, resilient hospital infrastructure.
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