Targeted investment, wide-ranging benefits
Schwarzwaldklinik in Bad Krozingen was able to sustainably modernise its energy infrastructure with Siemens – with pay-as-you-save financing ensuring that the investments were calculated in line with the savings achieved and were therefore financially manageable.
The Schwarzwaldklinik rehabilitation centre in Bad Krozingen is committed to providing optimal conditions for therapeutic care and improving the treatment environment for patients. Its spacious, attractive premises contribute to this environment, but also entail high energy demand, particularly for heating, hot water and ventilation. The clinic management therefore faced the challenge of modernising the existing energy infrastructure to meet both statutory requirements (EWärmeG) and the objectives of its own sustainability strategy. Naturally, this also meant taking into account the tight investment budgets and options typical of the healthcare sector.
To achieve these goals, improvements in energy efficiency needed to go hand in hand with a substantial reduction in energy costs and greater independence from external energy suppliers.
A comprehensive overhaul of the energy infrastructure
The solution developed and implemented by Siemens Smart Infrastructure combines a complete modernisation of the energy infrastructure with intelligent building and energy management and a decentralised energy supply. The physical upgrades included refurbishing the heating centres, optimising heat generation and distribution – including boiler replacement and hydraulic optimisation of the heating circuits – and upgrading the ventilation systems.
Siemens also installed two combined heat and power units, two photovoltaic systems and a local heating network, among other measures. An intelligent building and energy management system was implemented to monitor and continuously optimise energy demand. By monitoring all energy flows in real time, the system provides transparency and control, enabling data-driven decisions as well as ongoing optimisation and further additions, such as heat pumps, battery storage or charging infrastructure.
Costs covered by realised savings
All measures were implemented in three construction phases between 2019 and 2024. Despite the extensive work, the investment remained manageable for Schwarzwaldklinik, as most of the financing was provided through a pay-as-you-save model. This means that Siemens initially covers the costs of modernisation and new installations, which are subsequently paid for through the savings actually achieved. And those savings are substantial: annual energy consumption has fallen by 1.4 GWh. Together with the use of self-generated electricity, this saves the clinic around €625,000 in operating costs each year. The investments therefore pay for themselves quickly, while the pay-as-you-save model meant that the clinic did not have to tie up its own capital.
It is no surprise that Prof. Dr Jörg-Rüdiger Blau, Administrative Director and Managing Director of Schwarzwaldklinik Bad Krozingen, is pleased with the results:
Thanks to Siemens’ integrated energy solution, we have been able to sustainably modernise our energy infrastructure, significantly reduce our operating costs and, at the same time, increase our security of supply and independence from the energy market.
Schwarzwaldklinik Bad Krozingen KG
The combination of four clinics and the staff’s many years of expertise makes Schwarzwaldklinik a centre delivering rehabilitation to the highest standards. The broad range of indications enables more than 500 patients to receive holistic treatment in cardiology, orthopaedics, neurology and geriatrics through multidisciplinary therapies.