Challenge
Healthcare facilities like the Bruderwald Clinic in Bamberg, Germany, depend on high-performance HVAC systems not only for comfort, but also for patient safety, especially in critical environments like operating rooms and medical equipment areas. As a top-tier hospital treating severe and rare diseases, Bruderwald Clinic faced the need to expand its cooling capacity to 1400 kW in 2023 to reliably maintain stable temperatures throughout surgeries and patient rooms and to protect sensitive medical technologies.
The challenge was not just to meet the required cooling demand, but to do so with maximum energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
In addition, the physical constraints of the building meant the chillers had to be installed on the roof with a helicopter, requiring a precisely planned delivery and installation.
Solution
Trane delivered and installed three Sintesis Excellent GVAF chillers, each equipped with advanced oil-free turbo compressors for optimal performance. These chillers use the refrigerant R1234ze, which has an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP < 1), directly addressing energy efficiency and sustainability requirements. To overcome the building’s space and installation limitations, the total cooling load was divided across three units, facilitating delivery and installation.
Trane coordinated with partners to airlift the units to the rooftop using a specialized helicopter—demonstrating both technical prowess and collaborative agility.
Results
With Trane’s solution in place, Bruderwald Clinic enjoys highly reliable temperature control where it matters most: in patient care and sensitive medical operations. The installed GVAF chillers ensure stable, energy-efficient cooling with minimal environmental impact, thanks to the low-GWP refrigerant.
By splitting the capacity among three high-performance chillers, the hospital gains a scalable and resilient system, while the planet benefits from reduced carbon footprint. The success of this project was possible through the smooth cooperation of all involved partners, reaffirming Trane’s commitment to excellence and sustainability in healthcare.
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