Member News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2009
Sherman Hospital Receives Award for Geothermal Lake Project
Sherman Hospital recently received a ,000 award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its geothermal lake project at the new Sherman Hospital campus in Elgin. DOE supports organizations, like Sherman, who promote America's energy security through reliable, clean, and affordable energy.
"Sherman Health is honored to receive this award from the U.S. Department of Energy," said Rick Floyd, President and CEO, Sherman Health. "Our lake is environmentally sound and we look forward to supporting green energy initiatives in our community and throughout the country."
Sherman Hospital's 15-acre geothermal lake is the only geothermal lake in Illinois and one of only two lakes currently cooling and heating medical centers in the U.S. The lake will be the main energy source for the new Sherman Hospital, and will provide heating and cooling to facility. In addition to saving an estimated million per year in energy costs, the lake is safe and the energy produced is a renewable resource that does not create greenhouse gases or pollution.
For more information, please contact Michelle Howe, Marketing Specialist, Sherman Health, 847-429-8427, michelle.howe@shermanhospital.org. To make a gift to Sherman Hospital, please visit www.shermanhealthfoundation.com.
How a Geothermal Lake Works
At Sherman, there are 171 geothermal grids, 185 miles of 2" pipe and
approximately 822 heat pumps, which together create the geothermal system. A
geothermal lake maximizes the earth's constant 55-degree temperature. Lakes or
other water sources work well for installation of the polypropylene pipes,
because despite the water temperature, the water itself is very conductive for
the energy. Sinking the pipes deep into the water, which for the Sherman lake is
18 feet below the surface, is key to maintaining the building temperature.
About Sherman Health
Sherman Health is a not-for-profit, community-governed healthcare system
dedicated to providing residents of Chicago's northwest suburbs with outstanding
healthcare and service- every life, every moment, every day. Located in Elgin,
Ill., Sherman Hospital was the first community hospital in Illinois to perform
open-heart surgery and continues to lead the way in cardiac care for the region.
Other hospital services include emergency care, a diabetes center, cancer care,
orthopedic care and a birthing center with a neonatal intensive care nursery.
Sherman also provides convenient, quality healthcare services at Sherman Family
HealthCare immediate care centers in Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Elgin, and South
Elgin. For more information on Sherman Health locations and services, please
visit www.ShermanHealth.com or call 800-397-9000.
The Future of Sherman
Construction is currently underway for a new Sherman Hospital at Randall and Big
Timber roads in Elgin. Sherman broke ground on the 255-bed facility, with all
private rooms, in June 2006 and will open on December 15, 2009. To learn more
about the new hospital, plans for the current hospital and to watch our
progress, please visit www.TheFutureOfSherman.com.
