The Stoke Mandeville Hospital, with its internationally acclaimed spinal injuries unit, has selected YorPower to replace its ageing emergency generator.

The hospital, made famous by Sir Jimmy Savile’s tremendous fund raising efforts over many years, was recommended to use YorPower by their main electrical contractor for whom YorPower has previously supplied and installed generators. Stoke Mandeville Hospital is part of the Buckingham Healthcare Trust.

As with any facility providing critical care the need to ensure constant power is paramount, particularly where lifesaving operations are an everyday event. At Stoke Mandeville the task will involve the removal and decommissioning of a twenty year old 500kVA standby generator with associated underground fuel tank, control systems, exhaust and cooling systems.

The replacement backup power system will comprise a brand new, more fuel and power efficient, open frame YorPower 800kVA diesel generator, with 2 new bunded bulk fuel tanks with total capacity for 96 hours running (should mains fail) which include bund alarms for fuel leak detection and lockable non return valves for added safety. New attenuation and louvres, designed and specified by YorPower will also form part of the installation together with refurbishment of the plant room which will ensure the system equipment operates in optimum environmental conditions.

A new synchronised control system will ensure that any excess capacity generated can be exported to the mains grid in a controlled way for which the hospital will gain financially. The final part of the installation will involve the supply, erection and installation of a 450mm diameter exhaust flue which will reach a total height of 14 meters.

The entire job will be completed out of operating hours over one weekend to ensure that the hospital’s lifesaving work will continue unhindered.