“Thanks to the close collaboration between SPIE Netherlands and ELINEX, this complex project was completed with the utmost precision and reliability, to the complete satisfaction of the end customer,” say Johan and Tim from SPIE Netherlands.
The hospital houses the core laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility where thousands of body fluids are analysed every day. The reliability of the power supply is literally a matter of life and death. A single power dip can mean that valuable analyses are lost. For this reason, the core laboratory was equipped with a completely new emergency power supply at the beginning of 2025.
The installed solution now guarantees an uninterrupted power supply, even in the event of a complete grid failure. In conversation with Johan and Tim from SPIE Netherlands and René from ELINEX, it quickly becomes clear that this installation is the result of top-notch teamwork and technology.
A matter of trust and expertise
The process began in 2024 with a request from engineering firm Drietech & Verhoef, which was looking for a reliable UPS solution for the core lab on behalf of the hospital. ‘A redundant system of 2x 150 kVA was chosen, which guarantees complete operational reliability,’ says René, Medical Account Manager at ELINEX. Two parties submitted bids, including SPIE Netherlands. Ultimately, the contract was awarded to SPIE, partly thanks to its proven experience with critical installations in the healthcare sector. René explains: ‘We have enjoyed working with SPIE for many years. That makes the process smooth. You know exactly what to expect from each other.’ The technical details were worked out in close consultation between the SPIE and ELINEX project teams. The chosen solution, in this case the Huawei 5000-E UPS series, not only offers top quality and energy efficiency, but also the possibility of future expansion to 2x 200 kVA. ‘This makes the system future-proof,’ adds Tim. ‘If the lab is expanded further in the future, there will be no need to purchase a new emergency power supply.’
Precision on the seventh floor
The UPS was installed on the seventh floor of the hospital, while the connected distribution cabinets are located three floors below. A conscious choice, says Johan, project manager at SPIE: "The technical floor is the most suitable place for this type of installation. From there, we supply the entire core laboratory and the transfusion laboratory on the fourth floor. Everything that happens there, from blood analysis to transfusion management, must continue at all times." The physical scale of the project should not be underestimated: the entire system on the seventh floor weighs over 15 tonnes. ‘We first had structural calculations made for this,’ says Johan. ‘Together with ELINEX, we developed the design so that everything fits perfectly within the technical and structural constraints.’ Transport and installation also required precise planning. The complete installation was supplied by ELINEX, including internal cabling, testing and commissioning. ELINEX project manager Jan-Dirk supervised the entire process on site. ‘He was our linchpin in the implementation from start to finish,’ says Johan. ‘From planning to delivery, he kept everything under tight control.’
Why emergency power literally saves lives
A laboratory such as the core lab operates continuously. A power failure can have disastrous consequences. René explains: ‘Without a UPS, a large number of analyses would be lost in the event of a voltage dip. Think of blood samples or critical body fluids that are no longer usable. Not only is this financially costly, but it can also have a direct impact on patient care.’ The new UPS ensures that the lab, including the vital tube mail system that transports samples throughout the hospital, continues to run smoothly during any power failure. ‘That tube mail system is a crucial link,’ emphasises Tim. ‘It connects the entire hospital to the lab. By also connecting that system to the UPS, the entire chain has become more reliable.’ The installation is also hot swappable: maintenance can be carried out without the lab going down. ‘Thanks to the external bypass, an entire UPS can be temporarily switched off while the other UPS takes over the load. Because everything is redundant, from the emergency power supply to the switch boxes, maintenance can be carried out while the shop remains open. Everything continues to run 24/7,’ says Rene.
Collaboration as the key to success
What characterises this achievement is the close collaboration between all parties involved. Both SPIE Netherlands and ELINEX emphasise that this project owes its success to mutual trust, in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and open communication. ‘SPIE Nederland and ELINEX have been working together for years,’ says Johan. ‘This relationship ensures that we understand each other technically and can fine-tune what is really needed together. You can see that in the end result.’ ELINEX shares this appreciation. ‘The best thing about this project,’ says René, ‘is that we really did it together. From the first drawings to the final test. And when you stand in that technical room and see what we have achieved, you just feel proud.’ Tim nods in agreement: ‘You can tell that everyone had the same goal: to provide security to a hospital that can never stand still. And you can feel that in everything.’ With the completion of this project, the hospital has not only gained a future-proof emergency power system, but the power of collaboration and craftsmanship has once again been proven. As Johan aptly sums it up: ‘It's top-notch technical work, but above all, it's proof of what can be achieved when knowledge and trust come together.’
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