The green energy systems that took Gundersen Health off the grid

The Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, Wisconsin had a mission: Go green or go home.

Millions later, Gundersen has been able to offset its entire fossil fuel footprint with a host of environmentally friendly systems including dairy digesters, wind turbines, landfill programs and thermal heating systems.

[Read more: How Gundersen got off the grid]

Click through the following slideshow to see photos of the different systems the healthcare provider has set up.

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According to the hospital, "Gundersen's boilers were a high user of fossil fuels, consuming much of the natural gas used to create heat for their buildings. When it came time to refurbish or replace their aging boilers, Gundersen looked at all of their options and selected a biomass boiler.

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According to the hospital, "Gundersen's boilers were a high user of fossil fuels, consuming much of the natural gas used to create heat for their buildings. When it came time to refurbish or replace their aging boilers, Gundersen looked at all of their options and selected a biomass boiler.

About this gallery.

According to the hospital, "Gundersen's boilers were a high user of fossil fuels, consuming much of the natural gas used to create heat for their buildings. When it came time to refurbish or replace their aging boilers, Gundersen looked at all of their options and selected a biomass boiler.

About this gallery.

According to the hospital, "Gundersen's boilers were a high user of fossil fuels, consuming much of the natural gas used to create heat for their buildings. When it came time to refurbish or replace their aging boilers, Gundersen looked at all of their options and selected a biomass boiler.

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Gundersen Health System said it partnered with Organic Valley "on a two-turbine wind farm that is expected to generate nearly 5 megawatts of energy - enough electricity to power 1,000 homes each year."

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Gundersen Health System said it partnered with Organic Valley "on a two-turbine wind farm that is expected to generate nearly 5 megawatts of energy - enough electricity to power 1,000 homes each year."

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Gundersen Health System said it partnered with Organic Valley "on a two-turbine wind farm that is expected to generate nearly 5 megawatts of energy - enough electricity to power 1,000 homes each year."

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Gundersen Health System said it partnered with Organic Valley "on a two-turbine wind farm that is expected to generate nearly 5 megawatts of energy - enough electricity to power 1,000 homes each year."

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"Gundersen installed a 300-ton heat pump along with 156 wells buried about 400 feet underneath a parking lot. At that depth, the ground is at a relatively constant temperature of roughly 48 degrees, providing an efficient heating and cooling source year-round," according to Gundersen.

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"Gundersen installed a 300-ton heat pump along with 156 wells buried about 400 feet underneath a parking lot. At that depth, the ground is at a relatively constant temperature of roughly 48 degrees, providing an efficient heating and cooling source year-round," according to Gundersen.

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"Waste degrades underground at the La Crosse County landfill. As it decomposes, it gives off about 300 cubic feet of gas a minute. More than half of that is methane," Gundersen said. "The methane is captured and piped to an engine installed on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus. The gas powers an engine and turns a generator that produces electricity and creates heat. The electricity is sent to the power grid and used by households and businesses throughout the community. The heat is used to heat buildings and water on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus."

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"Waste degrades underground at the La Crosse County landfill. As it decomposes, it gives off about 300 cubic feet of gas a minute. More than half of that is methane," Gundersen said. "The methane is captured and piped to an engine installed on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus. The gas powers an engine and turns a generator that produces electricity and creates heat. The electricity is sent to the power grid and used by households and businesses throughout the community. The heat is used to heat buildings and water on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus."

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"Waste degrades underground at the La Crosse County landfill. As it decomposes, it gives off about 300 cubic feet of gas a minute. More than half of that is methane," Gundersen said. "The methane is captured and piped to an engine installed on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus. The gas powers an engine and turns a generator that produces electricity and creates heat. The electricity is sent to the power grid and used by households and businesses throughout the community. The heat is used to heat buildings and water on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus."

About this gallery.

"Waste degrades underground at the La Crosse County landfill. As it decomposes, it gives off about 300 cubic feet of gas a minute. More than half of that is methane," Gundersen said. "The methane is captured and piped to an engine installed on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus. The gas powers an engine and turns a generator that produces electricity and creates heat. The electricity is sent to the power grid and used by households and businesses throughout the community. The heat is used to heat buildings and water on the Gundersen Onalaska Campus."

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The two wind turbines on this Lewiston, Minnesota wind farm will generate 4.95 megawatts of energy, Gundersen said.

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The two wind turbines on this Lewiston, Minnesota wind farm will generate 4.95 megawatts of energy, Gundersen said.

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The two wind turbines on this Lewiston, Minnesota wind farm will generate 4.95 megawatts of energy, Gundersen said.

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"Gundersen Health System and Dane County in Wisconsin are partnering with three farm families in Dane County on the GL Dairy Biogas Project," the health system said. The project offsets 14 percent of Gundersen's energy.

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"Gundersen Health System and Dane County in Wisconsin are partnering with three farm families in Dane County on the GL Dairy Biogas Project," the health system said. The project offsets 14 percent of Gundersen's energy.

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"Gundersen Health System and Dane County in Wisconsin are partnering with three farm families in Dane County on the GL Dairy Biogas Project," the health system said. The project offsets 14 percent of Gundersen's energy.

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"Gundersen Health System and Dane County in Wisconsin are partnering with three farm families in Dane County on the GL Dairy Biogas Project," the health system said. The project offsets 14 percent of Gundersen's energy.

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"Gundersen Health System and Dane County in Wisconsin are partnering with three farm families in Dane County on the GL Dairy Biogas Project," the health system said. The project offsets 14 percent of Gundersen's energy.

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"It is estimated the new system will produce 50 percent or more of the total annual hot water consumed in the building," Gundersen said. "The solar thermal water heating system will help extend the life of the current hot water heater equipment, reduce energy consumption and support lowering the cost of care."

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"It is estimated the new system will produce 50 percent or more of the total annual hot water consumed in the building," Gundersen said. "The solar thermal water heating system will help extend the life of the current hot water heater equipment, reduce energy consumption and support lowering the cost of care."

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"It is estimated the new system will produce 50 percent or more of the total annual hot water consumed in the building," Gundersen said. "The solar thermal water heating system will help extend the life of the current hot water heater equipment, reduce energy consumption and support lowering the cost of care."

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The dairy digester is the second one for Gundersen.

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The dairy digester is the second one for Gundersen.

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The dairy digester is the second one for Gundersen.

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The dairy digester is the second one for Gundersen.

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