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Swimming Towards Sustainability: How to Reduce Energy Costs in Large Pools and Aquatic Centres

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Large Pools and Aquatic Centres around Australia are hubs for recreation and wellness, but they often present Operators with substantial energy challenges. These facilities are among the highest energy-consuming assets for local governments, hotels, private schools, gyms, and Universities, with high gas and electricity use. As a result they are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, which must be addressed if Net Zero emissions are to be achieved. However, addressing these challenges and transforming pools into models of low-carbon, energy efficient recreation is now a reality, thanks to the adoption of energy-efficient heat pumps, and some financial support.

Energy Challenges in Aquatic Centres and Pools:

Aquatic centres are energy-intensive facilities, demanding gas and electricity for a range of vital services:

  1. Water heating: Large volumes of water must be heated for the pools, air conditioning systems and showers to ensure the comfort of visitors.
  2. Indoor Climate Control: Maintaining a comfortable temperature and humidity in indoor areas necessitates heating and cooling systems.
  3. Filtration and Circulation: Pool filtration pumps are critical to ensure water quality and safety.
  4. Illumination: Indoor and outdoor lighting is essential for safety and functionality.
  5. Electrical Appliances: Various electrical appliances and equipment are in use for gyms, fitness rooms, administration and other areas.

Whilst many pools use gas for heating, the low water temperature needs, strong policy drivers to ‘get off gas’, Government grants, Environmental Certificate Schemes, and greater availability of heat pumps in the industry make them a great candidate for electrification.

Efficient Heat Pumps as a Solution:

To tackle these energy challenges, aquatic centres can transition from conventional heating systems to energy-efficient heat pumps. Installation of electric Heat Pumps, supported by contracts for purchase of Renewable Electricity, offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution:

  1. Reduced Emissions: Heat pumps align with emission reduction targets by reducing reliance on gas-based heating, and become powered by an increasingly renewable grid.
  2. Renewable Integration: Aquatic centres can leverage on-site renewable energy, like solar PVSolar Photovoltaic panels, to power heat pumps, further reducing their carbon footprint.
  3. Enhanced Efficiency: Heat pumps for low-temperature water heating are highly energy efficient, delivering heating and cooling while minimizing electricity consumption, leading to long-term cost savings.

Financing the upgrade

Whilst heat pumps are a great solution, they are not without challenges. The three big challenges are

Fortunately there are mechanisms to help with the finance which include:

Next Steps

What is your next step and how can we help?

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What is the main energy-saving solution recommended for large pools and aquatic centres?

Northmore Gordon recommends transitioning from conventional gas-based heating systems to energy-efficient electric heat pumps. Heat pumps offer reduced emissions, can be paired with on-site renewable energy like solar PV, and deliver highly efficient low-temperature water heating, resulting in long-term cost savings.

Why are aquatic centres considered a major energy challenge for operators?

Aquatic centres are among the highest energy-consuming assets for local governments, hotels, private schools, gyms, and universities, requiring significant gas and electricity for water heating, indoor climate control, filtration and circulation, lighting, and electrical appliances. This makes them a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions that must be addressed to achieve Net Zero targets.

What financial support mechanisms are available to help aquatic centres upgrade to heat pumps?

Several mechanisms can help finance the upgrade: the Australian Government's Community Upgrade Fund grant for local government-operated aquatic centres, Environmental Certificates (ESCs or VEECs) for facilities in Victoria or NSW, and a Feasibility Study Grant for private sector SMEs with less than 200 employees.

What are the main challenges operators face when implementing heat pumps in aquatic centres?

The three big challenges to implementing heat pumps are power supply capacity, space constraints, and finance for the heat pump itself and any related facility upgrades.

Why are heat pumps considered a good candidate for electrifying pool heating?

Heat pumps are well suited to pool electrification because of pools' relatively low water temperature needs, strong policy drivers to move away from gas, availability of Government grants, Environmental Certificate Schemes, and the growing availability of heat pumps in the industry.

What energy-consuming services do aquatic centres typically require?

According to the article, aquatic centres require energy for five main services: water heating for pools, air conditioning, and showers; indoor climate control (heating and cooling for comfortable temperature and humidity); filtration and circulation via pool filtration pumps; indoor and outdoor lighting for safety and functionality; and electrical appliances used in gyms, fitness rooms, administration, and other areas.

How can heat pumps help reduce an aquatic centre's carbon footprint beyond just switching from gas?

Beyond reducing reliance on gas-based heating, aquatic centres can further reduce their carbon footprint by leveraging on-site renewable energy, such as solar PV panels, to power the heat pumps, and by benefiting from an increasingly renewable electricity grid.

What next steps does Northmore Gordon suggest for aquatic centre operators looking to reduce energy costs?

Northmore Gordon suggests operators consider registering a project for Energy Efficiency Certificates in NSW or Victoria, applying for a Government Grant, conducting an Energy Audit of their facility, or undertaking a Feasibility Study.

Who wrote this article about reducing energy costs in aquatic centres, and what is their background?

The article was written by Northmore Gordon and authored under the profile of Craig, a mechanical engineer with 30 years' experience, including more than fifteen years assisting organisations manage energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of climate change, with seven years focused on energy management and greenhouse gas inventory development and six years on renewable energy generation systems.

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