Alpine Aqualand exceeds energy efficiency benchmark by 60%

Alpine Aqualand has proven itself to be an extremely energy efficient facility using only 60% as much energy as the The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) benchmark provided for aquatic centres. This in spite of being located in an alpine climate and having a relatively higher proportion of hot water, both of which increase energy demand.

Scott Roberts, Mechanical Engineer from LHT Design who designed Alpine Aqualand explained there are a number of design and operational reasons for this great performance.

” Whilst the energy footprint of the site is considered holistically, the most significant energy efficient features at Alpine Aqualand are in the HVAC plant design, which incorporate two types of heat recovery plant. This provides the base heating requirement for the site for a significant proportion of the year, minimising the requirement for boost heat from the boiler,” Scott said.

The most appropriate measure for energy use in an indoor pool complex is energy per square metre of pool water surface per annum, because the vast majority of heating energy of pools is due to evaporation, and evaporation is directly proportional to surface area.

The units are GJ/m2/annum and this is the defacto figure to provide comparison between facilities, and against an EECA benchmark. The EECA benchmark for total energy use in an indoor pool facility is 9.2 GJ/m2/annum. In the first 12 months of use Alpine Aqualand operated at 5.4 GJ/m2/annum, less than 60% of the benchmark.

Steve Richens, Aquatics Manager for Lakes Leisure said he was thrilled to hear the results.

“It’s great to know we can operate such a fantastic community facility to a very high standard, while minimising the ongoing costs to the ratepayer,” Steve said.

Alpine Aqualand was opened in May 2008 and attracted a total of 135,606 visitor through its doors in the last 2009/2010 financial year.