Aquatic Centers

Project Description

Aquatic centers, encompassing seasonal outdoor splash pads and year-round swimming pools, serve as popular destinations for a variety of aquatic activities, including lap swimming, recreation, and water slides. However, the high demand for these facilities leads to increased energy consumption, resulting in significant operational expenses and elevated carbon emissions. Acknowledging these challenges, Arnowa aims to partner with aquatic centers to implement sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency across operations.

Project Summary

Arnowa has engaged with aquatic centers in Gosnells, Wanneroo, Town of Victoria Park, and Armadale to assess their current energy usage and identify potential improvements. The primary objective is to develop strategies that enhance energy efficiency and resource management. By integrating smart technologies and optimized operations, Arnowa aims to assist these centers in achieving lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Challenges

• Effective Resource Management: Ensuring the efficient use of energy and water resources is vital for aquatic centers, which experience high usage levels throughout the day.
• Asset and Building Health Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the infrastructure is essential to maintain its condition and prevent deterioration, especially given the age of some facilities.
• Visitor Comfort and Safety: Balancing the need for efficient resource management with the comfort and safety of visitors presents a unique challenge.
• Efficient Energy Usage: Implementing systems that optimize energy consumption while sustaining operational efficiency and member satisfaction is crucial.

Objective

The objective is to provide a reliable and integrated monitoring system that facilitates efficient management of resources, ultimately increasing the overall energy efficiency of the aquatic centers without compromising operational effectiveness or visitor experience.

Solutions

• HVAC Optimization: Replacing the outdated R22 refrigerant with natural ESE Engas can lead to energy savings between 25-38%, significantly reducing the facility’s carbon footprint.
• Geothermal Heat Pump Installation: Integrating a geothermal heat pump can dramatically lower gas and electricity consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, providing a sustainable heating and cooling solution.
• Smart Flow Metering: Implementing advanced flow metering technology can achieve up to 5% energy savings by optimizing pump operations and resource consumption, allowing for precise monitoring and control.
• Sub-Metering: Installing sub-meters offers detailed insights into energy consumption patterns and individual equipment performance, resulting in a potential 10-12% reduction in energy costs and aiding in informed decision-making.
• Thermal Roof Protection: The application of Thermoshield coating on metal roofs helps insulate the building, repelling radiant heat and reducing cooling costs, contributing to overall energy efficiency.
• Solar Panel Integration: Future plans include integrating solar panel technology, further enhancing sustainability efforts and achieving substantial cost savings.

Results

The implementation of Arnowa’s smart technology solutions is expected to yield significant improvements in operational efficiency across the aquatic centers. For instance, Gosnells Leisure World could save over $55,000 annually through reduced energy consumption and enhanced resource management. These initiatives not only lead to lower operational costs but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment, improving visitor experience and reducing the centers’ overall carbon emissions.

Location

• Aquatic centers in Gosnells, Wanneroo, Town of Victoria Park, and Armadale, WA

Challenge

• High energy consumption due to increased demand and operational hours
• Efficient resource management for energy and water
• Monitoring asset health to prevent facility deterioration
• Balancing visitor comfort and safety with sustainability efforts
• Reducing carbon emissions and operational costs

Metering Hardware

• Smart flow meters for pump optimization
• Sub-meters for detailed monitoring of energy usage
• Geothermal heat pump integration
• Thermal roof protection with Thermoshield coating
• Future integration of solar panels for further energy savings

Results

• Annual savings of over $55,000 at Gosnells Leisure World through energy efficiency improvements
• Reduction in carbon emissions and operational costs
• Improved visitor experience and sustainable operations across all centers