Researchers Younes Benakcha, Matthieu Labat, Ion Hazyuk, and Stéphane Ginestet from the University of Toulouse in France have published a study in the International Journal of Refrigeration that delves into the energy consumption of indoor swimming pools and potential strategies to reduce it.
Indoor swimming pools (ISPs) are significant energy consumers, requiring substantial amounts of electrical and thermal energy to heat water and air, ventilate, and maintain humidity levels. For large installations like Olympic-sized pools, this energy consumption is measured in gigawatt-hours per year. The researchers initially approached this problem using a steady-state phenomenological model based on a real case study. They aimed to identify key phenomena and sensitive constraints, particularly those related to water and air quality management. The study found that evaporation is a critical factor, with water temperature and indoor dew point temperature acting as its precursors.
The researchers then tested two strategies to reduce energy consumption for water heating. The first strategy involved implementing a night setback, where the pool temperature is lowered overnight, combined with a precise restart time in the morning. This approach yielded a maximum energy savings of 4%. The second strategy focused on enhancing the energy recovery of thermal solar panels by allowing the pool water to overheat slightly. The pool’s large volume acts as an effective energy storage system, with estimated energy savings of up to 17% for a 1°C overheating. This strategy is considered viable due to its simplicity, although the researchers note that the impact of water overheating on the energy consumption of air handling units (AHUs) still needs to be analyzed and managed.
These findings provide practical applications for the energy sector, particularly for facilities managing indoor swimming pools. By implementing these strategies, energy consumption can be reduced, leading to cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint. The study highlights the importance of understanding key phenomena and constraints in energy-intensive facilities and the potential for simple yet effective strategies to improve energy efficiency.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.