Solar Heating for GESAC?

Many in our community have queried whether the new Sports and Aquatic Centre will have incorporated environmentally responsible design. In that regard the architects have designed the building to ensure that it is environmentally friendly.

Solar assisted hot water for showers has been included however pool heating has not.

Council investigated the possibility of solar assisted pool heating but ultimately it was considered inefficient and not cost effective. The incorporation of solar water heating would involve a high capital cost, detrimental increases in energy use to operate the system and fewer benefits. The Director of Assets and Facilities, Mr P Waite has pointed out that "the above conclusion is consistent with the approach taken on the newly constructed Cranbourne RACE which also does not provide pool heating via solar energy"

Council considered 3 types of solar heating:

• 
  
  Tube Mat System - This is inefficent but low cost. These systems must use electricity to operate and are ideally used for domestic pools and municipal outdoor pools where only a small increase in temperature is required and the additional electricity cost is justified.


• 
  
  Flat Plate Systems - These are mainly used for domestic applications in non-corrosive environments. Thet are certainly more efficient that Tube Mat Systems but due to the bature of pool water are inappropriate for use ina public pool.


• 
  
  Evacuated Tube Systems - These are most efficient but particularly expensive. This type of system would cost approximately $360,000 to provide some heating to the outdoor 50m pool. Mr Waite has said that it is debatable whether there would be an actual "payback period" as typically these systems need replacing before there is return oninvestment.

In considering the issue of sustainability the focus has been on obtaining the best value for the limited budget.

Rather than going for feel good options Council has concentrated on outcomes that will deliver environmentally appropriate outcomes. These involve:

1. 
   
   Reducing the use of potable water by harvesting storm water, treating grey water for toilet flushing and irrigation and retaining and treating pool backwash water for irrigation;


2. 
   
   Conserving energy and reducing our carbon footprint through use of a heat transfer system between air conditioning exhaust and air supply ducts, solar assisted hot water for showers and basins, daylight sensors and special glazing for effective control of light, motorised baffles to western glazing, energy efficient ducted heating and cooling systems with natural bypass systems to minimise energy consumption when outside air temerature permits and an integrated Building Management System that effectively and continually monitors and controls plant and equipment.

The Community should be assured that Council was very much concerned to ensure that GESAC be built environmentally sustainable. Issues of sustainability are an ongoing issue and certainly as there are new developments they will be considered. As against this Council must also be financially responsible so where there are systems that are inefficient and expensive Council will continue to be prudent.