Councils fail to maximise net zero emissions with their aquatic assets

As local governments look to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Michael Cook, Principal at Hunt Architects, has highlighted how aquatic assets present a substantial and immediate challenge.

Suggesting that councils could be missing a trick by focusing on plant upgrades alone, Cook suggests “swapping end-of-life or inefficient plant for modern technologies is only half the opportunity.

“Poorly performing building envelopes represent a ready issue to be addressed, with refurbishment offering compounding benefits when combined with plant upgrades.”

Modelling shows energy savings in excess of 55% are achievable with a high-performance building envelope compared to a typical aquatic centre.

Insulation, glazing, airtightness and the prevention of thermal bridging can all help bring council-owned aquatic assets closer to net zero.

However, much of the recent focus has been on plant upgrades alone and the switch to all-electric systems compatible with renewable energy sources. This has been driven in part by the availability of grants, rebates and innovative capital deferring options.

Cook points out “most councils are currently fixated on the shocking energy bills and early failures of mechanical plant. As a result, there is a still a lot of confusion and anxiety in councils about how best to proceed

“But reaching for net zero is not simply about the systems and technology and a like-for-like swap in terms of plant capacity. It’s also about driving efficiencies in the use of energy so that demand is reduced.

“Get the passive, set-and-forget elements right in terms of the building envelope and you can drive down capital expenditure simply by reducing the size of the plant required.

“And with lower operating costs, a centre can draw closer to budget neutrality, returning funds for programs and stabilising entry costs, or simply lowering council overheads.”

Operating 24/7, with high internal operating temperatures (relative to ambient air) and high chemical content, council-owned aquatic assets have disproportionately high carbon footprints.

Glazing typically releases its heat eight to nine times faster than an adjacent wall, while skylights release a staggering 17 times more energy than the adjacent roof. Even a typical insulated wall consumes over 30% more energy to keep warm than a high-performance wall.

A 2019 study by Dr Jean Jonathan Duverge of the Northern Environmental Design Pty Ltd (Energy performance and water usage of aquatic centre, RMIT Dissertation: Abstract) benchmarked “the energy consumption of aquatic centres ranged between 648 kWh/m2 and 2,283 kWh/m2”.

This means some centres are using 3.5 times more energy for every metre of floor space compared to their more energy-efficient counterparts.

For those centres facing a bigger net zero challenge, it’s especially good news that the benefits of plant upgrades can be multiplied when combined with general refurbishments.

Cook points out that retrofit approach can also bring significant health and wellbeing benefits for staff and patrons, noting “these include upgraded air quality through improved circulation, temperature comfort and reduced odours.

“Most retrofit options can be undertaken while the centre is operating and most result in a set-and-forget or low-maintenance outcome. Air quality and condensation issues are also improved.

“With the drive for net zero, it’s well worth councils sitting down with an aquatic centre design specialist who can assess the specific needs and challenges, recommend tailored solutions and model the savings, advise on the grants and rebates available in each state, and look after the refurbishment project from start to finish.”

An architect with 15 years’ experience in aquatic building design, Cook is a specialist industry guest tutor at the University of Melbourne Studio 21, working with students studying a zero-carbon aquatic centre.

He recently led the delivery of Fit2Swim in Maroubra, NSW, which costs no more than $100 week to run before implementing solar. With energy costs lower than most modern homes, the new Sydney swim school is outperforming even the best-practice benchmark by about 8 times at 78 vs 648 kWh/m2/annum.

Fit2Swim is a prototype for Hunt Architects’ leading-edge work with other Australian aquatic centres.

Hunt Architects is a specialist in aquatic centre design and refurbishment, offering cutting-edge innovations and retrofit solutions.

Reference: Jean Jonathan Duverge, Energy performance and water usage of aquatic centre RMIT Dissertation (2019) Abstract

Images: Hunt Architects' aquatic facility concept designs (top and middle) and Michael Cook (below). Credit: Hunt Architects..