Renewable Energy Agency highlights significance of heat pumps at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre’s renewable energy powered low emissions technology has been praised by the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Including a pool, gym, sauna, yoga and Pilates classes, the newly opened $60 million facility at Keilor Downs on Melbourne’s western fridge is Australia’s first all-electric, renewable energy aquatic centre, designed to minimise emissions.

With aquatic and recreation centres among the most emissions intensive buildings owned by local governments in Australia, the project is expected to provide insights into the building and operation of centres that are 100% powered by renewable energy.

As explained by ARENA “gas boilers heat huge volumes of water for pools and showers. Meanwhile, heating and cooling large indoor spaces also require a lot of energy.

So, from the very start, sustainability has been at the heart of the new centre’s design.

A 500kw rooftop solar system powers the site and state-of-the-art insulation helps maintain the temperature inside.”

However, what really makes the centre cutting-edge is the four-pipe heat pump system.

What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps use electricity to move thermal energy from one place to another, heating or cooling spaces as required. Using similar technology to household refrigerators or air conditioners, they can displace conventional, fossil fuel-powered heating or cooling systems.

The sophisticated heat pump system at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre (BAWC)is capable of providing simultaneous heat and cooling. This system, which includes water-to-water heat recovery for maximum energy efficiency, provides heating and cooling for the centre and regulates the temperature of both water and air.

The heat pump uses renewable energy from the onsite solar system. An 88,000 litre hot water storage unit acts like a thermal battery as a back up.

In redeveloping the former St Albans Leisure Centre, Brimbank City Council received an $1.5 million grant from ARENA with the aim is to provide a blueprint for councils across Australia.

ARENA Knowledge Sharing Officer Dr Lisa Randone described the centre as the “first all-electric aquatic centre in Australia”, noting “the project will provide valuable insights on how to design, construct and operate a 100 per cent renewable energy powered aquatic and leisure centre.

“Other councils will be able to have access to a broad range of data including financial model, emission reduction and other performance metrics.

“I was pleased to see the community fully supportive of the initiative, with proud and loud acknowledgments of the sustainability side of the project.”

For more information on ARENA’s role in the transition to net zero emissions go to www.arena.gov.au

Images: The waterslide at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre (top, credit: Brimbank City Council) and the facility's splash pad (below, credit: Life Floor).