Closed Grevena Swimming Pool. A modern ΄΄green΄΄ swimming pool

Closed Grevena Swimming Pool. A modern ΄΄ green΄΄ swimming pool.  Unfortunately, due to the energy crisis, several municipalities are suspending the operation of swimming pools or under-operating them. https://www.kathimerini.gr/athletics/562059487/o-athlitismos-ekpempei-sos-logo-energeias/ https://www.theopinion.gr/reportaz/i-energeiaki-krisi-kleinei-to-kolymvitirio-stis-sykies-ti-tha-ginei-me-ta-gymnasticria/ Almost all swimming pools are designed with outdated methods of the 80s and 90s, relying exclusively on the use of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas) to cover their thermal needs. In general, swimming pools are very special buildings and need special attention both during the design phase and during the construction phase. There are two factors for which special care should be taken, so that each swimming pool is financially viable (limiting operating costs) but also limiting its maintenance costs due to the highly corrosive environment that prevails inside it. In principle, they are the most energy-intensive buildings because their thermal needs are not limited only to heating the spaces, but also require huge amounts of thermal energy to maintain the temperature of the swimming pools. Another factor is the existence of a large percentage of humidity. The moisture that comes from the evaporation of the water in the swimming pools causes enormous damage to both the mechanical equipment and the structural elements of the building, so it is imperative to install a dehumidification-ventilation system. The process of dehumidification, where it is applied, is also very energy-intensive since it requires first cooling energy to remove the moisture and then thermal energy to reheat the air. That is, with conventional methods, the simultaneous operation of the cooler and boiler is required throughout the operation of the swimming pool. As part of the energy upgrade project of the Grevena Indoor Swimming Pool, using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative methods with an emphasis on saving and the use of RES, drastically reducing its environmental footprint, the aim is to transform it into a modern “green” swimming pool Specifically : This is a pioneering project and perhaps the only one in Greece, as it combines five (5) different sources of energy! 1. Geothermal 580 Kw (protagonist) 2. Solar field consisting of thermal collectors with a total surface of 350 m2 3. Recovery of the rejected thermal energy during dehumidification by the Central Energy Dehumidification Units 4. Natural gas boilers 5. Recovery of the rejected thermal energy from the geothermal heat pump during cooling. For dehumidification, instead of using energy-consuming conventional methods, Central Energy Dehumidification Units were installed. In essence, these are Central Air Conditioning Units equipped with a heat pump. Thus, with the evaporator of the heat pump, dehumidification takes place and with the condenser, the air is reheated. Fully automated unit that continuously controls the humidity and temperature of the indoor air with the aim of achieving the desired humidity percentage and at the same time the maximum degree of efficiency. The electrical consumption of such a unit is minimal as the electrical work the machine is required to do is the transfer of heat from one element (coolant) to another (reheater). The excess thermal energy resulting from the dehumidification process returns to heat the swimming pools. This is the first swimming pool to have such a modern dehumidification system, thus ensuring the quality of the indoor air and the longevity of its facilities from the harmful effects of humidity. A brilliant example of full exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources but also full exploitation of discarded energy, thus showing the way and the way to build such energy-intensive structures.