Technologies:
There are various renewable energy technologies available for heating a natural swimming pool and running the electric pumps. In the winter or when the pool is not inh use the renewable energy systems can be diverted to feed household energy needs for helting and light. Clear water revival can provide expert advice and cost analysis of the following systems:
Heat Pumps
As the term "pump" implies, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another. Working rather like a fridge in reverse, one unit of electricity is converted into 3 or 4 units of heat by compressing large volume of fluid with a small amount of heat into a smaller volume of fluid with a large amount of heat.
Heat pumps can take energy from the ground or the air. For ground source heat pumps either a bore hole or a slinky are laid in the ground. Using a compressor in the heat pump, the temperature of the liquid is raised and the heat is transferred to the swimmimg pool . This thermal energy can also be used to heat a nearby dwelling in the winter months.
Typical operation costs:
- 50% LESS to operate than NATURAL GAS POOL HEATERS!
- 80% LESS to operate than PROPANE (LP) GAS POOL HEATERS!
- 75% LESS to operate than ELECTRIC RESISTANCE POOL HEATERS!
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal collectors collect heat from the sun's radiation. The heat transfer system uses the collected heat to heat the water in the swimming pool. Carbon dioxide emissions using solar thermal systems are reduced by up to one tonne per year and provide a cost effective method of pool heating. There are two main types of solar thermal collector; flat plate or evacuated tube. Evacuated tube systems are generally twice as efficient as flat plate collectors, therefore only half the number is required, however typically they are often twice as expensive.
The typical installation cost for a domestic flat plate collector system is £3,000 - £5,000. Evacuated tube systems will cost £6,000 - £9,000 depending on the size of the pool.
Wind Power
Wind power can be used for direct water pumping and for electricity generation to run electric water pumps. A typical wind turbine capable of running the pumps for a natural swimming pool would be in the region of 2m in diameter. When the pumps are off the turbine can be used to generate energy for a nearby house, further reducing electricity bills. Systems up to 1kW will cost around £3000 whereas larger systems in the region of 1.5kW to 6kW would cost between £4,000 - £18,000 installed.
Biomass
Biomass is a carbon neutral method of heating. When wood grows it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, then when it is burnt the carbon dioxide is released, however this results in no net carbon emissions. Biomass is one of the most cost effective methods of pool heating. The two main types of biomass heating are wood chips and wood pellets.
Where available willow coppice grown on site and turned into wood chips for pool heating, resulting in a virtually free and clean fuel. Wood pellets are made from compressed wood and have a higher energy density than wood chips, however they are around twice the price.
Biomass boilers are totally automated, much like an oil boiler, the fuel (chips or pellets), are automatically fed into the boiler chamber. Clear Water Revival can size a boiler suitable for pool heating, and during the winter months the biomass boiler can be used to provide heat to the house.
Solar Electric
Solar electric panels can be used to run the pool pumps. Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert solar radiation into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. Solar electric systems are suitable for providing electricity to water pumps but not for water heating. A solar electric system for water pumping would cost in the region of £2000.
