Escalation of global temperature by two degrees, a potential catastrophe on the horizon.
Alek's Take:
Swimming season's in full swing across North Rhine-Westphalia! First up was the Allwetterbad Flingern followed by Strandbad Lörick and Rheinbad. This means the Münster-Therme and Unterrath's indoor pools are temporarily shut for public bathing. The latter's likely being demolished soon, with plans to establish a new pool at the Großmarkt by 2025.
Rising energy costs got everyone scrolling their calculators in anxiety. Prices for gas and electricity are secured up to the end of the year, but April 1st saw a hike in heating costs. The Baths Association's grappling with additional six-figure bills as a result. If prices continue to surge, the association aims to lower the water temperature in all indoor pools by two degrees Celsius gradually to conserve energy and preserve infrastructure. Outdoor pools' temperatures will be maintained at a minimum of 22°C.
While solar power can't increase outdoor pool temperatures directly, it can certainly help! Take, for example, the SOLAR-RIPP® system, made in Germany. By installing these solar absorbers on south-facing surfaces, you capture solar energy effectively, warming up the water without burning a hole in your pocket. The technology's so efficient, it can heat pools up to 25°C! And it's not just the SOLAR-RIPP® - advanced systems like PVT-source Heat Pumps generate both electricity and heat, benefiting multi-family housing and community pools alike.
Some, like Peter Schwabe - the Sports Association's chairman and Baths Association's supervisory board - are on board with this eco-friendly move. "It's smart to save energy," he says. But city councilor Torsten Lemmer from the Free Voters sees things differently. He worries about kids and beginners being affected by the reduced temperature. "We need to think twice before blanketing every bit of warm water in Europe," he says.
Enrichment Insights:
So, while Germany's swimming pools turn greener, pool managers are looking toward innovative solar technologies to tackle rising energy costs and maintain comfortable temperatures. Systems like the SOLAR-RIPP® and PVT-source Heat Pumps can significantly reduce reliance on conventional, costly energy sources while offering cost-effective solutions that minimize operating costs and ensure efficient heating [1][2][5].
- Sports associations, like the one Peter Schwabe chairs, are embracing eco-friendly solutions to address rising energy costs in swimming pools.
- The implementation of solar technologies, such as the SOLAR-RIPP® system, is a smart move to conserve energy while maintaining comfortable swimming temperatures in pools.
