Operational energy demand for indoor pool halls: a physics-based energy modelling approach for aquatic centers

Aquatic centers are recreational facilities that accommodate amenities such as swimming pool halls, gyms, restaurants, studios, and sports halls to meet diverse user needs. Among these amenities, indoor swimming pool halls are notably identified as more energy intensive. Unlike other buildings, assessing the energy performance of these pool halls is challenging due to the inherent interactions between indoor air conditions and pool water surfaces. The lack of reliable operational data limits accurate energy assessments, while the limited capability of simulation tools further constrains comprehensive energy performance analyses. This study developed a physics-based energy modelling approach by integrating energy simulations with established governing thermal and mass-transfer equations to capture the coupled interactions between indoor air and water surfaces. The proposed approach was applied to an existing indoor pool hall in British Columbia, Canada. A total of 729 operational scenarios were evaluated by varying critical parameters, including indoor air temperature, pool water temperature, relative humidity, and ventilation. The results revealed that lower indoor air and pool water temperature ranges, combined with higher relative humidity levels, led to reduced total energy use. Pool water heating accounted for the largest share of energy use, approximately 49% of the total, followed by ventilation fans (20%) and dehumidification (11%), respectively. Operational upgrade scenarios yielded up to 30% energy savings, with ventilation and pool water temperatures contributing over 90% to variations in total energy use. The findings of this study provide practical guidance on operations and their implications, enabling evaluation and implementation of energy efficiency measures.