Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre Integrated Energy System

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The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre Integrated Energy System project will include a carbon neutral, renewable energy powered aquatic centre in western Melbourne. Municipal aquatic centres are the highest energy consuming and greenhouse gas emitting facilities managed by councils. Heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) is typically the largest component of energy use at these sites, which have historically relied upon both electricity and natural gas as fuel sources.Brimbank City Council, along with many other councils across Australia, are adopting commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2030 or sooner. Under these commitments, the use of natural gas and fossil-fuel sourced power to run council facilities is no longer tenable.To transition away from gas, councils are looking to convert their facilities to an ‘all-electric’ equipment model, which can use greater amounts of on-site renewable energy and source any residual power needs from off-site renewable energy facilities (through power purchase agreements).The main all-electric alternative to gas heating in aquatic centres is heat-pump technology. This technology can provide both heating and cooling. Heat pump use in cooler climates (such as Victoria and Tasmania) has been technically challenging during cooler months when the performance of air-source heat pumps decline.

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