Finland’s first solar-powered swimming pool complex for Pori http://www.samk.fi/news/1/finland_s_first_solar-powered_swimming_pool_complex_for_pori

Finland’s first solar-powered swimming pool complex for Pori

The first public swimming pool in Finland to utilise solar power gives an extra boost to the forward-looking energy region of Satakunta

In the 450th Jubilee meeting of Pori City Council on 8.3.2008, the decision was taken to build a new swimming pool complex in Pori. The complex will be located on Kuninkaanhaka Square between Itsenäisyydenkatu and Presidentinpuistokatu streets. Building work will get underway in November of this year. The inauguration of the pool complex is scheduled for the “Pori Day” of September 2011.
Unique solar energy solution for Finland

The solar energy solutions designed for Pori’s new pool complex are unique in the whole of Finland. The project embraces the latest technology, the development of renewable forms of energy, research and innovations, plus training for future specialists in the field.

The energy solution for the swimming pool complex optimises the joint use of many systems. Special attention has been paid in the design to energy saving and recovery at the pool complex, and to the way in which the energy is produced. As a brand-new energy solution for public facilities, the design includes solar-powered panels to produce electricity for the complex and solar collectors to heat the pool water. Even though this solution only replaces a part of the complex’s requirements for district heat and electric power, nevertheless the Pori model represents a new approach by Finnish cities to stopping climate change.

With this project, Pori will become a trailblazer, since this solar solution will be the country’s first solar energy investment in a swimming pool complex, and as such constitutes a major environmental action. During the summertime, when the indoor swimming pool is normally closed, the basic functions of the complex will be maintained by solar power. When the swimming pool complex is open, solar energy will be used as a complementary energy system for heating the pool water and electricity consumption.
Energy-stingy swimming pool

Solar heat collectors will generate 120 000 kWh of energy for the complex, corresponding to the annual heating costs of six average detached houses and covering 5 % of the annual heat requirements of the swimming pool complex. The solar panels will produce approximately 45 000 kWh or 3 % of the electricity consumed by the building. In any case, the swimming pool complex is designed to be “energy-stingy” and includes heat recovery from exhaust air and shower water, and other energy-saving solutions.
Special know-how of solar energy region also recognised internationally

Luvata, the leading international metals and solutions supplier for the renewable energy and power generation industries, and their partner network, provided the design expertise for the project. The swimming pool complex will have a total of 560 m2 of solar panels and collectors on its roof hidden from view. Additionally, an area of 80 m2 of solar energy collectors will be integrated in the cladding copper material on the south-facing façade. This is the first pilot site in the world that incorporates the fully-integrated solar energy system by Luvata.

The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences SAMK and local business partners have a key role to play as far as the implementation of the solar energy region is concerned. The City of Pori has made an important start in this by selecting solar power as one of the sources of energy for the swimming pool complex. At the same time it is supporting the growth of research, training and expertise in the energy form of the future in Satakunta. In autumn 2010, the Environmental Engineering degree programme starting at SAMK will meet the demand for specialists in renewable energy directly.

The design expertise for the project was provided by the international solar power player Luvata and their partner network. Special focus was also placed on the outward appearance of the complex. The swimming pool complex will have a total of 560 m2 of solar panels and collectors on its roof behind a designed screen. Additionally, an area of 80 m2 of solar energy collectors will be integrated in the cladding copper material on the south-facing façade. This is the first pilot site of this architectural system in the world.

The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences SAMK and local business partners have a key role to play as far as the implementation of the solar energy region is concerned. The City of Pori has made an important start in this by selecting solar power as one of the sources of energy for the swimming pool complex. At the same time it is supporting the growth of research, training and expertise in the energy form of the future in Satakunta. In autumn 2010, the Environmental Engineering degree programme starting at SAMK will meet the demand for specialists in renewable energy directly.
Solar energy to create jobs in Satakunta

The solar energy systems designed for the swimming pool complex will enable long-term monitoring. The mapping out of opportunities for the solar energy business done in spring in Satakunta indicated that local firms and university research functions possess the expertise and capacity to carry out research and development in this field.

The project will facilitate the creation of new jobs in the solar energy business in the region. Experts on the field will be employed directly in industry, but new employment will also be generated via new technical products and services. Currently, the solar energy business employs almost 100 people in the Pori district.
Partners

The solar energy project involves the City of Pori, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and Luvata. The project will go ahead as soon as the energy investment subsidy from the Finnish State is confirmed.
Cost estimate and other facts

The cost estimate for the swimming pool complex as of November 2007 stood at 15.8 million Euros. With building costs expected to rise, the probable construction cost now stands at approximately 17.5 million Euros. The Pori swimming pool complex has been granted the maximum amount of state aid, i.e. 750 000 euro of National Lottery money.

The swimming pools will be built on one level. The second floor will be reserved for technical and administrative purposes. The basement will be completely open and there will be an access ramp.

Estimated number of visitors per year, approx. 380 000.
For further information, please contact:

City of Pori
Deputy Mayor, Technical Services, Kari Hannus, Tel. +358 2 621 1012, +358 44 701 1012

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences,
Senior Lecturer, Dr. Suvi Karirinne (D. Sc.Tech.), Tel. +358 44 710 3304

Luvata
Senior Consultant – Solar Energy, Dr. Petri Konttinen (D. Sc. Tech.), Tel. +358 40 829 8550