CPD Specifier May 2015 issue January 2014 | Page 27

Renewables

Kingspan Solar Thermal Systems
delivering spectacular savings
for Cambridge swimming pool
Abbey Pools in Cambridge, has been transformed
into a model of energy efficiency. The complex,
which includes two indoor swimming pools, is now
heated by one of the highest performing solar
thermal collectors in the world, generating up to 70
per cent of the complex’s hot water needs as well
as reducing the energy bills and the overall carbon
footprint of the establishment.
Cambridge City Council wanted to reduce energy
use and lower the carbon footprint of the city’s
Abbey Pools, two indoor heated swimming
pools, including one 25-metre pool and a smaller
15-metre learner pool.
The designated installers, Suffolk-based Sustain
Services, initially explored installing solar PV
panels. However, after comparing the energy and
financial savings that could be delivered by both
types of panels, the decision was taken to switch
to installing solar thermal.

Kingspan Solar’s specification team designed
a system using 40 Thermomax DF100-30 solar
thermal vacuum tube collectors, covering 120 sqm
of roof area, to supply solar heated water for both
pools. Specifically designed and manufactured
to operate in Northern European climates,
Thermomax collectors use vacuum technology to
deliver an unrivalled transfer of solar energy into
heat.

water to the swimming pools.
Early results have showed enormous energy
savings - surpassing the initial T*SOL predictions,
which suggested annual savings of around
85,000kWh, equating to financial savings
(including the RHI) of more than £8,000 (based
on actual readings taken in July 2013). Although
the hot summer of 2013 has undeniably boosted
system’s performance.

It wasn’t just the inherent efficiency of the system
which appealed, but its relative ease of installation.
The