Group Assignment[1]

School of Control Systems and Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical Services Engineering
Higher Certificate in Electrical Services Engineering
Programme Code DT083/5
2010-2011
Student Names: Rory Conlon; Aidan Conroy; Paul Derwin; Mark Stewart
Student No.: D-07114364; D-07114348; D-07114349; D-05110728
Class Group: DT083/5
Date: 23.11.2010

DECLARATION
We declare that all material contained in this project is our own work, and has not
been submitted for any academic assessment other than part fulfillment of the
assessment procedures for the programme “DT083 – Ordinary Degree in
Electrical Services Engineering”. Supporting additional material is fully and
specifically acknowledged wherever adapted from other sources.
Name Signed Date
Rory Conlon
Aidan Conroy
Paul Derwin
Mark Stewart
Student Names: Rory Conlon; Aidan Conroy; Paul Derwin; Mark Stewart
Student Nos.: D-07114364; D-07114348; D-07114349; D-05110728
Course Code: DT083
Year: 5

III
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 1
AIM................................................................................................................................................................ 1
METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................................... 1
POOL HEATING CRITERIA.................................................................................................................... 3
SOLAR HEATING ........................................................................................................................................... 3
SOLAR POWER ............................................................................................................................................. 3
SOLAR DATA ................................................................................................................................................ 4
WIND POWER ............................................................................................................................................... 4
BEST PRACTICE IN RELATION TO SITING ........................................................................................................... 5
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................................................. 5
WIND SPEED ................................................................................................................................................ 5
ELEVATION INFLUENCES ................................................................................................................................ 6
ENERGY OUTPUT .......................................................................................................................................... 6
WIND DATA .................................................................................................................................................. 7
TURBINE COSTS ........................................................................................................................................... 7
HEAT INPUT CALCULATIONS .............................................................................................................. 8
HEAT STORAGE ............................................................................................................................................ 9
HEAT LOSSES............................................................................................................................................. 10
CALCULATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 11
TURBINE SELECTION............................................................................................................................ 15
COSTS......................................................................................................................................................... 16
SCALE OF PROJECT............................................................................................................................... 17
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... 19

Student Names: Rory Conlon, Aidan Conroy, Paul Derwin, Mark Stewart
Student Nos: D-07114364; D-07114348; D-07114349; D-05110728
Page - 1 -
Introduction
This assignment investigates a design for maintaining the temperature of a
swimming pool incorporating the collection and storage of sustainable energy
with a view to reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. Comparisons will be
drawn between the proposed design, and the projected cost of operating a
traditionally designed swimming pool.
Aim
To assess the possibility of extracting the maximum benefits of both solar and
wind energy in an application where there is a requirement for almost constant
heat input, and to compare the proposed design against traditional designs.
Methodology
The data assessed in this assignment includes;
1. Energy required to maintain or increase the temperature of the swimming
pool water.
2. Typical energy available from solar radiation and wind power and the
projected consistency of availability.
The compilation of the above data will provide the basis for calculating the
energy input requirement and the most effective energy harvesting combination
to provide this energy in a consistent manner. Contingency for periods of excess
or shortage will be catered for by the inclusion of a thermal store as part of the
structure.

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Pool Design Criteria
In the majority of cases, and for practical reasons such as access, structural
engineering and common sense, swimming pools are situated on or close to the
ground level of a building. In effect, the pool itself is almost always below ground
level, which also reduces thermal losses to some extent because fabric losses
through the floor of a building are generally lower than through the external walls.
Fabric loss calculations are directly proportional to the differential temperature
across the building element, i.e. the difference in temperature between inside
and outside the building. When calculating the potential heat loss through an
external wall of a residential building for example, Building Services Engineers
generally base their calculations on maintaining a target internal air temperature
of 21o
C with a worst case outside air temperature of -2o
C, resulting in a
differential temperature of 23o
C or more correctly 23 Kelvin. Heat losses through
the floor slab are never as significant because the soil temperature rarely
fluctuates to the same extent as the air temperature. In general, the soil
temperature in Ireland fluctuates between 10o
C and 16o
C for a depth of up to 3
metres, making below ground level an ideal location for the pool and also for a
thermal store. In addition to the pool structure itself, the large volume of water
involved will also act as a thermal store. The criteria for construction will feature
the following;
1. Method of utilising harnessed energy directly for increasing and
maintaining the pool water temperature.
2. Method of storing excess harnessed energy.
3. Method of releasing harnessed energy.
4. Method of re-directing excess energy to supply ancillary services.

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Pool Heating Criteria
The successful design for a swimming pool which will relies on solar and wind
power as primary sources of energy will depend largely on the accuracy of the
data used to determine the quantity and type of collectors used for the purpose.
The levels of solar radiation in Ireland are relatively constant regardless of
location, but the wind speed can vary significantly even with minor alterations in
altitude or position in relation to obstructions. For the purposes of this proposal,
the solar radiation and wind speed data is the average values recorded by the
MET Eireann weather station at Dublin Airport.
Solar Heating
Because of the relatively low temperature and high volume of water required in a
swimming pool, the flat panel solar collector has been selected as the most
appropriate for this application. The efficiency of solar collectors vary slightly from
one manufacturer to the next, the most efficient being approximately 19%.
The basis for calculating the quantity of Solar Panels required for the purpose, is
based on various manufacturers data coupled with the recorded data at Dublin
Airport.
Solar Power
The solar radiation data recorded by MET Eireann at Dublin Airport is provided in
the format of Global Radiation in units of Joules/cm2
. The typical output for a 2m2
solar panel at an angle of 30 degrees elevation provides 1200kWh of energy per
annum. To calculate the anticipated output of a panel for each month of the year,
we divided the total output by the total radiation to provide the output per quantity
of radiation, as follows;
Total annual average Solar Radiation = 332kJ/cm2
Total annual output of 2m2
Solar Panel = 1200kWh
Panel Output = 1200/332 = 3.62kWh for each kJ/cm2
of solar radiation

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Solar Data
Using the average monthly global radiation value provided by MET Eireann, we
can calculate the panel output on a monthly basis as demonstrated on the table
below.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Solar
Radiation
J/cm2
7229 11848 24282 36901 46566 50216 52826 40798 29855 17554 8467 5137
kWh per
panel
26.15 42.87 87.85 133.50 168.47 181.68 191.12 147.60 108.01 63.51 30.63 18.59
The output values will provide a guideline for the number of panels required to
heat the swimming pool for each month of the year. It is obvious from the above
that the output during the winter months will be much less than during the
summer. To maximise the efficiency of the system, the expectation is that the
quantity of panels required for the summer months will be sufficient, with the
shortfall of energy made up by the wind turbines during the winter months.
Wind Power
In most wind power applications, it is necessary to provide a working system with
complex and expensive controls to allow connection to the grid. In this
application, no such controls will be necessary as all of the power harvested will
be used directly at source. A simple direct connection from the generator to the
load will be sufficient. Unfortunately, the data provided by most manufacturers
and suppliers of this equipment is aimed at the micro generation or wind farm
market and includes for all controls and equipment for grid connection, and as
such, no correction factor has been made to address this issue.
The most important factor when attempting to harness wind power is consistent
availability of useful wind energy. The best sites for turbines rarely coincide with
the best sites for swimming pools, however, there is a relatively consistent supply
of wind power in almost all parts of the country, with increased benefits in most
coastal regions. The focus of attention is on the adequacy of output from the
Wind Turbine under average conditions rather than the possibility of planning
restrictions or any other practicalities.

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Best practice in relation to Siting
Optimal siting has to take account of:
• Annual average wind speeds, (generally between 3 and 8m/s)
• Ground conditions necessary for structural stability of turbines and
associated infrastructure
• Proximity to dwellings and settlements
• Soil Stability - Sites located on deep peat are unsuited because of their
instability
• Location and Prevailing Winds
Wind direction may vary significantly, but there are prevailing directions that you
should study. The turbine should face the prevailing winds, and should catch the
turbine without obstruction. Wind speeds across the country can be modeled
using the Weibull Distribution. This statistical tool will tell us how often winds of
different speeds will be seen at a location with a certain average (mean) wind
speed. Knowing this will help us choose a wind turbine with optimal cut-in-speed
(the wind at which the turbine starts to generate usable power), and the cut-out-
speed (the speed at which the turbine hits the limit of its alternator and can no
longer put out increased power output with further increases in wind speed).
Local Requirements
Take into account local requirements when planning a wind system location.
They vary and may include environmental assessments, studies on the impact
on the wildlife or communications (local air traffic, for instance).
The height of a wind turbine tower is an important element to consider and
should take into account the height of the surrounding obstructions. The height of
the tower should place the bottom of the turbine blades at least 10 meters/30 feet
above the top of any obstacle within 100 meters of the tower.
Wind Speed
Electricity output is proportional to the wind speed cubed. Thus a small difference
in the average wind speed has a big effect on electrical output. A 2 MW wind
turbine located on a site, which has an annual wind speed of 6m/s (metres per

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second) will produce less than half as much energy as the same machine on a
site where the annual wind speed is 8m/s. Sites with a mean wind speed above
7.5m/s are favoured.
Elevation Influences
Wind speed is not the sole influence. An allowance has to be made for potential
higher costs required to create and manage wind turbines at higher altitudes. At
low wind speeds, a turbine does not supply any electricity. From 3-4m/s, the
turbine starts producing power and from about 12m/s, the maximum capacity is
supplied. At wind speeds above 25m/s, the turbine is stopped to avoid
overloading. At a good location, an average turbine annually supplies an
electricity output of at least 850 kilowatt hours per square meter of rotor surface.
The wind at a particular location can be influenced by a number of factors such
as obstruction by buildings or trees, the nature of the terrain and deflection by
nearby mountains or hills. For example, the rather low frequency of southerly
winds at Dublin Airport is due to the sheltering effect of the mountains to the
south. The prevailing wind direction is between south and west. Annual wind
speeds range from 7 M.P.H. in parts of south Leinster to over 18 M.P.H. in the
extreme north. But the north and west coasts of Ireland are two of the windiest
areas in Europe and have considerable potential for the generation of wind
energy.
Energy Output
To Calculate kWh generated by Wind Turbine, the average annual output of
850kWh per m2
rotor surface at an average wind speed of 8m/s is used as a
guideline. From wind speed data provided by MET Eireann, we can calculate the
monthly output per m2
of rotor surface and identify a suitable turbine, or array of
turbines to provide the energy required. In order to calculate the surface area of
the wind turbines required, it is necessary to calculate the output in Watts per m2
of rotor surface area for each month of the year. The average wind speeds
provided by MET Eireann will be used to evaluate the anticipated output per
month.

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Optimal Wind Speed = 8 m/s
Total annual output per m2
of rotor surface at 8m/s = 850kWh per annum
Where Wind Speed = Vw the ouput is proportional to Vw
3
Total kWh Output per m2
at 8m/s = 850
Output is proportional to Wind Speed3
therefore;
Output per m2
rotor area = kWh/ Vw
3
= 850/83
= 1.66kWh/m/s
Average Daily Output per m/s = 1.66kWh/365 = 45.48 Wh per m2
per m/s
Wind Data
Mean
Monthly
Wind
Speed m/s
6.28 6.02 5.97 4.99 4.48 4.12 4.17 4.58 5.09 5.56 6.07 5.09
kWh per
Day
1.12 0.99 0.97 0.57 0.41 0.32 0.33 0.32 0.44 0.60 0.78 1.02
Total kWh
per m2 34.86 27.77 29.96 16.95 12.64 9.51 10.20 9.83 13.53 18.63 23.40 31.54
From the above calculations, it can be demonstrated that the sum total of all
monthly output per m2
rotor area = 257.5 kWh per annum, which is considerably
less than the ideal return of 850kWh.
Turbine Costs
The total costs for installing a commercial scale wind turbine will depend on the
size of the turbine, when the turbine purchase agreement is executed,
construction contracts, the type of machine, the location of the project, and other
factors. Cost components for the project include wind resource assessment and
site analysis expenses, the price and freight of the turbine and tower, protection,
metering equipment, insurance, operations, warranty, maintenance and repair,
legal and consultation fees. For example, the cost in 2007 for a commercial scale
2MW wind turbine was approximately €2 million.

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Heat Input Calculations
The heat required to maintain the temperature of a swimming pool is made up
from a combination of fabric losses and infiltration losses. In addition, the pool
temperature will occasionally drop to below the recommended minimum
temperature and will need to be re-heated. The heat input required to address
the normal running losses can be approximated by calculating the fabric and
infiltration losses at a specific outside air temperature and providing a sufficient
source of heat to counteract the losses. The energy required to increase the
temperature of the water is determined in a similar fashion but because of the
large volume of water involved, there is a compromise to be reached between
energy input and reheat time. The intention of this proposal is to address normal
running losses only and to provide design calculations to maintain the pool water
temperature during average conditions. During periods of over supply, the heat
generated will be applied to the thermal store up to a pre-determined maximum
temperature. The maximum temperature can be adjusted to minimise or
maximise the buffer capacity of the thermal store for varying weather conditions,
for example, as the outside air temperature decreases, the thermal store
maximum temperature can be increased to compensate for the possibility of
additional losses. Any energy produced over and above the maximum value can
be re-directed to heat exchangers which can be used to heat the showers or
warm the ambient air in the pool area.

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Heat Storage
As mentioned above, due to the volume of water involved, the pool itself will
retain a large quantity of heat. However, water also loses heat relatively quickly
and so an alternative form of heat storage has been incorporated into the design.
The pool construction itself consists of a sizeable volume of concrete, which has
the ability to conduct and retain heat. The principle of operation of the proposed
system is similar to that of the electric storage heater in that the heat from both
the solar panels and the wind turbines is applied to the concrete form
surrounding the pool. The concrete pool structure is insulated from the external
structure of the building to eliminate or minimise any heat losses through thermal
bridging and reduce fabric losses to a minimum. The absorbed heat flows from
the concrete to the water by conduction, thereby raising the temperature of the
water. There are a number of advantages to this form of heating as follows;
1. Most pool heating systems use natural gas or oil fired heating via heat
exchangers requiring a high primary temperature and large volume
secondary flow rate. Both conventional and condensing gas boilers
operate less efficiently at higher temperatures. In the proposed system,
the pool water is heated directly over a large surface area (i.e. the internal
surface area of the pool), therefore, even using conventional heating
systems, the primary temperature does not need to be much greater than
the secondary temperature, which and would therefore increase efficiency,
regardless of heat source.
2. Traditional systems allow the pool water to stratify when the circulation
pumps are switched off. It is then necessary to run the pumps for a
number of hours before occupation to allow the pool to reach a uniform
temperature. The proposed system heats the pool water from the
surrounding surface area causing convection currents to naturally circulate
the water thereby preventing stratification and eliminating cold spots. The
circulation pumps need only be operated for filtration purposes.

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Heat Losses
Maintaining the temperature of the pool water is critical for both user comfort and
the economical operation of the pool. The desired pool temperature is a matter of
choice but generally falls in the range of 27o
C to 30o
C. The lower end is generally
recommended for competitive swimming and the upper end for the leisure
market, but in any case, the heat losses incurred will be similar and must be
minimised.
In order to maintain the desired temperature of any occupied space, it is
necessary to take actions to prevent or minimise heat losses. In addition to fabric
and infiltration losses, swimming pools also have specific issues which need to
be addressed. The fabric losses can be addressed by insulating the external
structure of the pool using high density foam insulation. When the pool has
reached operating temperature, there is a tendency for the warm water to
evaporate. When the pool is dormant, these losses can be minimised by applying
a proprietary pool cover, but during occupation, the effects are magnified due to
the constant agitation of the water. A method of reducing this loss during periods
of occupation is to increase the room air temperature to a few degrees above the
pool temperature. Heat energy tends to travel from warm to cold, so if the air
temperature is higher than the pool temperature, the losses due to evaporation
will be minimised.

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Calculations
Using an Olympic size pool as a template, the following calculations estimate the
heat input required based on the volume of the pool;
Pool Dimensions = 50m x 20m x 2m = 2000m3
= 2,000,000 litres.
Energy Required to raise temperature of water = Q
Q = MC∆T where;
M = Mass of Water in kg (1 litre = 1kg)
C = Specific Heat Capacity of Water = 4.2kJ/kg
∆T = Differential Temperature
To raise the temperature of the water by one degree in one second, the heat
input required is;
Q = 2,000,000 x 4.2 x 1 = 8,400,000kW
If the increase in temperature takes place over a period of 24 hours, the energy
input required = 8,400,000/(3600x24) = 97.22kW.
In other words, if the swimming pool heat loss equates to one degree per day,
the constant energy input required to compensate for this loss equates to
97.22kW.
Assuming that the maximum pool temperature is 30o
C, and that the heat is
applied to the thermal store, it will be necessary to increase the temperature of
the thermal store to above the pool temperature. The greater the differential
temperature, the greater the flow of heat from one mass to the other. Assuming
that all heat applied to the concrete thermal store will travel to the pool, if the
same energy input calculated above is applied to the concrete, the pool
temperature will be maintained.
For a concrete structure of the following dimensions;
50m x 20m x 1.2m = 1200m3
The density of concrete = 2300kg/m3
The Mass of the concrete = 1200 x 2300 = 2,760,000kg

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The increase in temperature of the concrete can be calculated as follows;
Q = MC∆T where;
Q = 8,400,000kW
M = Mass of Concrete in kg = 2,760,000 kg
C = Specific Heat Capacity of Concrete = 0.84kJ/kg
∆T = Differential Temperature
Therefore ∆T = Q/MC = 8,400,000/(2,760,000 x 0.84) = 3.62o
C
Assuming that the fabric losses around the thermal store are negligible, for each
degree lost by the swimming pool, the concrete temperature requires a
temperature increase of 3.62 o
C to restore the pool temperature to the target
level. Because the target temperature of the thermal store is in excess of the
target pool temperature, the differential temperature between the surfaces will
allow the heat to flow from the store to the pool, thereby maintaining the pool
water temperature as required.
The heat applied to the thermal store is approximately 0.5 metre below the
bottom surface of the pool.
Thermal Conductivity of Concrete = 2.2 W/mK
The Thermal Resistance of Concrete Thermal Store = 0.5/2.2 = 0.23 m2
K/W
The U-value of the concrete is therefore = 1/0.23 = 4.45W/m2
The total instantaneous transfer of heat energy from the pool floor to the water
per degree of differential temperature;
Ф = U x A x (T2 – T1) = 4.4 x 20 x 50 = 4.45 kW
If the heat input to the thermal store = 97.22kW, the required temperature at a
distance of 0.5 metres below the pool can be calculated as follows;
Target Pool Temperature + (97.22/4.45) o
C = (30 + 22) = 52o
C
This differential temperature will allow adequate heat flow from thermal store to
pool and is also within the normal operating range of the solar panels.

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By combining the monthly data, the output data for solar panels and wind
turbines, and the energy data calculated to raise the temperature of the pool, we
can quantify the number of solar panels or the surface rotor area of wind turbine
required to provide this energy. The following table demonstrates these
calculations effectively.
L W D Vol (m3) kg/m3
C
(kJ/kg)
Heat
Input
Required Totals
Pool Water Data 50.00 20.00 2.00 2000.00 1000.00 4.20 8400000 kW
Per Hour 2333.33 kW
Per 24
Hrs 97.22 kW
Concrete Data 50.00 20.00 1.20 1200.00 2300.00 0.84 2318400 kW
Per Hour 644.00 kW
Per 24
Hrs 26.83 kW
Temp Data Target Recovery
Pool 30 24 Hrs
Concrete 33.62 24 Hrs
Heat Input Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg Concrete
Temp 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Differential Temp 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62 3.62
Avg Pool Temp 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29
Differential Temp 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Required Input 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 97
kWh per Day 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331 2331
Energy Required 72270 65276 72270 69938 72270 69938 72270 72270 72270 72270 69938 72270
Monthly Outputs Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Wind Turbine
kWh/m2
34.86 27.77 29.96 16.95 12.64 9.51 10.20 9.83 13.53 18.63 23.40 31.54
Solar Panels
kWh/Panel 26.15 42.87 87.85 133.50 168.47 181.68 191.12 147.60 108.01 63.51 30.63 18.59
Quantity Required
Turbine m
2
2073.26 2350.59 2411.90 4124.95 5717.11 7352.99 7084.01 7352.99 5340.28 3879.97 2988.57 2291.33
Solar Panels 2763.25 1522.82 822.65 523.87 428.97 384.96 378.14 489.62 669.08 1137.95 2283.12 3888.56
Turbine Solar
Quantities Used 2200 400
Proj Wind Energy 76687 61094 65920 37301 27810 20925 22444 21623 29772 40978 51484 69389
Proj Solar Energy 10462 17146 35140 53402 67389 72671 76448 59041 43205 25404 12253 7434
Proj Comb Output 89349 78640 101060 90703 95199 93596 98892 80664 72978 66381 63738 76823
It can be seen from the data above, that on average, the maximum requirement
for wind energy coincides with the minimum requirement for solar power (ie from
April to September).
Using this data, we can show that a combination of solar panels and wind
turbines can provide a steady form of energy supply, capable of maintaining the
temperature of the pool for ten months of the year, with a slight shortfall in

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October and November. Because the calculations are based on averages, it is
likely that the values for wind and solar power would vary on a daily basis, and
the thermal store would be expected to provide a buffer for the periods in
between, resulting in a relatively constant heat source.
Collector Outputs
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
90000
Month
kWh
Proj Wind Energy
Proj Solar Energy
Output vs Required
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
Month
kWh
Energy Required
Proj Comb Output

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Turbine Selection
Using manufacturers data supplied by Unison, and the average wind speed provided by
MET Eireann, it is possible to plot the anticipated output for each of the turbines.
The projected output from the U50 turbine follows the projected Wind Energy
Requirement most closely.
Wind Energy Required vs U50 Output
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
90000
100000
Month
kWh
Proj Wind Energy
U50

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Costs
The overall cost of the project would be difficult to accurately assess, particularly
when measured against the current cost of fossil fuels. In the first instance,
providing a single wind turbine would not be feasible, as the planning restrictions,
margin for error and capital cost would be too great. The budget cost for supply
of a large scale wind turbine is currently in the region of €1,000 per kW output.
With a maximum output in the region of 700kW, the cost of a U50 turbine would
be approximately €700,000.
The cost of Solar Panels has reduced over the past number of years, with flat
plate collectors currently retailing at approximately €400. On a large scale
project, the cost would probably be substantially discounted, however, based on
€400 per unit, the total cost for supply only would be approximately €160,000.
Given that any alternative heating system would require installation and controls,
the value of the installed system can be measured by comparing the capital cost
of the energy saving equipment against the projected cost of fuel. The Energy
Comparison data provided by SEAI lists the delivered cost per kWh of various
fuels. The cleanest and most popular for this type of application is piped Natural
Gas, which costs 2.49 cent per kWh at the cheapest tariff (ie the largest
consumer). The most sustainable alternative is wood chips at a price of 3.41 cent
per kWh. Predictably, the cheapest form of fuel is coal at 0.71cent per kWh.
Based on the energy requirements calculated above, the total annual energy
requirement is estimated at 853.25 MWh. The following table estimates the
equivalent cost of energy from these sources at 95% combustion efficiency.
Fuel Type Cost/kWh kWh Required Total Cost
Natural Gas €0.0249 €22,322
Wood Chips €0.0341 €30,570
Coal €0.0071
896,470
€6,365
Fuel Type Annual Cost Capital Cost Payback Period (yrs)
Natural Gas €22,322 38
Wood Chips €30,570 28
Coal €6,365
€860,000
135

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Scale of Project
When viewed to scale, it is obvious that such a development will be subject to
scrutiny in the planning department. Selecting a greater number of smaller wind
turbines may be a more effective solution from the feasibility point of view,
however, it probably be a cause for concern from any nearby residents as
regards operating noise.
The solar panels fit in quite well with the overall dimension of the pool building
and are unobtrusive in both appearance and performance. The total floor area
required to accommodate the solar panels is based on the pool dimension with
an additional 2,300 square meters of space for viewing galleries, showering &
changing areas, administration and general public areas.
Pool Building
including 400 x
2m2
Solar Panels
Equivalent Size of
Pool
Equivalent Size of
Wind U-50 Turbine

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Conclusion
The average climatic conditions experienced in Ireland provides a relatively
constant source of “free energy”. Harvesting and utilising this energy is a
challenge which must be met at some point in the not too distant future. The
proposal put forward by this team demonstrates that while this “free energy “ can
dramatically reduce the dependency on fossil fuels in an application which
requires a consistently large energy input, there are a number of limiting factors
to be considered;
1. There is still a need for a dependable alternative source of energy as a
backup.
2. The site location will need careful consideration for a number of reasons
including;
a. to maximise the efficiency of the selected systems
b. to comply with planning restrictions
3. A feasibility study detailing the cost of both installation and maintenance of
the systems would not make financial sense when balanced against the
current cost of energy from fossil fuels.
The proposal does demonstrate the practicalities of harvesting and storing
energy, and with improved technologies in the area of energy storage, there is
the potential for realistic and cost effective solutions for the future. The
possibilities for such solutions are unlimited but are most effective where there is
an almost constant demand for controllable heat energy, such as high density
living accommodation, hospitals, hotels, office buildings etc. The key to the
success of such solutions lies in the ability to economically store the thermal
energy and the ability to deliver the stored heat in a controllable and efficient
manner.

Student Nos: D-07114364; D-07114348; D-07114349; D-05110728
Page - 19 -
References & Acknowledgements
SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
MET Eireann
Cement Roadstone Holdings
Unison Wind Turbines
www.irishpvandwind.ie
www.lightbucket.com
www.brighthub.com
www.weibull.com

Group Assignment[1]

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