Lakes Entrance Aquadome

The Lakes Entrance Aquadome’s recent heating system upgrade demonstrates how innovative CO₂ heat pump technology can transform aquatic facilities while setting new benchmarks for environmental responsibility.

By transitioning to natural refrigerant technology, this community facility has addressed both immediate operational challenges and long-term sustainability goals.

Located in coastal Victoria, the Lakes Entrance Aquadome serves its community by providing year-round indoor swimming facilities. Following an earlier transition from LPG to standard heat pumps, the facility faced increasing maintenance challenges as the coastal environment accelerated system deterioration. This situation created an opportunity to implement more resilient and environmentally conscious technology.

Technical Assessment

The facility’s requirements demanded a heating solution that could deliver exceptional performance while withstanding environmental challenges. Key parameters included:

The system needed to maintain stable water temperatures year-round in Victoria’s variable climate
Equipment had to be well engineered using quality components
The solution needed to integrate with existing hydronic infrastructure
Environmental impact had to be minimized through both refrigerant selection and operational efficiency

Solution Implementation

After careful evaluation, the facility installed three Revere CO₂ CHP-080Y2 heat pumps, each rated at 76kW. This solution leverages transcritical CO₂ cycle technology, representing a significant advancement over traditional heat pump systems. The installation process required precise coordination to minimise facility downtime, with particular attention paid to integration with existing systems.

The selected heat pumps incorporate several key technological advances:

Transcritical CO₂ cycle optimization allows for efficient operation across varying ambient conditions
Variable speed compressor technology enables precise temperature control and improved efficiency
Advanced controls integration facilitates seamless operation with the building management system

Performance Outcomes

The new system provides superior performance in several key areas. The use of CO₂ as a refrigerant (R744) has eliminated concerns about synthetic refrigerant environmental impact, with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1 compared to the significantly higher GWPs of traditional refrigerants.

Operating efficiency is notably improved, with the transcritical CO₂ cycle delivering consistent performance across varying ambient conditions. Maintenance requirements have decreased substantially, owing to the robust construction and simplified system design.

Engineering Insights

Several valuable lessons emerged during this project. The successful integration of CO₂ heat pumps in a demanding aquatic environment demonstrates their viability for similar applications. The installation process revealed the importance of careful planning when retrofitting advanced technology into existing infrastructure. The project also highlighted how natural refrigerant systems can meet or exceed the performance of traditional synthetic refrigerant systems while offering superior environmental credentials.

Future Implications

This installation serves as a model for other aquatic facilities facing similar challenges. The successful implementation of CO₂ heat pump technology at Lakes Entrance Aquadome demonstrates that facilities can simultaneously address operational reliability, environmental responsibility, and long-term cost management. The project particularly highlights the viability of natural refrigerant solutions in demanding commercial applications. Facilities like this can also benefit from various government incentives targeting energy efficiency improvements in public facilities.

Conclusion

The Lakes Entrance Aquadome upgrade exemplifies how modern heat pump technology can transform the operation of aquatic facilities. By carefully selecting equipment that addresses both immediate operational needs and longer-term sustainability goals, the facility has created a more resilient and environmentally responsible heating solution. The success of this installation provides valuable insights for engineers and facility managers considering similar upgrades, particularly in coastal environments where equipment durability is paramount.

This project demonstrates that with proper planning and appropriate technology selection, facilities can successfully balance operational requirements, environmental responsibility, and economic constraints. The Lakes Entrance Aquadome now stands as a reference point for sustainable aquatic facility operation, particularly in challenging coastal environments.

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Key Products

Revere CO2 Heat Pump Advantages

Flexible
The same system can be simultaneously used for Space Heating & Domestic Hot Water.

Suits Australian conditions
Accommodates ambient operating temperatures from -5°C to 43°C (Special unit available for -15°C or -20°C).

Eco friendly
The Revere® CO2 Heat Pump uses natural CO₂ refrigerant. This refrigerant has a global warming potential (GWP) of about 1/1700 that of R410 and zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP).

Heats up to 90°C
Due to its innovative design, the Revere® CO2 Heat Pump can produce hot water up to 90°C at low and high ambient temperatures (-20°C to 43°C).

Details

Key Products

REVERE CO₂ Air to Water Heat Pump

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