Freedom of information response

Swimming pools

Publication date: 
Friday 2 June 2023
Request: 

This FOI request arises out of a report that a washing-machine-sized data centre is being used to heat a Devon public swimming pool. I understand the Exmouth pool uses ~222,000 kWh of gas to heat the pool a year. Deep Green provides ~139,284kWh a year of heat for free from its data centre. This equates to 62% of the heating needs of the pool. This translates to a cost saving of £20,391 a year for the pool and a carbon saving of 25.8 tonnes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64939558

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2023/03/exmouth-swimming-pool-is-heated-by-a-uk-first-in-technology-heating-solutions/

Please advise:

1. Whether you use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings as a result.

2. Whether you have any plans to use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings you expect to achieve as a result.

Response: 

1. No we do not use similar technology. The pools are currently powered by conventional boiler systems.

2. Currently the leisure operator of our buildings continues to work towards the use of energy efficient solutions to all aspects of the Centre’s and will continue to explore opportunities for funding opportunities where available to improve technology in the future.

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Request reference:
FOI 12760