Thermal Performances Sensitivity Analysis for Solar Thermal Technology Integration to Swimming Olympic Pool: The Case of Morocco

Abstract

Olympic swimming pools are places of enormous energy consumption. Controlling and predicting this behavior is an essential issue in order to minimize energy consumption by integrating renewable energy and proposing actions to reduce consumption. It is crucial to choose an efficient solar installation and optimize operating factors to specify the optimal combination of the best operation. This paper studies the case of an Olympic swimming pool with the standard size of 50 m in length and 25 m in width, with a depth of 3 m, the water temperature is maintained at around 25–28°C, suitable for prolonged and intense swimming. The aim is to integrate a solar thermal system to meet the energy needs of the pool under the climatic conditions of Rabat City in Morocco. In order to address the problem of the work, a comparative study was carried out first between the technology of solar thermal Flat-Plate Collectors (FPC) and Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETC). The purpose is to make the technological choice best suited to the case study, decision-based on analysis of critical indicators: temperatures, efficiency and solar fraction. After having optimized the installation technical characteristics, a parametric study was then started to present the best combination of the operating parameters of the pool. The study took into account the effect of thermal cover on the pool, the rate of cold-water intake, and the occupancy rate in the pool. The results showed the importance of a thermal cover for the energy of consumption reduction, with an occupancy rate of 0.15% and a water supply rate of 5% for optimal operation and a reduced energy bill.