University of Twente facilities include an outdoor pool, which is used for recreational purposes as well as for training sessions. To provide a pleasant water temperature for swimmers, it’s important that the water is heated. This consumes a lot of energy. The pool has been made more sustainable over the years thanks to the hard work of CFM (Campus and Facility Management).
To start, the pool's water and showers are heated by solar collectors. A total of 40 solar collectors have been installed. The collectors are located on the roof of the locker room, on the existing water heater and on the roof terrace. The black material is warmed by the sun, which in turn warms up the water flowing through the collectors. This warmth is used to heat the pool water as well as the water for the showers.
In addition, the pool is covered with solar slats when not in use. This is to prevent heat loss. [SM1] These slats block outgoing heat and allow incoming heat (from shining sunlight) to pass through. This so-called folding cover was chosen and partially dug into the ground. A smart choice from a sustainability standpoint, but also from a safety standpoint. This way, the lifeguards' view of the pool remains good.
