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CUSTOMER:
The Weald Sports Centre
PROJECT:
Energy & Sustainability

Weald Leisure Centre: Decarbonisation Through Intelligent Heat and BMS Optimisation

DMA were appointed at The Weald Sports Centre on behalf of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council as part of the Council’s Heating Decarbonisation Scheme to reduce fossil fuel usage, which contributes to pollution and global warming by installing an air source energy system (ASES). The project was awarded Salix PSDS3 funding.

The Council’s goal was to lower the leisure centre’s carbon footprint by relying on air source heat pumps (ASHP) to meet 100% of the building’s annual heat needs, with the existing gas-fired boiler serving only as a backup. This transition was set to deliver a 93% reduction in gas usage.

The Challenge

One of the project’s key challenges was the District Network Operator upgrade and aligning those transformer install works, which were on a very tight timescale, with the overall project schedule. Additionally, ensuring the sports centre remained fully operational throughout the project was crucial to avoid any loss of revenue.

The Solution

To achieve the Council’s goals, DMA’s solution delivered a stage 4 design and planning to ensure the leisure centre maintained heating and hot water during the works.

Core upgrades

  • Installation of 2no air source heat pumps
  • 1no 150kW ASHP for the heating and hot water
  • 1no 60kW ASHP for the swimming pool
  • 2no 2000L calorifiers
  • 1no 300kW gas-fired boiler
  • Refurbished and upgraded 3 legacy BMS panels
  • New BMS supervisor graphics
  • Energy management system
  • 93.38kW Solar PV
  • New DNO supply and LV panel

BMS controls refurbishment

  • Existing 20+ year panels retained and modernised
  • Controllers replaced and re-comissioned
  • Sensors, actuators and AHU valve controls upgraded
  • MCB, relays and contractors replaced
  • New drawings and graphics integration

The Results

As a result of DMA’s solution, the centre’s energy usage reduced by approximately 550,000 kWh per year, cutting 127 tonnes of CO2 annually.

The upgraded ASHPs now efficiently manage pool temperatures, heating and hot water demand, while the solar PV system offsets the additional electrical load.

The Weald Sports Centre was the first facility in Tunbridge Wells to make such a significant impact in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, setting a new standard for sustainability.

BMS Upgrade Savings

£44,000
Annual energy savings

£94,000
Investment value

2.13 years
Payback period