Athletics club Hanzesport can save thousands of euro with rainwater

CFP Green Buildings was commissioned by knowledge centre Sport & Bewegen to investigate how sports clubs can meet the climate objectives for 2050. It turns out that four out of five sports clubs can go sustainable cost-effectively. In this series we highlight the five sports facilities that were investigated. In this article: athletics club Hanzesport in Zutphen and the opportunities before them.

First steps

Athletics club Hanzesport’s building De Scheg was built in the 1950s and renovated in 1988. In 2005, a glass extension was installed with HR++ glass — one of the first steps towards sustainability. So what else can the club do to move forward? And is an energy-neutral club within reach? To find out, project developer CFP Green Buildings carried out an energy scan.

The results

In addition to the extension with HR++ glass, the club installed LED lighting in the canteen and changing rooms. Hanzesport also has a very committed building manager who brings sustainability to the attention of the users with notes on the building systems and light switches. The new possibilities have been mapped out in a number of scenarios.

Basic scenario

There are a few simple measures that can be implemented to increase sustainability: things like energy management systems that control light and heating based on presence detection. The club can also insulate the pipes and make the boiler weather-dependent, which would significantly reduce the supply temperature. All in all, these measures mean savings of over €1,600 per year — so the investment of €1,930 will be earned back in less than two years.

Improvement scenario

The second scenario is based on the installation of solar panels. In the past, the club was advised not to do so because it would not pay off. The energy scan also investigated this option Because Hanzesport has a large-consumer connection, it does not have the option to net with solar panels. As a result, they receive only half of the supply tariff back, which makes the earn-back period for solar panels unattractive.

But with a small-consumer connection, the club would get everything back, including the energy tax. That makes a huge difference for the business case. Hanzesport can make this switch by using a battery system that can absorb the peaks on the connection. With battery storage, solar panels immediately become more attractive.

Visionary scenario

Under this scenario, gasless and energy-neutral become achievable for Hanzesport. This step calls for additional measures on top of the changes outlined in the other two scenarios. The club should replace the technical systems with sustainable ones when the time for replacement comes. This would include things like a heat pump and an electric boiler. Hanzesport can also improve the roof insulation when replacing the roof, insulate the interior walls and fit the whole building with exterior blinds. The total earn-back period for the investment in “all electric” and energy-neutral is just over ten years.

The heat pumps currently available are not suitable for De Scheg. The swimming pool needs a high temperature, and current technology does not yet offer a workable solution. That means that De Scheg doesn’t have the option to get completely off gas, at least for the time being. For now the sports complex should stay on top of the technical developments, such as deep geothermal systems. Under the visionary scenario, De Scheg would achieve 99% CO2 reduction with a payback time of 17.5 years.

Finally: saving with water

Hanzesport could also make further use of water. By collecting rainwater instead of draining it away, the club would be able to water its sports fields. Another possibility is a green sedum roof, to collect more water and “passively cool” the building. With available subsidies for disconnecting rainwater runoff from the sewer system, part of the investment can be recouped. Moreover, adding rain barrels would actually bring in almost €5,000 for the association.

Want to get started with sustainability? 

Do you want to know how you perform compared to other sports clubs or do you want to know more about which steps you can take as a sports accommodation to become more sustainable the cost-effective way? Then take a look at Sport NL Green (NL) or contact us.