Decarbonising a leading nationwide health club chain

Overview:

Operating over 120 clubs in the UK and continental Europe, the client’s facilities boast features including state-of-the-art gyms, heated indoor and outdoor pools, exercise studios, and luxury spas.

Working with Future Motors, their decarbonisation aims focused on two key areas. It was important that these were achieved whilst keeping with their business offering of healthier club environments that provide a superior level of air quality for their customers. This required using a more dynamic, responsive system that could measure and respond to customer numbers.

• Supporting their ambitious journey of "hitting a Net Zero carbon emissions target by 2030"
• Saving energy, which is particularly important in the context of the current levels of uncertainty and rising energy prices

Scope of Works:

Identifying their busiest London club for the initial pilot delivered proof of concept at scale and provided confidence that the club would provide a good test of motor efficiency and showcase both cost-benefit and carbon impact.

Initial works included the installation of 150 Turntide electric motors to drive multiple heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems throughout the building. These motors were also integrated into the existing building energy management systems (BEMS). The installation of these motors was completed in just three days, with no unplanned disruption.

The Turntide smart motor system™ uses a patented high rotor pole switched reluctance motor, with advanced device physics, which runs more efficiently and reliably than anything else on the market.

To measure the impact, initial baseline measurements were taken on existing motors’ energy consumption in order to achieve a like-for-like comparison

Post-installation benefits and ROI

The energy cost savings exceeded the initial calculation, with an expected ROI to be achieved in two years. In addition, the following data has been seen:

• Actual cost and energy saving 49% (initial calculations anticipated savings of 32%)
• 14.5 tonnes of Co2 saved per annum
• 70,000 kilowatt hours saved per annum

The efficient motor and advancements in technology used in these installations will also see an ongoing reduction in maintenance costs.

Beyond the pilot

Following a successful pilot, a further agreement was reached to install motors in another 21 clubs around the UK, with a proposal for additional European locations.

By the end of the second wave of installations, the client has an annual saving of 440 tonnes of carbon, and 2,000,000 kilowatt hours.

The Sustainability Manager leading the project for our client said: