ThermEcoFlow: Innovative technologies and methods for indoor air comfort and energy optimisation in thermal spa buildings

Starting point

Thermal and wellness facilities in Austria are significant energy consumers. Their specific architectural characteristics - large glass facades, asymmetrical building shapes, and high humidity - make conventional energy-saving measures challenging. Additionally, fluctuating visitor numbers and variable solar radiation significantly impact energy consumption, making energy optimization particularly complex.

Content and Goals

The project aims to:

• Further develop existing building simulation programs (TRNSYS, EnergyPlus, IDA ICE) to more accurately model multi-zone thermal facilities, particularly regarding airflow, humidity loads, and evaporation effects.
• Conduct a detailed analysis of evaporation at pool surfaces and water vapor turbulence caused by attractions such as slides to better understand their impact on indoor climate and energy demand.
• Introduce AI-supported, predictive controllers for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) to enable dynamic and proactive adaptation to changing conditions, thereby increasing energy efficiency.
• Optimize renovation processes through improved building simulation models in the planning phase.

Methodological Approach

To achieve these objectives, a comprehensive requirement analysis will first be conducted, assessing the architectural, technical, and operational conditions of thermal and wellness facilities. This includes collecting operational data, measuring indoor climate and energy consumption, and conducting interviews with facility managers.

Based on these insights, existing simulation models will be evaluated and further developed to better represent the specific thermal and climatic conditions of thermal facilities. The focus will be on modelling airflow, humidity loads, and evaporation at water surfaces.

Additionally, AI-driven control systems for HVAC will be tested to enable optimized and energy-efficient regulation. For the conceptual test environment, data and requirements from a case study at Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg will be used.

Expected Results

By improving the representation of thermal conditions and introducing intelligent control systems, a significant reduction in energy consumption is expected. Initial estimates suggest potential savings in the range of 15-25%, leading to a considerable decrease in CO₂ emissions and contributing to climate neutrality.

At the same time, visitor comfort will be enhanced through more precise control of temperature and humidity. The tested simulation and control models will also provide valuable insights for future implementation projects and renovation measures by enabling a realistic assessment of energy-saving potential in the planning phase.

The findings from this project will serve as a foundation for further research and implementation projects, ultimately promoting a sustainable and energy-efficient operation of thermal and wellness facilities in the long term.

Project management

AEE – Institute of Sustainable Technologies

Project or cooperation partners

• Forschung Burgenland GmbH
• Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg Frankenau GmbH

Carina Seidnitzer-Gallien
Feldgasse 19
A-8200 Gleisdorf

Tel.: +43 (3112) 5886 266
E-Mail: c.seidnitzer-gallien@aee.at
Web: www.aee-intec.at