Page 16 - PDZA Sustainable Aquarium Brochure

REAPING THE ULTIMATE REWARDS

This whitepaper illustrates that alternative filtration
systems such as drum screen filters have great
potential for savings in power, water and space
uses. However, careful planning is needed to reap
the optimum benefits. Consideration of how the
technologies meet water quality requirements is
essential. While the advantages of a successful
alternative filtration design depend on the technical
innovation, there are risks in moving from the
traditional design process, especially if operations
need to remain as simple as possible and there are
limitations on building and facility design. To reap
the ultimate rewards in energy savings, an innovative
LSS design requires a team effort in re-shaping
the layout of the aquarium, even to the point of a
markedly different exterior appearance.

HEATING AND COOLING

One of the most significant outcomes of The challenge for this project was to reduce—and
continued global warming is the negative impact maybe someday eliminate—the Greenhouse Gas
to our ocean environments through ocean (GHG) footprint of the aquarium by finding LSS
acidification. Aquariums face an interesting and building system solutions that use less energy,
dilemma in that they need significant amounts recover energy and leverage energy sources with
of energy to operate LSS’s to maintain correct no carbon footprint. Simple task, right? Yet if it
temperatures, salinity and turbidity in the exhibits, were simple everyone would do it and they are not.
while this energy use negatively impacts the
natural environment of the species on display. In addition to designing a more energy efficient
LSS, we designed the aquarium’s building
For reference, a typical code compliant office systems to provide the LSS with the heating,
building built in the Seattle area in 2016 will have cooling and lighting needed to sustain healthy
an Energy Use Intensity (EUI - kBtu/SF/yr) in the aquatic habitats while minimizing energy use.
range of 40 to 50. EUI is the building equivalent of
miles per gallon except lower EUI’s mean a more Traditionally, an aquarium will have a central
efficient building. Many aquariums operate at chilled water plant (water cooled chillers and
EUI’s ranging from 150, for smaller aquariums, to cooling towers), which uses refrigeration
more than 500 for larger ones. The location of the technology to deliver 42°F chilled water
aquarium also plays a factor. In addition, the energy throughout the building to cool and dehumidify
sources (i.e. electrical grid, natural gas, or oil) for various spaces.
buildings often have a large carbon footprint.
In addition, a typical HVAC system often includes

16 AQUARIUM OF THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: PUBLIC FACILITIES DESIGNED TO EMBODY CONSERVATION