Share Thermal Loop Upgrade on FacebookShare Thermal Loop Upgrade on TwitterShare Thermal Loop Upgrade on LinkedinEmail Thermal Loop Upgrade link
Project Summary
In 1982 a geothermal heating loop was installed utilising geothermal water through a bore in Henty Park. The heating loop supplied hot water for heating to 13 buildings through an underground piping system 5km in length.
In 2006 the geothermal bore was decommissioned and replaced with two 1Mw gas boilers and reduced in length. It now services the municipal precinct consisting of 7 buildings, including the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre (PLACE).
The current pipeline is 35 years old and is in need of replacement. It has been recognised that utilising the pipeline as a heating loop is the most efficient heating option for the future.
The two 1Mw gas boilers were replaced in 2019 with more efficient 610kw condensing gas boilers. New technologies are being investigated to replace the gas boilers and will be completed at a later stage.
The pipeline replacement will be staged over consecutive years to spread the costs and reduce impacts to the connected facilities.
Benefits of the project (Community benefits)
Replacing the thermal loop will allow for the continued supply of hot water for heating the seven Council buildings connected to it.
It will reduce the current maintenance issues around leaks and breakages due to aging infrastructure.
The new pipes are expected to have a renewal life of over 30 years (current pipes have lasted 30+ years).
It allows one source of heating for all the buildings, reducing maintenance and running costs and allowing for more efficient equipment and technologies to be potentially installed to provide the heating source.
Project Impacts (Community impacts)
As the project progresses there will be the following impacts:
Partial closure to the RV Friendly campground
Partial roadway closure to Hood Street (north side)
Partial roadway closure along Bentinck Street (east side)
There may be minor loss of heating to individual buildings as the pipework is replaced at the building. This would be minimal and timed to occur during summer when it is not being used.
Project Summary
In 1982 a geothermal heating loop was installed utilising geothermal water through a bore in Henty Park. The heating loop supplied hot water for heating to 13 buildings through an underground piping system 5km in length.
In 2006 the geothermal bore was decommissioned and replaced with two 1Mw gas boilers and reduced in length. It now services the municipal precinct consisting of 7 buildings, including the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre (PLACE).
The current pipeline is 35 years old and is in need of replacement. It has been recognised that utilising the pipeline as a heating loop is the most efficient heating option for the future.
The two 1Mw gas boilers were replaced in 2019 with more efficient 610kw condensing gas boilers. New technologies are being investigated to replace the gas boilers and will be completed at a later stage.
The pipeline replacement will be staged over consecutive years to spread the costs and reduce impacts to the connected facilities.
Benefits of the project (Community benefits)
Replacing the thermal loop will allow for the continued supply of hot water for heating the seven Council buildings connected to it.
It will reduce the current maintenance issues around leaks and breakages due to aging infrastructure.
The new pipes are expected to have a renewal life of over 30 years (current pipes have lasted 30+ years).
It allows one source of heating for all the buildings, reducing maintenance and running costs and allowing for more efficient equipment and technologies to be potentially installed to provide the heating source.
Project Impacts (Community impacts)
As the project progresses there will be the following impacts:
Partial closure to the RV Friendly campground
Partial roadway closure to Hood Street (north side)
Partial roadway closure along Bentinck Street (east side)
There may be minor loss of heating to individual buildings as the pipework is replaced at the building. This would be minimal and timed to occur during summer when it is not being used.
