The Alpentherme Gastein heats climate-neutrally 975 solar panels generate solar power for six heat pumps.

With the new photovoltaic system, which was put into operation in the summer of 2023, the Alpentherme now produces the electricity for the operation of the six heat pumps itself. 975 solar panels were installed over the summer on a roof area of 1,900 m2.

Solar energy for a sustainable future

400 kWp of solar energy is produced, which is efficiently utilized. The surplus heat energy from the summer months is fed into the district heating network. However, the unique feature lies clearly in the intelligent energy mix. In addition to the photovoltaic system and the six heat pumps, the naturally warm thermal water also makes a significant contribution to energy efficiency. With a temperature of 47 degrees, the Gastein thermal water bubbles from the depths of the mountains and enters our numerous pools, where it is cooled down to bathing temperature. Therefore, it does not need to be heated from 0 to bathing temperature, as in some other thermal spas. In the Alpentherme, the water is only kept at temperature - saving a lot of energy.

Thermal water helps to save energy

And the best part: even for the water that is no longer needed, we find a use: Unused thermal water is collected in our own retention basins. For example, the wastewater from our radon thermal baths or the therapy pools in the health center. Or the water from our pool overflows and the thermal water wells. This water is reused for heat generation and heats our thermal spa. The heat pumps of our thermal water bathing lake alone produce up to 1 megawatt-hour of energy, which we can use directly.

Reducing CO2 emissions, lowering energy costs

Numerous modernization works were already implemented in 2020 after an intensive planning phase. This included the adaptation of the entire system hydraulics and pool ventilation, including the enlargement of the heating registers. By adapting the system hydraulics, it is now possible to generate a large part of the required heat energy using low-temperature heat pumps. Thus, recovered thermal energy sources are used, and energy generation costs are reduced. In 2020, the Alpentherme already saved approximately 82,000 euros annually. At the same time, a CO2 reduction of almost 370 tons per year was achieved.
 

In addition to the new photovoltaic system, the Alpentherme also benefits from the exchange of the heat pump and the expansion of thermal water utilization. Thus, through the measures taken in 2023, the district heating demand can be further reduced by 180 megawatt-hours. This results in an additional CO2 saving of 45 tons of CO2 per year, adding up to a total saving of 415 tons of CO2 per year. We continuously monitor energy consumption in real-time on our monitoring screen. This allows us to identify and correct energy hogs immediately. It is constantly monitored and optimized. 2.5 million euros have been invested in energy efficiency measures so far.

The further goal is to operate the Alpentherme as a "Zero-Emissions Spa." The entire heat supply should be done with electricity from renewable energy sources.