Advert by IAKS member Fluidra
Against a backdrop of growing pressure on water and energy resources, the Datapool platform, developed by Ecotropy, has become a pioneering solution for the smart management of swimming pools and aquatic sports facilities. Developed in France and now present in a growing number of municipal and sports complexes across Europe, Datapool uses digital twin technology to monitor, analyse and optimize the operation of facilities in real time. Thanks to this tool, managers can predictively reduce their water and energy consumption and improve the overall efficiency of the entire facility.
A platform that measures, analyses and optimizes. How does it work?
Datapool is based on three fundamental pillars: measure, analyse and act. First, it collects and centralizes data from meters, sensors and access control systems, providing accurate information on water, electricity and heat consumption and occupancy of the premises. The digital twin then continuously compares the data with actual usage conditions and predefined reference models. Finally, it translates this information into concrete actions that reduce consumption and improve operational efficiency, anticipating possible deviations such as leaks or overconsumption.
In addition, the system optimizes key variables such as indoor air temperature and humidity, factors that influence water evaporation and heat loss. By adjusting the air temperature from 26° Celsius to 28° Celsius and slightly increasing the humidity, it has been shown that evaporation can be reduced by up to 40%, which leads to a 5% reduction in the total balance cost of heating. This reduction in evaporation also represents a potential saving of up to 300 m³ of water per year.
© Datapool, Ecotropy, Fluidra, Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta
©Datapool, Ecotropy, Fluidra, Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta
The practical application of Datapool has already spread to leading aquatic centres in France, where the tool has delivered proven average savings of 20% in energy and 25% in water, as well as improved operational management and environmental comfort.
At the ‘Les Colliberts’ aquatic centre (Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon, Niort Agglo), which has two swimming pools and is heated by biomass and heating network, Datapool was integrated to optimize its operations. Thanks to the installation of energy meters, the attendance software and the fine-tuning of the air and water systems, savings of 18% were achieved without additional investment, and up to 40% is expected to be achieved with the full implementation.
At the ‘Léo Lagrange’ swimming pools in Nantes, one of the city‘s most iconic complexes, Datapool enabled a 22% reduction in energy consumption by readjusting temperature settings and air flow rates. Digital diagnostics also made it possible to detect deficiencies in air treatment and restore the system to its optimal performance.
Built as part of the Paris 2024 Olympic legacy, the ‘Annette Kellermann Aquatic Centre’ in Seine-Saint-Denis is another recent example. With more than 1,600 m² of water surface area and capacity for 1,900 users, Datapool was integrated from the design phase to define and control its energy objectives. The system will enable real-time verification of compliance with these goals and automatic adjustment of operating parameters, such as filtration cycles and water supply. It will also enable the reuse of water, treated by microfiltration for secondary uses.
©Datapool, Ecotropy, Fluidra, Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta
©Datapool, Ecotropy, Fluidra, Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta
Inspired by this pioneering model, the City of Barcelona has taken a decisive step towards the digitalisation and sustainability of its aquatic sports facilities.
Barcelona City Council, Fluidra and INDESCAT have launched ‘Model BCN Water Solutions’, an initiative that seeks to reduce water and energy consumption through advanced digital technologies.
The project has been implemented as a pilot test in five municipal centres, where digital twin systems have been integrated to control consumption and schedule predictive maintenance: CEM Banys de Sant Sebastià (Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta), CEM Bac de Roda, CEM Maresme, CEM Júpiter and CEM Can Ricart.
In 2024 Fluidra, a world leader in solutions for the aquatic sector, announced a strategic investment agreement with Ecotropy to promote Datapool in its aquatic projects and facilities around the world. With these initiatives and collaborations, this smart management model is beginning to cross borders, consolidating a new generation of connected, efficient and sustainable aquatic centres.
Authors: Ecotropy, DataPool, Fluidra, INDESCAT, Barcelona City Council
