Encouraging STEM, saving ice skating

[transmissionoftheflame]

Interesting.  Thanks.  An impressive document.  Would be curious to know if it has been used in any recent UK rink projects, and if not whether those involved used some similar best practice document.


I was only able to skim read it but what it didn't seem to cover was the investment required to bring about the impressive energy cost savings, both in a new build (perhaps more efficient methods and materials are more expensive to buy and build and maintain) and when considering replacing existing equipment  and structures in an existing rink.  That has to be a key piece of information in any decision - will I get my initial extra investment back over the realistic expected life of the rink and any equipment in it?

[black]

Thank-you Canada! (published July 2013)
https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy/efficiency/buildings/research/publications/16002
(Makes sense seeing how it's the country with the most ice rinks!)

There's a section on the life cycle on various components, so you could weigh up pros and cons over a longer timeline.
The issue we have at the moment is energy security; we do not know what the electric prices will be next year, in 5/10 years time.

Three things came to mind regarding all/direct CO2 rinks:
1. All that metal pipework will cost a fortune initially.
2. Pressures of 100 bar (1,450 psi) Need to update that saying, "I'm a bomb/rink technician.. If you see me running try to keep up."
(that's like, equivalent pressure, being 1 kilometer under the sea)
3. Long term safety; ultrasonic testing?
1st 100% CO2 rink was built in 2010, Marcel Dutil Arena in Quebec.
1st in Europe, 2014 Gimo ice arena in Sweden.
I wonder what checks they do?
While there have been many transcritical CO2 systems setups installed, I'd still be cautious.
Think of this recent case with the new trains; lucky they spotted it when they did; as the Scottish engineer David Kirkaldy said, "Facts not Opinions".

[black]

--------------------------------------------------
27. Compressors; page 28 in the Hockey Federation ice rink guide lists the compressor as 47% of the total electric usage!
Regardless of the type; reciprocating, screw, scroll, all these compressors seem to run literally directly off of the motor.
Physically they are not that much bigger than an electric motor, since mostly that is what they are; and here is the point:
What if I said, "design me a more efficient compressor, that fits inside an ice rink building" - what changes would you make?
Remember that Archimedes quote - “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.”
And think of pulley systems, where heavy weights can be lifted with much less effort; see where I'm going with this?
What if the compressor cycled slower; but had a bigger chamber, and using a mechanical advantage, used a lower wattage.
Yes, it would be bigger overall in size, but the saving would be in the MWh/year costs; also it would almost certainly run quieter too.

--------------------------------------------------

[black]

Speaking of ice alloys (#5. Pykrete, & #10. Barium Sulfate) I saw this thread on a different skating forum;
https://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=8835.msg106366#msg106366


Mentions this product -> https://www.icemax.info
Looks like it helps ice to form more quickly, and at warmer temperatures; interesting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowmaking#Ice_nucleation-active_proteins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudomonas_syringae

[transmissionoftheflame]

Very educational; thanks. I didn’t know such things existed.

[black]

--------------------------------------------------
28. Just following on from compressors; perhaps they're missing a trick here.
If you look at a 'refridgeration cycle' diagram, there's an expansion valve on the opposite side to the compressor.
Think of regenerative braking; instead of 'just a valve' - why not use that energy to get some power back?

--------------------------------------------------

[black]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published the following document (30th August 2023)

Get Active: a strategy for the future of sport and physical activity (112 pages)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-active-a-strategy-for-the-future-of-sport-and-physical-activity

Within it does mention the need for energy efficiency in UK's sports facilities.
(Note, the only mention of ice rink activities is on page 48 / or in PDF; page 52, where there is a picture of curling)

Feel free to have a read, but personally I found it rather disappointing; I expected something better.

[transmissionoftheflame]

I have found sport and physical activity a great boon in my life and never miss an opportunity to recommend them to others. I also think that in so far as we’ve chosen to outsource the education of our children in the main to the state, it’s helpful to make good provision for such things in schools. I am however far from convinced that the state has any business spending my tax money on anything that tries to nudge adults into a particular way of living their lives.

[black]

--------------------------------------------------
29. Payments - in terms of card providers, definitely shop around + read ALL the small print; it’s a fee minefield!
FYI: Since January 2018 businesses are not allowed to add surcharges to payments types that incur fees.
Transaction fees are (often) higher for online, than in-person payments, this is due to risk.
If so, encouraging your customers to “book online” means the rink pays more in card fees.
Note this recent HMRC forum post; (speak to an accountant) transaction fees are a tax deductible expense.
I mentioned here about the idea of a cash ’change receipt’ possibly printed as a QR code, to be redeemed later.
Using Faster Payments, or a standing order (short/long-term subscriptions) would mean no card fees.
You could have unlimited public/patch monthly plans, or a top up membership card that you ad hoc transfer funds to.

--------------------------------------------------
30. Staff/Layout - Combine the reception office with the skate hire room; separate counters facing outward, and inwards.
Staff could walk between the two with a few paces; useful for low staffing, or surge times; more sociable too.
Also staff should be paid more, but offer more than a basic/minimum service; more ‘skating concierge’ attitude.
They would provide both helpful/valuable skating, & local area knowledge (some may already do this).
Consider ‘the atmosphere’ of a place; it’s the friendly people; create a place that people want to return to.
Also, curved spectator seating, (like the Greek & Roman amphitheatres) because no one wants a crick in the neck.

--------------------------------------------------

[transmissionoftheflame]

I love the ideas for staff - a lot of scope there all round for happier staff and customers- it’s something that is currently done poorly in my experience with little imagination from management.
The staff at Roller City in Welwyn rotate between checking tickets, skate hire and stewarding on the rink. Notably as a group they are a fair bit older and longer serving than your average leisure centre staff - I expect there is a reason for that.

[black]

Who knew it was National Fitness Day today? Not me.

BBC article published today; How can the UK's inactivity crisis be tackled?
It mentions the above UK Gov Get Active strategy.

Interestingly it includes ideas from UK Active's Unlocking the Potential report.
Within it details (page 12) about VAT/Tax reform proposals.
Was just talking about this earlier, VAT/Tax on sports; how does 20% off sound?

UK Gov's main issue is that people don't believe it anymore; they've seen too much bad.