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Ice-based air conditioning is becoming increasingly popular among some of the world’s leading corporations.A revolutionary new air conditioning technique using the power of ice is gaining traction among major global companies. Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse have switched to using large ice blocks instead of conventional air conditioning in several of their offices. Credit Suisse is considering expanding this system beyond its 1.9-million-square-foot Manhattan office to other locations worldwide, joining around 3,000 facilities that have already adopted ice-based cooling.
This system is not only more environmentally friendly but also significantly reduces utility costs for large corporations like Goldman Sachs, who installed the ice-based cooling system in their new flagship office. The system generates ice at night when energy is cheaper and temperatures are cooler, making it more efficient. The larger the gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures, the greater the energy savings. In Credit Suisse’s setup, ice forms overnight, and as it melts during the day, it cools the building via fans circulating air. By the end of the day, 51,200 gallons of water, stored in 64 tanks across three rooms, are ready to be refrozen. The ice-block system can also be integrated with traditional air conditioning, as seen in Credit Suisse's New York office.
The ice system functions like a highly effective battery, storing energy at night when it is less expensive and releasing it throughout the day. Ice is particularly well-suited for this task, holding up to three times the energy of water by volume. Additionally, it has a lower likelihood of malfunctioning compared to traditional systems.
The ice cooling system is both fascinating and energy-efficient, but it’s not an entirely new concept. In the 19th century, a Florida hospital used ice to cool patient rooms, and many home chemists have relied on ice to beat the heat. However, ice-based cooling systems are not typically found in residential homes. The cooling equipment requires considerable space and a substantial upfront cost—Credit Suisse invested $3 million in their system—but the investment is expected to pay off over time.
The state of New York, along with other state and local governments, is promoting environmentally-friendly infrastructure investments, sometimes offering incentives like tax breaks or grants. Pollution and waste produced by skyscrapers present significant challenges for large systems. Ice-cooling systems do more than lower electricity costs; by operating at night, they help reduce strain on overburdened electrical grids through a process called 'load shifting,' using energy during off-peak hours.
In the next section, we will explore additional alternatives to traditional air conditioning.
More Alternatives to Air Conditioning
Several companies, including Ice Energy, now offer products designed to complement or replace traditional air conditioning units to reduce overall energy consumption.Each year, heating and cooling systems in the United States release 300 billion pounds of carbon dioxide [Source: EMagazine]. Fortunately, the European Union has banned refrigerants used in some older air conditioners that damage the ozone layer, and they will also be prohibited in the U.S. by 2010. However, as the economies of India and China continue to grow, so does the demand for air-conditioning units that consume large amounts of energy and contribute to ozone depletion. In short, air conditioning is exacerbating global warming, but what can be done to make these systems more efficient? Should environmentally friendly alternatives replace traditional air conditioners? This section explores some of those options.
Ice Energy manufactures the Ice Bear, a device designed to work alongside conventional air conditioning systems. Similar to the large setup used by Credit Suisse, the Ice Bear operates indoors and at night when energy costs and temperatures are lower. The system produces a block of ice overnight, which is then used to cool the refrigerant during the day, instead of running the refrigerant through a condenser at peak hours, which requires much more energy.
Beneath the Jordan Quad Parking Lot at Stanford University, 360 miles of pipes run through a four-million-gallon tank of water [Source: Stanford University]. At night, subzero ammonia—a common refrigerant—flows through these pipes, freezing the water into large blocks of ice. This system, one of the largest in the U.S., then pumps cold water from the melting ice throughout the campus to cool buildings from noon to 6 p.m. Initially built in the mid-1970s, the facility did not include the ice stage, instead directly cooling water through campus pipes. However, a $22 million renovation in 1999 transformed the system, saving the university approximately $500,000 annually on energy bills.
Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, offer another eco-friendly alternative. These coolers do not rely on refrigerants but instead use the natural cooling effect of water evaporation to reduce air temperature. You’ve likely experienced this sensation after playing basketball or finishing a workout: although you feel hot initially, the evaporation of sweat cools your body. Evaporative coolers operate on the same principle. They consume minimal energy but do require maintenance and often need windows to remain open.
You may already be familiar with various alternatives to traditional air conditioning. Simple methods such as opening windows to create a draft and using fans are energy-efficient cooling techniques. In addition, proper insulation and strategically positioning your home to take advantage of natural wind currents can reduce or even eliminate the need for an air-conditioning system, especially if you live in a climate with mild temperatures.
If your home or office is equipped with an air conditioning system, there are still ways to optimize its efficiency. First, ensure your unit is modern and does not use ozone-depleting refrigerants. Always keep windows closed while the air conditioner is running, and consider using renewable energy sources, like solar panels on your roof. For window-mounted units, seal the gaps around them and opt for an energy-efficient model if you aren't transitioning to central air. Lastly, make sure your central air conditioner is properly sized for your space—an oversized unit will cycle on and off too frequently, wasting energy in the process.
