Ice Arenas have a complex energy mix, with a core need to maintain the ice pad, whilst ensuring an inviting atmosphere for spectators, by controlling temperature and humidity in the arena, and providing large amounts of potable hot water for showers and general amenities.
There are two tiers of high temperature available through the heat recovery feature of low temperature battery chargers.
Tier 1, High temperature water @ 90 deg C, Energy available = 980 KWht. Approximate volume of water @ over 80 deg C, would be 8K litres.
Tier 2, Medium temperature water @ 30 deg C, Energy available = 1.6MWht. for background heating etc.
Maintaining ice condition by removing 120kW of thermal energy over a period of 10 hours, would deposit, 1,680KWh of thermal energy in the EnergiVault.
While the banking process in in operation, the total thermal energy emitted is approximately 150KW x 14hrs = 2.1MWt
Refrigeration compressor power consumption is 74KW, indicating a COP of approximately 1.8:1 (cooling), and 2.1:1 (heating).
Operation : For an ice arena to benefit from the “free-heat", unlikely coincidences need to prevail.
Storing hot water is not a viable option!
The energy density of hot water is prohibitively low when compared to EnergiVault's energy density of 54 KWHt / M3.
This means that huge storage tanks would be required. Such huge tanks not only need housing, they would also sustain significant thermal losses to atmosphere through their large surface areas.
Poor energy density and the associated storage problems would suggest the “free-heat” is only available while the refrigeration system is actually running.
EnergiVault allows much more flexibility as the system allows the user to choose the thermal-battery charging times.
It is presumed, charging periods would be chosen to occur whenever the “free-heat” is required.
EnergiVault’s technology is a dynamic and unique approach, reduces operating costs, and allows complete integration with all other renewable sources.
EnergiVault’s banking capacity can be enlarged at any time, to store sufficient thermal energy to power an ice pad for more than 16hrs.
This capability , coupled with further storage by fitting a small affordable lithium battery bank, the arena could run entirely of roof top solar.
In addition to solar, EnergiVault can optimise the value of a wind turbine ensuring that “wrong-time-energy” never occur.
Installing a larger battery charger is always an option and can pay good dividends when banking only occurs below pre-determined price thresholds.
Sometimes, the wholesale price of energy is negative, falling as low as “Minus £13.00”, viewed on our monitor only last month (May 2020).
Coupled to all the above attributes, owning an EnergiVault system is access to the many financial rewards connected to responsible energy users.