Hospitals Embrace ‘Ice Batteries’ for Sustainable Cooling Solutions
Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, has adopted an innovative cooling system that utilizes ice as a sustainable alternative to traditional air conditioning. Every night, the hospital freezes approximately 74,000 gallons (280,000 liters) of water, which is stored in 27 tanks and used to maintain comfortable temperatures in operating rooms and patient areas. This approach, known as thermal energy storage or “ice batteries,” is gaining traction across the United States as a way to reduce energy consumption and emissions associated with conventional cooling systems.
The technology allows buildings to harness off-peak electricity, which is typically less expensive, for freezing water at night. The following day, as the ice thaws, it cools circulating water that absorbs heat from the indoor environment, creating a comfortable atmosphere without straining the electrical grid. This method not only lowers energy costs but also alleviates pressure on utilities during peak demand hours.
Trane Technologies, a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling equipment, has reported an increasing demand for ice battery systems, particularly in schools, commercial spaces, and government buildings. Another company, Nostromo Energy, is targeting data centers, which have substantial cooling requirements due to their energy-intensive operations.
Advantages of Ice Thermal Energy Storage
The installation of ice batteries at Norton Audubon Hospital has proven financially beneficial. According to hospital officials, energy costs dropped by $278,000 in the first year following the system’s implementation in 2018. Over the years, the combination of ice batteries and other energy-saving measures has led to savings of nearly $4 million since 2016.
Anthony Mathis, a sustainability executive at Norton Healthcare, expressed enthusiasm about the technology’s impact, stating, “The technology has been awesome for us.” He noted an increasing interest from other facility operators in adopting similar systems as awareness of the benefits grows.
Experts emphasize that ice thermal energy storage is an effective option for various commercial buildings looking to reduce electricity demand. While some facilities utilize lithium batteries to store energy generated by renewable sources like solar and wind, ice batteries are often viewed as a safer alternative, particularly in sensitive environments such as healthcare facilities and senior living homes, where lithium batteries may pose fire risks.
Meeting Growing Energy Demands
The demand for effective cooling solutions is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, especially in light of increasing temperatures and the proliferation of data centers powered by artificial intelligence. A report from the Department of Energy highlighted that data centers consumed over 4% of the United States’ electricity in 2023, with projections indicating this figure could reach 12% by 2028.
Yoram Ashery, CEO of Nostromo Energy, emphasized the importance of ice batteries for data centers, stating, “Data centers are very energy-hungry and about 30% to 40% of their energy use is for cooling … that’s where a solution like ours could really help.” Nostromo Energy is currently in discussions to install its systems with several large data center operators.
California is leading the market for ice thermal energy storage technology, primarily due to its reliance on solar power during daylight hours and the transition to fossil fuels like natural gas after sunset. This dynamic creates an opportunity for ice batteries to provide cooling during peak demand periods in the late afternoon and evening.
Joe Raasch, the chief operating officer at Ice Energy, another company specializing in ice thermal energy storage, noted that “a lot of utilities are really interested in this type of load-shifting technology.” He explained that summer months typically see the highest operational costs for utilities, driven by cooling demands.
As facilities like Norton Audubon Hospital showcase the potential of ice batteries, the movement towards sustainable cooling solutions may gain momentum, addressing both economic and environmental challenges posed by climate change.
