Assessing the Integration of Sustainable Cooling Technologies in Southern California Ice Arenas

Abstract

Ice rinks use massive amounts of energy, much of which is derived from conventional power sources like coal, oil, and natural gas [1]. This energy use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further accelerating climate change. To address this issue, this study aims to find ways to integrate more efficient–and thus more sustainable–cooling technologies in ice rinks. A key focus of this work is redirecting wasted energy from the ice cooling process back into the cycle, lowering the energy from outside sources and potentially producing a self-sustaining cycle. Not only does this energy redirection decrease emissions of harmful gasses; it also lowers the operational costs of cooling the ice rink [2]. This paper compares three promising sustainable cooling technologies: waste heat recovery, atmospheric water harvest, and low-emissivity glass. Each technique was assessed using criteria including upfront and operational costs, feasibility based on current technology, amount of energy produced or recycled, amount of energy needed to run the technology, and distinguishing factors unique to the cooling technique itself. Based on findings, the recommended technology to install out of those investigated is the plate heat exchanger due to cheaper upfront cost, relatively higher energy efficiency, and flexibility in changes and maintenance during operation.