EN 02 - Ice Thermal Energy Storage for Sustainable Free Cooling System

With global temperatures rising and the demand for energy-intensive air conditioning systems increasing, the project aims to provide a renewable, cost-effective, and

sustainable alternative to conventional cooling. The project scope is to design and construct a solar powered ice thermal energy storage system that uses winter’s naturally cold temperatures to create and store ice which is then used to cool warm air during the summer months, eliminating the need for traditional air conditioning and reducing energy consumption.

The ice thermal energy storage system consists of a solar PV panel, charge controller, battery, fans, controlled air dampers, an Arduino microcontroller, temperature sensors, relay module, DC breaker, terminal blocks, data logger, DC converter and an LCD display module. The solar PV panel absorbs sunlight and converts it into DC electricity, which is stored in the battery. This stored energy powers the Arduino microcontroller and other system components including fans, servo motors for dampers, sensors, and the LCD display. The Arduino microcontroller plays a central role in system operation. It receives real-time data from temperature sensors and uses this information to control the fans and dampers. By doing so, it regulates airflow and ensures optimal thermal exchange. It also manages the activation of components based on programmed logic, making the system fully automated and responsive to changing environmental conditions.

The integration of the solar PV panel reduces the system’s carbon footprint and increases energy independence by eliminating reliance on the electrical grid. Additionally, the project includes an insulated ice storage tank, a copper tube heat exchanger, and a small, conditioned room. These components work together to cool warm air by circulating it through the copper tubes surrounded by ice, providing efficient and sustainable cooling without the use of traditional air conditioning systems. 

This project is designed to reduce electricity dependence during peak summer months and support a greener future by storing winter cold. The stored ice passively cools hot air by circulating it through copper tubes embedded in the ice, effectively lowering indoor temperatures without the use of compressors or refrigerants. The system is fully automated and responds to real-time data from multiple sensors. During performance testing, it successfully reduced the indoor temperature from 45 °C to 21 °C in just 390 seconds (6.5 minutes). In repeated trials, it consistently cooled the room from 24 °C to 21 °C within approximately 120 to 140 seconds, demonstrating fast response and efficient passive cooling.

The ice thermal storage system is especially important and beneficial in colder climates like Canada, where natural cold is abundant and underutilized. By capturing this resource in winter and reusing it in summer, the system demonstrates a practical application of seasonal thermal energy storage. This technology primarily benefits residential homes, greenhouses, cabins, and other small spaces by offering an off-grid, environmentally friendly, and efficient cooling method. Overall, the ice thermal energy storage system is a sustainable solution that reduces energy consumption for air conditioning and greenhouse gas emissions, helping protect the environment and mitigate climate change.