The Sundsvall Regional Hospital snow cooling plant—results from the first year of operation

During the summer of 2000, the Sundsvall Regional Hospital (central Sweden) required 655 MW h of comfort cooling with a maximum cooling power of 1366 kW. Of the cooling demand, approximately 93% was attained by the use of 19,000 m3 of snow stored from the winter. The majority of the snow/ice was natural while the rest was artificially made with snowguns and a hose. The snow was stored in a 140×60-m shallow pond of watertight asphalt. A 0.2-m layer of wood chips thermally insulated the snow. The operation of the plant experienced only minor problems. Luleه University of Technology is responsible for the scientific evaluation of the project. This paper compiles the results and experiences of the snow cooling plant during the first year of operation in 2000.