Abstract
Global warming is causing increased temperatures and reduced snow cover, which threatens the
possibility to exercise winter sports activities near populated areas in the future. Temperature
Independent Snow (TIS) production can contribute to increase the snow reliability for winter sport.
However, this method is very energy intensive and to reduce operational costs the use of heat
instead of electricity as energy source is a potential solution.
Absorption appears to be most promising among the possible heat driven refrigeration technologies.
Heat supply temperatures can be as low as 85-90°C, which opens the possibility for using district
heating. Calculations showed that a thermally driven refrigeration system for TIS production is more
than twice as energy intensive compared to using electricity and will depend on low energy costs to
be competitive.
The review of potential heat sources shows that there is a potential for utilization of district heating
and industrial waste heat. District heating is the most prevalent and about 40 % of the identified
winter sport facilities are in municipalities where this is offered. However, low temperatures and lack
of available heat are potential challenges. Industrial waste heat exists in large quantities at sufficient
temperature levels but is less co-located with the winter sports facilities. Furthermore, there are
important factors related to cost and technology, which can limit the potential for utilization.
possibility to exercise winter sports activities near populated areas in the future. Temperature
Independent Snow (TIS) production can contribute to increase the snow reliability for winter sport.
However, this method is very energy intensive and to reduce operational costs the use of heat
instead of electricity as energy source is a potential solution.
Absorption appears to be most promising among the possible heat driven refrigeration technologies.
Heat supply temperatures can be as low as 85-90°C, which opens the possibility for using district
heating. Calculations showed that a thermally driven refrigeration system for TIS production is more
than twice as energy intensive compared to using electricity and will depend on low energy costs to
be competitive.
The review of potential heat sources shows that there is a potential for utilization of district heating
and industrial waste heat. District heating is the most prevalent and about 40 % of the identified
winter sport facilities are in municipalities where this is offered. However, low temperatures and lack
of available heat are potential challenges. Industrial waste heat exists in large quantities at sufficient
temperature levels but is less co-located with the winter sports facilities. Furthermore, there are
important factors related to cost and technology, which can limit the potential for utilization.