FAQs

1. WHAT IS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE (TES)?

TES is the storing of excess thermal energy (energy in a system due to its temperature) for future use.

2. HOW DOES YOUR THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM WORK?

The Viking Cold TES system leverages existing refrigeration equipment in low-temperature facilities to freeze Phase Change Material (PCM) when energy costs are lower and system efficiencies can be exploited. This allows intelligent controls to turn off refrigeration equipment during periods of high energy costs while the PCM maintains temperature stability and low energy consumption. The result is 20% to 35% lower energy costs, 38% greater temperature stability and more efficient, longer lasting refrigeration systems.

3. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE VIKING COLD SOLUTIONS TES SYSTEM?

Our Thermal Energy Storage system includes three components:

Phase Change Material (PCM)
Control System
Remote Monitoring & Reporting Portal

4. WHAT IS A PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM)?

Phase Change Materials (PCM) store and release energy when they transition between their solid and liquid states. While changing phases our engineered PCM absorbs 300 times more heat than food.

5. IS YOUR PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL SAFE TO USE?

All our PCM formulations are comprised of deionized water and inorganic salts. They are food safe, environmentally friendly, non-toxic and non-combustible. The entire system is also 100% recyclable.

6. ARE THERE ANY MECHANICAL PARTS IN YOUR TES SYSTEM?

No. There are no mechanical parts (pumps, motors, actuators, compressors, etc.) in our TES system. They leverage existing refrigeration equipment. The PCM is housed in self-contained cells mounted in stationary positions throughout the facility.

7. WITH WHICH REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS DOES YOUR TES SYSTEM WORK?

Our solution is refrigeration system agnostic and works with any properly maintained system.

8. WITH WHICH CONTROL SYSTEMS DOES YOUR TES SYSTEM WORK?

Our TES system is extremely flexible and can be integrated with any existing control system. We also have our own control system that can drive the refrigeration system in conjunction with our PCM.

9. DOES THE VIKING COLD TES SYSTEM AFFECT OTHER FREEZER COMPONENTS?

No. Our system actually integrates with existing racking systems, does not reduce any storage space, does not limit sprinkler or fire suppression systems, will not affect your commodity classification and will not impede or disrupt any logistical operations in your facility. In fact, the system’s controls and remote monitoring actually improve overall efficiencies and allow for predictive maintenance of other system components.

10. CAN YOUR SYSTEM BE INSTALLED INTO EXISTING FACILITIES (RETROFIT)?

Yes. Viking Cold systems can be installed as a retrofit, refurbishment or in new construction projects. The sooner they are installed, the sooner that facility will start to see reduced energy expenses, improved temperature stability and increased refrigeration system efficiencies.

11. WHAT ARE TYPICAL ENERGY SAVINGS?

Our clients save between 20% and 35% of their energy expenses while maintaining greater temperature stability.

12. DOES THE TES SYSTEM MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE STABILITY?

Yes. Our TES system is engineered to maintain temperature stability within the specific temperature range for each facility; providing fewer fluctuations and a 38% slower rise in temperatures.

13. CAN YOUR SYSTEM PROVIDE THERMAL BACKUP PROTECTION?

Yes. In the event of power outages or equipment failure, we have seen temperatures remain stable three times longer with our TES system installed.

14. DOES THE TES SYSTEM IMPROVE REFRIGERATION EFFICIENCY?

Yes. The Viking Cold system maintains stable temperatures while allowing the existing refrigeration system to be turned off for extended periods of time. When the systems are running, they run at full capacity at times when ambient temperatures are lower, enabling greater refrigeration efficiency and less energy usage. The reduced mechanical run time of the refrigeration equipment also leads to less maintenance and longer equipment life.

15. DOES YOUR SYSTEM INTEGRATE WITH ON-SITE SOLAR POWER GENERATION?

Yes. Our system pairs very well with onsite solar/PV generation to dramatically increase solar ROI. Our solar clients have seen a reduction of 39% annualized energy expenditures and 95% overnight grid reduction, directly addressing grid challenges related to the “duck curve”.

16. HOW LONG WILL YOUR SYSTEM LAST?

The life of the Viking Cold TES system is 20+ years.

17. HAS YOUR TES SYSTEM BEEN APPROVED OR VERIFIED BY ANY OUTSIDE PARTIES?

Yes. Our system installations have been accepted and funded by numerous utilities as part of energy saving incentive programs, as well as being proven effective in a third-party validation study (click here) performed by the California Energy Commission’s Emerging Technology Coordinating Council.

Still have questions about our Thermal Energy Storage solution?
Call +1 832.781.COLD or click for more answers.

Click Here

Recent Posts From Our Blog

Dairy Foods: Mechanization picks ups steam in dairy processing warehouses

Mar 25, 2021

A recent article in Dairy Foods Magazine highlights the mechanization and automation trends in dairy food production facilities. Topics include materials-handling automation, software upgrades, refrigeration optimization, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and how technologies will be integrated to maximize efficiency, traceability, transparency, storage density, optimal material flow, and to better manage warehouse labor in their operations. Viking Cold's VP of Sales & Marketing, Collin Coker, was interviewed along with other food production warehouse technology providers including LIDD, Tippman Group, Signode Industrial Group, Applied Net Solutions, Westfalia Technologies Inc., and Quest Industrial LLC.

Grocery Business Q&A: How Grocers Are Getting Smarter About Cold Storage

Mar 18, 2021

Winsight Grocery Busines editor, Christine LaFave Grace, discussed how grocery retailers are getting smarter about their cold storage assets with Viking Cold President & CEO, James Bell. Effects from the pandemic, digitalization, new technology advancements, and more are discussed. How is consumer behavior driving new store layouts and needs for additional refrigerated spaces that require temperature and energy optimization? How has sustainability been reprioritized since the start of the pandemic?

POWER: Distributed Generation Part of Puerto Rico Rebuild

Mar 02, 2021

POWER Magazine's Associate Editor Darrell Proctor recently published an article focused on the rebuilding of Puerto Rico's electrical grid after a number of devastating hurricanes including Hurricane Maria in 2017. "The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has embarked on a $20 billion plan to rebuild the island’s power grid. The initiative includes a commitment to generate 40% of the island’s power from renewable resources by 2025, and 100% by 2050. C&I enterprises using distributed power generation are a large part of the effort." The article highlights Viking Cold as one of the leading sustainable Distributed Energy Resources (DER) delivering cost-effective, reliable, and resilient power to the island's industrial and commercial businesses. Isla Frio, a cold storage company on the island, is building a new 147,000 square foot facility with Viking Cold's Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology to add hurricane-resistant food storage capacity to the island. The second phase of the project will include the addition of onsite solar power generation. The combination of renewables with the existing TES installed during construction will maximize the cost-effectiveness of their solar-plus-storage investment and help Puerto Rico meet its aggressive goals to add resilient renewable generation to the grid.