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.

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Recent Posts From Our Blog

FoodDive.com – New tools transform frozen food energy costs into revenue streams

Oct 23, 2019

Energy is one of the most expensive ingredients in frozen foods. What changes in the electricity market are changing to favor the industry and why? What technologies can enable new energy strategies to take advantage of these changes to avoid costs and actually generate revenue streams? Find out these answers and more in FoodDive's article that discusses why utilities are incentivizing energy efficiency and energy storage technologies for the frozen food industry.

Viking Cold Named Platinum Winner of Cleanie Award's Project of the Year

Sep 24, 2019

Viking Cold is honored to be the Platinum Winner of The Cleanie Awards Project of the Year for our storage and demand management project with Massachusetts utility Eversource. The awards program recognizes innovation excellence, business leadership, and superior programs within the cleantech and renewable energy sectors. The project involved the installation and commissioning of TES systems to store refrigeration energy and facilitate 1.3 MW of energy demand reduction across eight customer facilities, without requiring any additional real estate for the system components. The average size of the cold storage facilities in the program is approximately 50,000 square feet, with the largest being 157,000 square feet. The end-user customers of the program included Sysco (the world’s largest foodservice distributor), Americold (the world’s largest third-party cold storage company), Greater Boston Food Bank, and multiple frozen food processing companies.

ASHRAE Journal - Achieving Resiliency in The Cold Chain: Strategies To Maintain Food Safety

Sep 23, 2019

ASHRAE Journal, the official publication of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has published an article outlining the resiliency benefits of thermal energy storage (TES) in commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. Temperature controlled food storage facilities have a number of risks that come from the increasing number of extreme weather-related power outages or from refrigeration system breakdowns. The ASHRAE article also describes additional benefits such as energy efficiency, improved temperature stability, and increased energy management options for facilities with TES.