Energy conservation using snow! In the summertime! Only in Hokkaido!

Although it's summer in Hokkaido, snow can still readily be found in many parts of the island. In fact, the ski season in central Hokkaido often runs well into June. 

I had the chance last week to see an exhibition on this wild, new concept of energy conservation benefits from snow. I say new because it is new for me, but it has apparently been used on a trial basis for over ten years and is now becoming more and more widespread in Hokkaido in government buildings, apartment complexes, and small agricultural and industrial operations. The basic concept is that snow kept at a very cool temperature will melt very slowly and can therefore function as a cooling resource. It can be stored in a room near a building it will cool, with air conditioning ducts and fans to circulate the cool air coming from the snow and the warmer air back into the "ice box". Alternatively, the snow is placed next to or on top of a product that it will maintain at a low temperature, farm products for example. Below are two graphics outlining the AC and refrigeration concepts.

Attached are graphics depicting the concept and a video of the air conditioning demonstration at the exhibition tent can be seen at my youtube site.

I think AC and refrigeration from snow are pretty cool ideas, but I wonder about the feasibility of hauling tons of snow around the large island and to other places of Japan in the summer time. Since it snows so much throughout Hokkaido in the winter time, opportunities for year-round storage will certainly exist within the island. However, it is also hoped that ice and snow will be able to trucked and shipped around the country from Hokkaido. I couldn't help but think of the old idea of bringing ice down fro Alaska to feed the thirsty CA Central Valley and other parts of the SW...

Below is a shot of an opening ceremony for a new snow refrigeration warehouse for agricultural goods!