California Ice Exploration

Eleven Southern California municipal electric utilities are exploring the use of ice storage to help reduce peak electricity demand during hot summer months, given that 70% of this demand is due to air conditioners. The electric utilities are working on the installation of 10 ice-storage air conditioners at various test sites dotted throughout the State. Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) is putting forward USD 100 000 to purchase and install systems. The proposed systems use lower priced off-peak electricity at night instead of at the more expensive peak electricity prices during the day and the air conditioner stores "cool" energy in the form of ice. According to SCPPA's Executive Director, Bill Carnahan, "shifting the load from on-peak to off-peak hours can significantly lower costs to our customers, conserve energy and reduce air pollution". For more information: http://www.ice-energy.com