Augsburg relies on ice storage

24.04.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Stadtwerke Augsburg is equipping a new office building with an ice storage system to supply heating and cooling.

Stadtwerke Augsburg (SWA) is developing the energy supply in a new office building in Augsburg-Göggingen with an ice storage facility as the central energy storage system, a photovoltaic system and charging infrastructure for electric cars.

The focal point is an ice storage facility with a total volume of around 600 cubic meters of water. This is housed in two underground tanks beneath the underground parking garage. The ice storage technology is not new, but is rarely used on this scale, the company states on its website. "In Augsburg, this is the first ice storage system in an office building of this size".

Energy is extracted from the water in winter via spiral pipes, causing it to freeze. This energy is used to heat the building via a heat pump. In summer, the stored ice can be used to cool the rooms - an energy-efficient alternative to conventional air conditioning systems.
Heat and cold are distributed via concrete core activation, with pipes running through the ceilings. A recooler is also installed on the roof for peak loads. The entire system is continuously monitored by a camera-supported monitoring system. Changes in operating behavior can thus be detected at an early stage to ensure optimum operation.

There is also a PV system with an output of 120 kW on the office complex. According to SWA, the special feature here is the in-roof system: the modules are integrated into the roof, which protects the structural shell and at the same time leaves space for a green roof. The solar power generated is used entirely in the building. SWA primarily uses it to power the heat pumps, and it also supplies up to 66 charging points in the underground parking garage for electric vehicles.

Author: Stefan Sagmeister