OMEGA Ice Banks are custom-made thermal energy storage systems that use OMEGA Laser Plate technology to generate ice during off-peak electricity hours.
The Ice Bank concept is based on freezing water on Laser Plates during lower-cost operating periods, such as nighttime, and then using the stored ice during the day to support indirect product cooling. As the ice melts, the resulting ice water can be used as part of a cooling process while reducing reliance on active cooling during higher-cost peak periods.
An OMEGA Ice Bank consists of a package of Laser Plates suspended in a water-filled container. The plates freeze the surrounding water, creating stored cooling capacity that can be used later in the operating cycle.
This approach supports applications where cooling demand, utility rate structure, or process timing makes thermal energy storage a practical consideration.
Because OMEGA Ice Banks are custom-made, final configuration, capacity, materials, and cooling medium selection should be evaluated based on the specific process requirements and system design.
Key Characteristics
- Custom-made Ice Bank assemblies using OMEGA Laser Plate technology
- Designed around thermal energy storage through ice generation and ice-water cooling
- Laser Plates are installed in a water-filled container to freeze water during off-peak periods
- Ice water can be used for indirect product cooling as the stored ice melts
- OMEGA lists Ice Bank capacities up to greater than 1,500 kWh per unit
- Source material identifies approximate ice build-up of 3/8 inch on both sides of each Laser Plate
- Listed cooling media include R717, CO₂, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, R22, R134A, and R404A
- Listed stainless-steel material options include 304, 316, SMO-254, and Duplex 2205
- Plate configuration is used as part of the Ice Bank design approach
- Compact Laser Plate-based design compared with pipe-style ice bank systems, as described by OMEGA
Ideal Applications
- Thermal energy storage systems for industrial cooling processes
- Indirect product cooling using stored ice water
- Cooling systems designed around off-peak ice generation and daytime cooling demand
- Custom refrigeration or process cooling systems requiring Laser Plate-based ice storage
- Applications where stainless-steel construction and specified cooling media are part of the design review
- Facilities evaluating cooling load management through custom Ice Bank assemblies
Related Products
OMEGA Thermo Products Industrial Ice Machine
OMEGA Thermo Products Falling Film Water Chiller
OMEGA Thermo Products Ice Bank