Ice energy: prospects for the use of artificial firn-ice masses to generate electricity

Abstract

The problem of the fossil fuel depletion can be solved by means of searching, developing and using of alterna‑ tive energy sources. One of them is the use of thermogradient power plants, which are operating by the tem‑ perature difference of the ocean water near the surface and at great depths. But using of these plants is usu‑ ally limited by technical issues, and energy expenditures on the rise a large volume of water from the ocean depths. These problems can be solved using the natural cold accumulated in the artificial firn-ice massifs on the surface of the Earth. The application of a long jet sprinkler system makes possible for a day to create the firn-ice massifs with a height of over 10 meters. Relatively small number of sprinklers may be sufficient to freeze for the cold period a quantity of the firn-ice masses weighing millions of tons. Daily freezing pro‑ ductivity is approximately 75 tons of ice in recalculation per 1 degree of the air negative temperature. This method provides accumulation of huge reserves of natural cold, which can be stored for a long period of time with the use of thermal insulation. When freezing the firn-ice masses at the air temperature of −15 °С, 1 ton of firn requires energy of 0.5 kW·h, which is 190 times less than it is necessary for melting 1 ton of ice. The use of artificial firn-ice masses will accelerate the development and introduction of thermogradient power plants, and not only in the marine areas.