Grant: Alliance Grants

Canada's indoor hockey and skating arenas consume 3.5 billion kWh of energy per year, primarily to power refrigeration systems, but also for lighting, heating, and other operational needs. Given Canada's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, it is essential to reduce energy consumption in this sector. More than any other sport, hockey is greatly impacted by water chemistry. Factors such as the purity and mineral content of the water can influence the freezing point and hardness of the ice, while dissolved gases and bubbles formed during freezing can reduce its density. Therefore, we propose a direct correlation between the chemistry of the water used for making ice sheets and the energy needed for refrigeration to maintain the ice surface's quality and dryness. The Project has three primary goals: to optimize ice-making water for energy efficiency, explore the mechanical properties of ice for enhanced performance and energy optimization, and study the quality of snow residue from ice resurfacing. In partnership with Jet Ice, a leading Canadian company in ice-making innovation, we seek to increase energy conservation and reduce the carbon footprint of Canadian hockey arenas through understanding, discovery and knowledge innovation of water chemistry in ice-making. This includes achieving potential energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint through specific water treatment and purification processes. Our objective is to establish best practices for optimizing ice quality and energy use and demonstrate the interconnection between effective water stewardship and management and the energy demands of maintaining ice sheets throughout the season. By focusing on water chemistry optimization, arenas can achieve substantial energy savings, contribute to environmental sustainability, and provide superior ice quality, thereby enhancing the playing experience and minimizing their carbon impact. This Project not only impacts ice rink operations but also has the potential to strengthen Canada's reputation in sustainable sports infrastructure. Stakeholders from arena managers to sports governing bodies will access valuable, evidence-driven insights, encouraging technological innovation.