Seasonal ground cold energy storage potential for data center cooling using thermosyphon: A comparative study of five cities in Canada for carbon footprint reduction

Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF), using two-phase-closed-thermosyphon (TPCT) device, is an emerging technique for storing the cold energy of the winter season in the ground. The stored energy can later be used in the summer season for data center cooling, building comfort, etc. However, this energy storage potential has not been quantified so far. This study is conducted using an experimentally validated numerical model that simulates the ground freezing phenomenon in five Canadian cities over a 2 -years period for 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% soil porosity. Each city offers a different energy storage potential based on ambient conditions and soil porosity - ranging from 3.31 - 23.19 MWh per TPCT, annually. In addition, up to 4,851 kg of carbon footprint can be reduced per TPCT in each city. This study examines and ranks the cities based on the potential for cold energy storage and associated carbon footprint for new and commissioned (already operating) cooling -intensive facilities. Yellowknife is ranked number one for commissioned cooling -intensive facilities and Montreal is ranked number one for new cooling -intensive facilities. It also provides a pre -feasibility guideline for selecting the geographic location to implement the novel idea in cities with similar weather conditions. A new parameter, carbon emission efficiency, is also introduced and used for ranking.