When large companies go green, they have to get creative. And in the summer, when air-conditioning digests enough energy to seriously stress out enviro-friendlies, Big Business has recently turned to a winter resource to cool their buildings: ice.
Digital Journal — At One Madison Avenue in New York City, high finance meets high-tech environmentalism. The Metropolitan Life Tower may not look like a paragon of green-energy alternatives, but the building’s primary tenant is going above and beyond expectations by recently implementing a new air-cooling system using ice. Who knew investment banking firm Credit Suisse would be at the forefront of green energy?
This innovative ice-cooling system works quite simply: Water is frozen in huge tanks at night. The cool air is then shuttled through the building much like normal air conditioning. Imagine a massive fan blowing cool air off these blocks of ice, allowing office workers to feel this chill air without the expense of a high-cost electricity. The company saves money but also helps the environment in area sorely lacking useful alternatives.
Where’s the green benefit? According to the New York Times, an ice cooling system at a 1.9-million-sq.ft. office like Credit Suisse in Manhattan is as beneficial for the environment as pulling 223 cars off the street.
The MetLife Tower is one of many New York buildings employing this green alternative. Morgan Stanley’s offices on Fifth Avenue and the new Goldman Sachs headquarters will also use ice cooling during their sultry summer months. Keeping workers comfortable in the coming years will definitely be a factor for New York summers — recent data suggests between 30 and 70 days of the year in New York will be 90 degrees or hotter by the end of this century.
But this technology doesn’t work for every company. If a corporation is in start-up mode and doesn’t have the investment to inject into an ice-cooling makeover, this might not be the best idea. After all, Credit Suisse spent $3 million (US) to upgrade its cooling system, but few corporations have that kind of capital. Then again, many proponents would argue Credit Suisse is saving electricity expenses in the long run.
Using ice may not be ideal for everyone, but New York City’s experiment should be heralded as an alternative gone right. Just like many new technologies, as more companies adopt ice-cooling the price of installation will likely drop, and progressive city councils may even offer rebates on implementing this kind of green solution to air conditioning.
When the summer heat reaches its peak, environmentally friendly corporations are seeking ways to keep their workers happy and keep the planet healthy. It’s a delicate balancing act, but a system like ice-cooling proves there are viable alternatives out there, just waiting to be grabbed. If cost is stopping a critical mass, let’s hope this idea becomes adopted by a majority of business leaders so even the little guys can benefit from this solution.
