GTD Helps Implement Ice Storage Technology at the Guiana Space Centre

The Stockage Froid project is now fully operational at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), marking a major step forward in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

GTD, in collaboration with ESA, CNES, Europropulsion, Entropie, and Equans Belux, has successfully deployed this innovative ice storage system, which is already optimizing air conditioning energy consumption at CSG. This is a critical achievement, given that cooling systems account for 60% of the site's total energy use.  

An Innovative Approach to Energy Management Now fully implemented, Stockage Froid is revolutionizing the cooling process at CSG’s Bâtiment d’Intégration Propulseur (BIP), where Ariane and Vega solid propellant propulsion systems are integrated. Instead of relying solely on traditional cooling methods, the system produces large ice reserves during off-peak hours, when electricity is greener and more affordable.

These ice blocks are then used to cool the facility during peak demand periods, significantly reducing the reliance on energy-intensive cooling units.

How It Works

• Ice Production: Water is cooled and solidified into giant ice blocks in eight storage tanks (totaling 48m³), using a low-carbon heat transfer fluid.
• Smart Energy Use: The ice is created at night or when there is surplus solar energy, making full use of renewable electricity.  
• Cooling on Demand: During peak electricity hours, the ice gradually melts, providing cooling without requiring energy-intensive chillers, thereby reducing power demand on an already heavily used grid. Impact and Benefits.
• Energy Savings: Now operational, this system will reduce Europropulsion’s air conditioning energy costs by 22%.
• Lower Carbon Footprint.
• Emission Reduction: The system contributes to significant CO₂ reductions, supporting ESA and CNES’s goal of achieving 90% renewable energy use at CSG by 2030.
• Scalability & Future Applications: Beyond the CSG, this successful deployment paves the way for expanding ice storage technology in large-scale industrial facilities, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional battery storage for energy management.