冷能儲存革命：IceBrick 系統助力加州實現碳中和目標

建築能耗占全美總電力消耗的74%，其中約一半用於調節建築內部溫度，成為建築和電網的最大負擔。為應對氣候變化及能源挑戰，Nostromo Energy 宣布推出其創新冷能儲存解決方案「IceBrick 系統」，這項技術將在助力加州實現清潔能源轉型及碳中和目標方面發揮重要作用。

根據美國能源資訊管理局（EIA）數據，加州是全美第二大能源消耗州。隨著加州政府致力於推進《淨零碳排放計劃》，州政府在2022年由加州空氣資源委員會發布了一項雄心勃勃的計劃：到2045年建設100%清潔能源電網並實現碳中和目標。這項計劃的落地需要各行業採取積極措施，特別是在能源密集型建築領域的創新解決方案。

Building energy consumption accounts for 74% of the total electricity consumption in the United States, about half of which is used to regulate the temperature inside the building, becoming the largest burden on buildings and the power grid. In response to climate change and energy challenges, Nostromo Energy announced the launch of its innovative cold energy storage solution "IceBrick System". This technology will play an important role in helping California achieve its clean energy transition and carbon neutrality goals.

Nostromo Energy 執行長 Yaron Ashery 表示：「控制冷卻能耗是實現這一目標的關鍵。IceBrick 系統通過在非高峰時段低價充電，在高峰時段釋放冷卻能量，能將冷卻成本降低50%以上。此外，每套系統在其壽命期間還可減少200至300公噸的碳排放。」

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), California is the second-largest energy-consuming state in the United States. As the California government commits to advancing the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Plan, the state government released an ambitious plan by the California Air Resources Board in 2022: to build a 100% clean energy grid and achieve carbon neutrality goals by 2045. The implementation of this plan requires active measures from all industries, especially innovative solutions in the field of energy-intensive buildings.

Yaron Ashery, CEO of Nostromo Energy, said: "Controlling cooling energy consumption is key to achieving this goal. The IceBrick system can reduce cooling costs by more than 50% by charging at low prices during off-peak hours and releasing cooling energy during peak hours. In addition, each system can also reduce 200 to 300 metric tons of carbon emissions over its lifetime."

冷能儲存：清潔能源轉型的關鍵創新

IceBrick 系統的核心技術在於利用水基溶液儲存能量。該系統在電力充足且清潔的時段進行冷凍，並在需求高峰時釋放冷卻能量以調節建築溫度。根據美國能源部（DOE）的介紹，IceBrick 系統不僅減少了高峰時段的能源消耗，還能在電力成本高昂且碳排放集中的時段有效降低負荷。

更重要的是，IceBrick 系統能夠作為虛擬電廠（VPP）運行，其嵌入的 Cirrus 軟體能協調多個能源資產，或以獨立模式運行，從而穩定電網，補充間歇性可再生能源的供應能力。這一功能對於支持加州實現100%清潔能源的目標尤為關鍵。

Cold energy storage: a key innovation for the clean energy transition

The core technology of the IceBrick system is to store energy using a water-based solution. The system freezes during times when power is plentiful and clean, and releases cooling energy to regulate building temperatures during times of peak demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the IceBrick system not only reduces energy consumption during peak hours, but also effectively reduces load during periods when electricity costs are high and carbon emissions are concentrated.

What's more, the IceBrick system can operate as a virtual power plant (VPP), with its embedded Cirrus software able to coordinate multiple energy assets, or operate in standalone mode to stabilize the grid and supplement intermittent renewable energy supply capabilities. This feature is particularly critical in supporting California’s goal of 100% clean energy.

美國能源部在其博客中指出，IceBrick 系統的負載轉移技術可提升電網的穩定性，同時為企業提供更具成本效益的冷卻解決方案。「該系統的全面應用有望顯著提升能源使用效率，並助力實現整個州的能源轉型目標。」

模組化設計：靈活適應多種建築需求

IceBrick 系統的模組化設計讓其能夠適應新建和現有建築，具有高度的靈活性。該系統由緊湊型模組單元組成，可根據不同建築的需求進行靈活配置，無論是安裝於屋頂、停車場還是地下室均可輕鬆實現。

「我們的系統可以通過熱交換器與建築的冷卻系統相連，並可實現並行或獨立運行，」Ashery 補充說。「安裝過程不需要關閉建築的暖通空調系統（HVAC），因此不會對日常運營造成干擾。」

此外，IceBrick 系統還具備極高的耐用性和可操作性，適用於各類商業建築，包括酒店、辦公樓、數據中心等。這一技術為建築管理者提供了靈活、高效的解決方案，能應對未來更多元化的能源需求。

The U.S. Department of Energy noted in its blog that the IceBrick system's load-shifting technology improves grid stability while providing businesses with more cost-effective cooling solutions. "The full application of this system is expected to significantly improve energy efficiency and help achieve the entire state's energy transition goals."

Modular design: flexible to adapt to various building needs

The modular design of the IceBrick system allows it to be adapted to new and existing buildings, providing a high degree of flexibility. The system consists of compact modular units that can be flexibly configured according to the needs of different buildings, whether installed on roofs, parking lots or basements.

“Our system can be connected to the building’s cooling system via a heat exchanger and can operate in parallel or independently,” adds Ashery. “The installation process does not require shutting down the building’s HVAC system, so there will be no disruption to daily operations.”

In addition, the IceBrick system is extremely durable and operable, making it suitable for all types of commercial buildings, including hotels, office buildings, data centers, and more. This technology provides building managers with a flexible and efficient solution that can cope with the more diverse energy needs of the future.

經濟效益與社會影響

除了在能源節約和碳減排方面的貢獻外，IceBrick 項目還將帶來顯著的經濟效益和就業機會。根據 Nostromo Energy 的估算，該項目在未來五年的建設期間將創造200多個直接就業機會，以及每年超過874個等效全職工作，包括承包商及相關服務崗位。

根據美國能源部的介紹，IceBrick 是其支持的第三個虛擬電廠項目，也是首個採用冷能儲存技術的案例。全面實現後，該項目將為全州範圍內的商業建築提供約170兆瓦或450兆瓦時的分佈式儲能容量。

「這項技術的經濟價值和環境影響雙重體現了其應用潛力，」能源部發言人表示。「IceBrick 不僅是未來建築冷卻解決方案的重要里程碑，更將成為可持續建築技術的典範。」

Economic benefits and social impact

In addition to its contribution to energy conservation and carbon emission reductions, the IceBrick project will also bring significant economic benefits and employment opportunities. Nostromo Energy estimates the project will create more than 200 direct jobs over the next five years of construction, as well as more than 874 full-time equivalent jobs per year, including contractor and related services positions.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, IceBrick is the third virtual power plant project it supports and the first to use cold energy storage technology. When fully realized, the project will provide approximately 170 megawatts, or 450 megawatt hours, of distributed energy storage capacity for commercial buildings across the state.

"The economic value and environmental impact of this technology demonstrate its application potential," a Department of Energy spokesman said. "IceBrick is not only an important milestone in future building cooling solutions, but will also become a model for sustainable building technology."

Working together to achieve a sustainable future

The launch of the IceBrick system not only marks a breakthrough in cold energy storage technology, but also sets a new benchmark for the building and energy industries. By embracing clean, sustainable solutions, Nostromo Energy is not only one step ahead in technological innovation, but also plays a key role in advancing the global energy transition.

攜手實現可持續未來

IceBrick 系統的推出不僅標誌著冷能儲存技術的一次突破，也為建築和能源行業樹立了新的標杆。通過採用清潔、可持續的解決方案，Nostromo Energy 不僅在技術創新上領先一步，還在推進全球能源轉型的過程中發揮了關鍵作用。

About Nostromo Energy

Nostromo Energy 是冷能儲存技術的領導者，致力於提供經濟、高效、可持續的能源解決方案，幫助企業應對能源挑戰，推動行業向淨零排放目標邁進。

Nostromo Energy is a leader in cold energy storage technology and is committed to providing economical, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions to help companies meet energy challenges and drive the industry toward net-zero emissions goals.

思享永續顧問服務公司的莊殷顧問認為，IceBrick系統展示了冷能儲存技術在解決能源與環境挑戰中的巨大潛力，為能源轉型提供了新的思路。目前該項技術大多集中使用於商業建築，未來若台灣能夠借鑒技術，並將技術擴展至住宅或工業設施，對於降低電網壓力與邁向淨零排碳會更加容易。 除了能夠促進能源轉型，或許也能夠擴大應用範圍，創造新的綠色就業經濟發展，為台灣企業打造更加具有韌性的價值。

Consultant Zhuang Yin of Scienjoy Sustainability Consulting Services believes that the IceBrick system demonstrates the great potential of cold energy storage technology in solving energy and environmental challenges and provides new ideas for energy transformation. Currently, most of this technology is used in commercial buildings. If Taiwan can learn from the technology and expand it to residential or industrial facilities in the future, it will be easier to reduce the pressure on the power grid and move towards net-zero carbon emissions. In addition to promoting energy transformation, it may also be able to expand the scope of applications, create new green employment and economic development, and create more resilient value for Taiwanese companies.